From Our Eyes – Tracing History and Ideology: A WIRE Research Journey with the DAR in World War I

This edition of From Our Eyes features Amala Rajagopal (‘25 History and Philosophy, Women’s and Gender Studies minor), one of the 11 student fellows who participated in the inaugural Wilkinson Interterm Research Experience (WIRE) during Interterm 2025. This immersive program provided students with the skills and experiences necessary to excel in academic research. Rajagopal’s research project focused on the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and their activities during World War I.  

(left to right) Amala Rajagopal (‘25 History and Philosophy, Women’s and Gender Studies minor) and Dr. Jennifer Keene (History) collaborating at a WIRE workshop in January 2025.

One of my biggest goals for my years in college was to conduct my own research. Over January’s Interterm, I participated in the inaugural Wilkinson Interterm Research Experience (WIRE), a 4-week research project alongside 10 other students. I spent the month with Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Dean Jennifer Keene (History), researching the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), their activities during World War I, and their contribution to the changing “America First” ideology.

I was also introduced to different development workshops oriented on academic professionalism, which provided me with the tools for conducting historical research, producing and publishing an academic article, career and graduate school resources, and presenting my work. I got a deeper look into what an academic career could look like for me and how to ensure my research found a place in greater academic conversations.

In addition to the professional development workshops, the other WIRE fellows and I worked with each other to discuss our projects and how they were coming along. I found it very helpful to work with other students on similar research timelines. Although our research focused on different areas, I received suggestions and perspectives that I had not considered myself.

Throughout the month, I found myself deeply immersed in the history of the DAR. I was introduced to the DAR when I was conducting research for my senior thesis, and became curious about their organization and values. I found a lack of scholarship on the organization and the role that patriotic women’s organizations played in promoting national rhetoric. One of the most interesting sources I used was the DAR’s magazine archive, focusing on the years of 1915-1917 and examining articles and images from the organization and its chapters.

Working with Dr. Keene for this project was incredibly enriching; she supported me throughout this process and helped me improve my research skills and become a more confident historian.

A few months after WIRE, I had the opportunity to present my research at the National Conference for Undergraduate Research (NCUR) in Pittsburgh, PA. There, I presented a poster presentation to students, faculty, and members of the public, giving them a summary of my research and inviting questions about the subject. It was an eye-opening experience, as my guests ranged from other historians and history buffs to those less familiar with the discipline, and even individuals with relatives in the DAR! I found a lot of joy in teaching the visitors about the subject, and the comments I received helped me recognize the areas that people found the most interesting and what I could develop further in my work.

→ Read the entire article on the Chapman University website.
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