Sarah Woolfolk Wiggins Doctoral Dissertation in Alabama History Award
The Wiggins Doctoral Dissertation in Alabama History Award honors former AHA president, editor of The Alabama Review, and first female faculty member of the University of Alabama history department Sarah Woolfolk Wiggins (1934-2020). The $1,000 award is presented in odd-numbered years and recognizes a master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation completed at any institution of higher education in the last two years focusing on Alabama history.
Nominations for the 2027 Award
Dissertations or theses defended in 2025 to 2026 are eligible for submission and should be sent as a PDF file to:
Dr. Ben Severance
Auburn University Montgomery
The deadline for submission is December 31, 2026.
The award winner will be notified as soon as possible and invited to receive the award in person at the 2027 annual meeting in Montgomery, Alabama (April 8-10) at the annual awards banquet on Friday, April 9.
Past Winners
2025: David Chase Stephens, Auburn University
“To Obstruct and Resist: Paradise v. Allen, Integration Efforts, and the Alabama State Troopers”
2022: Melissa Young, University of Alabama
“Magic City Jews: Integration and Public Memory in Birmingham, Alabama, 1871-1911”
Donate to the Award Fund
Please mail a check to:
Alabama Historical Association
Pebble Hill
Auburn, AL 36849
Or click the link below to make an online contribution.