Deirdre Cooper Owens

About the Author

Deirdre Cooper Owens is a distinguished historian and scholar whose work illuminates the intersections of race, gender, and medicine in American history. With a PhD in history, she has dedicated her career to uncovering the often-overlooked stories of marginalized communities, particularly through the lens of reproductive justice and medical ethics. As an associate professor and director of the Humanities Center at the University of Connecticut, Owens blends rigorous research with compelling narrative to challenge conventional historical narratives. Her acclaimed book, Medical Bondage: Race, Gender, and the Origins of American Gynecology, exposes the brutal exploitation of enslaved Black women in the development of modern gynecology, earning praise for its unflinching examination of systemic racism and sexism. Owens continues to advocate for inclusive scholarship, contributing essays and lectures that bridge academia and public discourse on health disparities.