Sterilization and Social Justice Lab

Sterilization and Social Justice

All requests for information or general queries can be directed to this contact form.

The Sterilization and Social Justice Lab is an interdisciplinary research team studying the history of sterilization in the United States. Our multi-institutional team includes historians, epidemiologists, and digital humanists. We explore patterns and experiences of eugenics and sterilization in the 20th century using mixed methods from the social sciences, humanities, and public health. Initially focused on California, our project now includes Iowa, Michigan, North Carolina, and Utah. We connect this history to reproductive, disability, and racial justice, as we reflect on the relevance of the past to social justice today.

Recent and Upcoming Talks

Sterilization and Social Justice Lab. "Regional Reflections on Eugenics: Midwest Convening." University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign. 3 September 2021. Online.

Kate O'Connor. "Madness in Michigan: Eugenic Sterilization in Michigan's State Mental Hospitals, 1929–1952," in "Eugenic and Racial Thinking." American Association for the History of Medicine. 14 May 2021. Online.

Belly of the Beast Film Screening and Roundtable Discussion. University of Iowa. 28 March 2021 – 3 April 2021; Roundtable 30 March 2021, 7 PM CST. Online.

Jacqueline Wernimont. "Possibilities and Perils of Collections as Data: Lessons from Eugenic Rubicon." Louisiana Digital Library as Data Speaker Series. 14 December 2020. Online.

Marie Kaniecki, "California's 20th Century Eugenic Sterilization Program: Patterns of Coercive Sterilization Among Asian Immigrants," in "1103 — The Demography of Race and Racism in the American Past." PAA 2021 Annual Meeting. 5–8 May 2021. Online.

Natalie Lira, Venus Gines, and Azadeh Shahshahani. Dignidad para migrantes Town Hall: A discussion on eugenics, health injustices and human rights violations at U.S. ICE detention centers. 6 October 2020. 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM EST. Online.

Select Media Coverage

News, articles, and opinion pieces related to, referencing, or utilizing the project.

Erin McCormick. "Survivors of California's Forced Sterilizations: 'It's like my life wasn't worth anything.'" The Guardian. 19 July 2021.

James Felton. "California to Pay Millions in Compensation to Victims of Its Forced Sterilization Program." IFLScience. 15 July 2021.

Emily Galpern. "Victory for Reproductive Justice in California: New Budget Includes Reparations for Survivors of Eugenic Sterilization." Biopolitical Times. 13 July 2021.

Daniel Trotta. "California to Compensate People Forcibly Sterilized Under Eugenics." Reuters. 13 July 2021.

Amanda Morris. "'You Just Feel Like Nothing': California to Pay Sterilization Victims." New York Times. 11 July 2021.

Susy Chávez. "California Approves $7.5 Million Budget Request to Provide Reparations to Survivors of State Sponsored Forced Sterilizations." California Latinas for Reproductive Justice. July 2021.

See more media coverage...

Scholarly Publications

Peer-reviewed monographs, reports, and articles by research team members.

Alexandra Minna Stern. "Forced sterilization policies in the US targeted minorities and those with disabilities – and lasted into the 21st century." The Conversation. 26 August 2020.

Kerime Alejo, Ivan Saucedo, Fatima Valerio, and Dr. Natalie Lira. "Behind the Board: Eugenic Sterilizations in North Carolina." 5 June 2020.

Nicole L. Novak, Natalie Lira, Kate E. O'Connor, Siobán D. Harlow, Sharon L. R. Kardia, and Alexandra Minna Stern. "Disproportionate Sterilization of Latinos Under California's Eugenic Sterilization Program, 1920–1945." American Journal of Public Health 108, No. 5. May 2018. 611–613.

Alexandra Minna Stern, Nicole L. Novak, Natalie Lira, Kate E. O’Connor, Siobán D. Harlow, and Sharon L. R. Kardia. "California’s Sterilization Survivors: An Estimate and Call for Redress." American Journal of Public Health 107, No. 1. January 2017. 50–54.

See more publications...