Fellow Focus: Mercedes Sarah

2024-25 Undergraduate Humanities Honors Fellow and History and English & Creative Writing double major Mercedes Sarah recently graduated from Emory University and will return to Northern California to pursue a career at the intersection of communication, community, and storytelling.

In this conversation with Communications & Outreach Coordinator Karl-Mary Akre, Mercedes discusses her thesis project's focus on a family of Miwok women in Northern California during the 20th century and writing in a social environment.

KARL-MARY AKRE: Could you give me a brief introduction of your thesis project?

MERCEDES SARAH: My thesis project is a family and women’s history about a family of Miwok women in Northern California during the 20th century. My project examines personal archives and oral histories to contextualize one family amidst a larger history of indigenous life in California. ⁠

How would you say the interdisciplinary environment of the Fox and the fellowship has impacted your project?

My fellowship at the Fox Center has exposed me to other students’ work and their approaches not only inspire me, but also validate my own ideas that push past the conventions of a history thesis. ⁠

What has been your favorite part of the fellowship so far? 

Because writing and researching is such a solitary and isolating process, I would say there’s nothing like being able to come together with others who know exactly how you’re doing. Being able to see people on campus and ask them how they’re doing is so valuable. It makes the process feel less isolating and more meaningful because, sometimes, doing things alone makes you wonder why you’re doing it. ⁠
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Also, I use the Fox Center as a space a lot, and I’ve found that it has become a strong, generative environment for writing my thesis. One that is restful, quiet, and allows me to be more productive than anywhere else on campus.

This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.