Laura Louise Plummer is a native of Derry, NH, who will graduate in May 2007 with a dual major in Spanish and international affairs. During the summer of 2006, Laura traveled to Puerto Rico with a grant from the University of New Hampshire’s International Research Opportunities Program (IROP) to study the tradition of the Quinceanero. She became interested in the topic and in global women’s issues after taking a class with Dr. Julia Rodriguez. Laura credits the IROP grant for putting her on the fast track to a career in research and feeding her passion for learning about other cultures. The summer’s experience taught her that spontaneity and risk can lead to great opportunities, and that persistence pays off. In her professional future, Laura aspires to write for a public outreach or advocacy magazine with a focus on women’s rights and eating disorders; travel the world; and live in Scandinavia because of the respect she has for their social politics.
A member of the University of New Hampshire’s history faculty for seven years, Dr. Julia Rodriguez is an associate professor specializing in Latin American history, women’s history, and the history of science and medicine. In addition to mentoring Laura Plummer, she has previously mentored several other students, including a McNair scholar. Dr. Rodriguez greatly enjoyed the experience of working with such a smart, motivated student, as well as watching Laura grow as both a student and researcher. She was most inspired by Laura’s commitment to learning more about the world and making it a better place.
Read Laura Louise Plummer's research article, Quince Años: The Transition to Womanhood in Puerto Rican Culture >>
