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About Karla

Karla J. Strand is an experienced researcher, writer, and information specialist. Like many genealogists, Karla began researching her family history as child when assigned a school project. She was lucky to have relatives who valued (and often recorded) her family's Norwegian and German backgrounds. Karla has always cheered for underdog and fought injustice on the playground, in the classroom, and in her studies throughout her adolescence. She's been queer and a feminist for as long as she can remember. She was enthralled with the South African anti-apartheid movement as a high school student, a humble fascination that would prove to be a major influence into her adulthood.

Karla's love of history led her to a bachelor's degree focused on US history and women's studies from Carroll College (now University) in Waukesha, WI. While at Carroll, she also received an advanced certificate in Civil War Studies under the supervision of Lance Herdegen, centering on the roles women played in slavery and the war. Karla began working at the Carroll Library and went on to receive her Master's in Library and Information Science from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

In 2009, Karla began her doctoral studies and achieved her dream of visiting South Africa for the first time. Seven years and as many South African trips later, she received her doctorate in information science from University of Pretoria. Karla's dissertation focused on the roles public libraries played in alleviating information poverty in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa, and it was during this time that her love of oral histories blossomed as she interviewed librarians and library users for her research.

After leaving Carroll, Karla became the fifth Gender and Women's Studies Librarian for University of Wisconsin-Madison, a position serving the entire UW System since 1977. Karla has returned to her research interests from her undergraduate years and focuses on the active roles white women play in white supremacy. Most recently, Karla is examining the part they play(ed) in the attempted genocide of Native American peoples through child removal, boarding schools, foster care, and coerced/forced sterilization efforts. She is currently working on her formal genealogical certification. See a recent copy of Karla's CV here.  

Karla is also a freelance writer and a regular contributor to Ms. Magazine online and in print. For Ms., Karla focuses on books by historically excluded writers as well as the work women do to fight for liberation and justice every day. From political analyst Zerlina Maxwell and poet Andrea Gibson to Civil Rights activist Joanne Bland and Senator Elizabeth Warren, Karla interviews women who are making a difference. Karla has also written for Sierra: The Magazine of the Sierra Club, The Progressive, Canadian Journal of History, Foreword Reviews, Journal of American History, Gay and Lesbian Review, Knovvmads, Pulp Magazine, Farewell Alarms, The Ascent, The Startup, Resources for Gender and Women's Studies: A Feminist Review, Fearless She Wrote, and others.  

Karla is excited to use her decades of research, experience, skills, and leadership to now offer historical research, writing, and genealogical services outside of the academy through Origins Historical Research, LLC.