Cindy Cohen Karlan, B.A. 1991
Volunteer Docent at the Illinois Holocaust Museum – Skokie, IL
1991 Major: History and Anthropology
How has being a History graduate from Duke helped shape you personally and/or professionally?
"I spent much of my time studying gender, race, and class while majoring in history and anthropology. I chose to get certified and my master’s degree in elementary education so that I could teach young children not to be sexist, racist, or classist. I taught elementary school for a few years as well as several summers at the Duke-TIP program. Now I am a docent at the Illinois Holocaust Museum where I teach adults and school groups about the Holocaust as well as other genocides and human rights violations. I use my degree every day when I read and write, but also when I walk into the museum."
What advice would you give students in Duke's History programs?
"The ability to write and think critically is one of the most important lessons you can get from a history degree. Also, make sure to take a minimum of one class outside of Western civilization."
