Written by Abigail Dotzler | Photos by Salmai Valadez, Olivia Acton Photography Jennifer Thibodeaux, professor of <a href="https://www.uww.edu/cls/academics/history">history</a> at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, uses her passion and expertise to inspire her students and advance her field.  Thibodeaux’s latest book — “J’Accuse: A Medieval Crime and the Servant Girl Who Changed History” — embodies her commitment to history and to making the study of history accessible to all.    <img src="images/mmr/news/2026/11Nov/headshotjennifer.jpg" alt="Portrait photo of Shanell Haines." width="400" align="left" style="padding: 0px 40px 20px 0px;" />Thibodeaux always loved women’s and gender history. During her years in graduate school, medieval gender history as a field began to find its footing. With the encouragement of her professor and mentor, Thibodeaux pursued a career as a medievalist and a gender historian.  Pictured left: Jennifer Thibodeaux. (Olivia Acton Photography) After publishing two scholarly books focused on the medieval perception of masculinity and the clergy — including “The Manly Priest: Clerical Celibacy, Masculinity, and Reform in England and Normandy, 1066-1300,” published by the University of Pennsylvania Press — Thibodeaux wanted to return to the study of medieval women.  In 2017, Thibodeaux began her research for “J’Accuse” in the departmental archives of Rouen, France. She discovered judicial charters that told the story of Jeanne Corvière, a 15th century woman who relentlessly pursued justice and, against all odds, won her case.  “I’ve never encountered a story like it,” Thibodeaux said.  The level of detail in the court record was unlike anything Thibodeaux had seen in a medieval document. As she followed Corvière’s story through the archives, Thibodeaux found a plot full of twists, a man determined to escape justice and a young woman who refused to be silenced.  Thibodeaux wanted to bring Corvière’s story to a public audience. She had written her previous books for a scholarly audience — fellow historians with a foundation of expertise — but “J’Accuse” needed to be more accessible.  “We [historians] bring stories to the public, but we also need to do it in a way that’s accessible…for people who might just be interested but don’t have that level [of knowledge that historians do],” Thibodeaux said.  “I want to see us start to write more for the public, to educate the public because we have a lot of knowledge to share.”    <figure><img src="images/mmr/news/2026/11Nov/classroom.jpg" alt="Students in classroom with Jennifer." width="100%" /> <figcaption> Jennifer Thibodeaux, professor of history and chair of the Department of History, teaches History 200: Historical Methods on Oct. 14, 2026, in Hyland Hall on the UW-Whitewater campus. (UW-Whitewater photo/Salmai Valadez) </figcaption> </figure>   By sharing her research and expertise with the public, Thibodeaux is working toward correcting common misconceptions about women in the Middle Ages and breaking patterns that continue from the 15th century to the present.  “J’Accuse” follows Corvière’s story with a level of care, expertise and passion that <a href="https://www.uww.edu/ubc/our-stories/great-teaching">UW-Whitewater professors embody</a> in all aspects of their work — from research to writing to mentoring their students.  As a <a href="https://www.uww.edu/ubc/our-stories/proudly-first-generation">first-generation college student</a>, Thibodeaux provides her students with uniquely practical advice and living proof that they can accomplish their ambitions.  “Mainly I just want to show them that you’ve got so many opportunities in life,” Thibodeaux said. “I just feel like I’m there to assist them in really learning to think and write and love what we study.”  She pushes her field toward new heights and greater accessibility while training the next generation to make history. Carving time between semesters for research trips, Thibodeaux carefully balances her writing, research and teaching.  Whatever path Thibodeaux’s students take — whether a career in education, research or another field entirely — they are well-trained to think, to evaluate evidence and to advocate for the truth, just as Jeanne Corvière did almost 600 years ago.  “J’Accuse” was published by Godine Press on Oct. 13, 2026.  More information about the book and how to purchase it can be found on <a href="https://jenniferwriteshistory.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Thibodeaux’s website</a>.