Dr. Erica Hayden, an assistant professor of history in Trevecca’s Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, will soon be able to place her own book on her bookshelf.
Hayden’s book, based on her doctoral work, was recently accepted for publication. The work, titled “A good deal troublesome”: Female Crime and Punishment in Antebellum Pennsylvania, tells the story of women imprisoned in the 19th century and their refusal to be victims of the system.
For Hayden, the upcoming publication has been a long time coming.
“It’s been a long process to go from this academic paper to something that’s more widely accessible,” Hayden said. “I’ve spent the years after my graduation revising, going through new research, refraining my arguments, taking out lots of background literature that for a book you don’t need but you do for a dissertation.”
In her book, Hayden really tried to capture the spirit of rebellious, intelligent women that were working the court and prison systems and using the norms of their time in their favor to ease the pain and stress of their incarceration.
“Along their entire criminal career, you see these women really working and trying their best to not be voiceless,” Hayden said.
Hayden’s book is focused on American society—specifically Pennsylvania—and explores the theme of crime and redemption through the lens of 19th century social expectations.
“I was interested in how crime and punishment affect women in particular,” Hayden said. “Especially, in a time period where women were supposed to be seen as docile, submissive, quiet, passive and not committing crimes. So when women did commit crimes, they were seen as monsters and so far-fallen that they couldn’t be redeemed.”
Hayden’s research for the book, which included studying more than 6,000 court cases, challenged that concept, Hayden says.
“The women I was reading about in my work were really trying to challenge those expectations,” she said. “They were breaking down the notion of an ideal woman.”
Getting the book published was a daunting process, one year in the making. The work has undergone peer revision and Hayden says there’s still more to be done before the final copy is ready. She expects it to be another year before she can hold a printed copy in her hands.
Hayden credits Trevecca as a key factor in furthering her research pursuits.
“Over the past few years, there’s been this push to emphasize research on this campus,” she said. “[Through] FLARE projects, Student and Faculty Research Symposiums, there’s been a push to make research a more central part of the academic experience.
“I think that having that research university culture has resulted in inspiring to me because I want to be a part of it,” Hayden continued. “It’s something I am passionate about.”
By Hilda Elvir
Media contact: Mandy Crow, mmcrow@trevecca.edu, 615-248-1695