Lola Van Wagenen Today: History, Activism, And Public Education

Lola Van Wagenen built a multifaceted career as an American historian, consumer activist, and documentary producer, distinct from her early years in the public eye. While online speculation often links her name to abstract political or cultural trends, her actual legacy is rooted in rigorous academic research, environmental advocacy, and public history education. Understanding her impact requires looking past internet fluff to examine her concrete contributions to historical scholarship and non-profit leadership.

Born in Utah in 1938, Van Wagenen resumed her formal education later in life, earning degrees from Vermont College and New York University, culminating in a Ph.D. in American history. Her professional trajectory demonstrates how academic research can directly inform public advocacy. Rather than chasing fleeting headlines, she spent decades establishing institutions designed to make history and environmental education accessible to everyday citizens.

Academic Research and Historical Scholarship

Van Wagenen's academic work focused heavily on the complexities of women's rights in the nineteenth-century American West. Her doctoral dissertation at New York University explored the intersection of politics, religion, and suffrage.

Published as Sister-Wives and Suffragists: Polygamy and the Politics of Woman Suffrage 1870–1896, the book examines how Mormon women navigated political enfranchisement in Utah.

• Rigorous Archival Focus: Van Wagenen analyzed primary sources to uncover how nineteenth-century women organized politically long before the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment.
• Challenging Simple Narratives: Her research detailed the pragmatic political negotiations surrounding the 1870 Utah franchise rather than relying on generalized historical assumptions.
• Public Recognition: In 2012, NYU's Graduate School of Arts and Science honored her scholarship with the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award.

Her scholarly output bridged the gap between niche academic circles and public understanding, proving that historical texts could illuminate ongoing conversations about civic participation.

Environmental and Consumer Advocacy

Long before sustainability became a corporate buzzword, Van Wagenen engaged directly in grassroots environmentalism. In 1970, she co-founded Consumer Action Now (CAN), an educational non-profit that focused on consumer habits and environmental protection.

• Early Energy Conservation: CAN mobilized public interest around energy efficiency and renewable resources during a period of rising industrial pollution.
• Policy Engagement: Her expertise led to appointments on federal advisory boards, including the U.S. Office of Technology Assessment's Task Force on Appropriate Technology in 1977.
• National Commission Work: In 1979, she served on the National Commission on the International Year of the Child.

These roles allowed her to translate environmental science into actionable public policy discussions, influencing how communities thought about resource management and consumer responsibility.

Clio Visualizing History and Media Production

Recognizing that traditional academic texts often failed to reach broader audiences, Van Wagenen co-founded Clio Visualizing History, Inc. in 1995. The organization uses digital media, online exhibits, and documentary films to bring hidden stories from America's past into classrooms and living rooms.

• Documentary Projects: She served as an executive producer on historical documentaries, including Miss America: A Documentary Film for PBS and The State of Marriage.
• Educational Outreach: Clio transitioned into a non-profit structure to support curriculum development and interactive digital resources for students and educators.
• Philanthropic Support: Alongside her husband George Burrill, she has continued supporting educational access through scholarship funds at institutions like Champlain College.

Through Clio Visualizing History, Van Wagenen ensured that historical education adapted to modern digital formats without sacrificing academic integrity.

Common Misconceptions About Lola Van Wagenen

Because celebrity culture often overshadows individual professional achievements, internet searches frequently mischaracterize public figures from past decades.

• The Name Confusion: Automated content farms frequently mix up historical biographies with modern political commentary, generating clickbait titles about unrelated events.
• Beyond Hollywood: While early public attention stemmed from her marriage to actor Robert Redford, her career as a historian and activist spans more than five decades of independent public service.
• Active Retirement: Rather than seeking political office, Van Wagenen focused her later years on historical preservation, philanthropy, and educational stewardship.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lola Van Wagenen best known for?

She is primarily recognized as an American historian, the co-founder of Consumer Action Now and Clio Visualizing History, and the author of Sister-Wives and Suffragists.

Did Lola Van Wagenen write books on women's history?

Yes. Her doctoral research at New York University focused on nineteenth-century suffrage dynamics, resulting in her published book on polygamy and the politics of woman suffrage.

What was Consumer Action Now?

Co-founded by Van Wagenen in 1970, Consumer Action Now was a non-profit organization that educated the public on environmental conservation, energy efficiency, and responsible consumer practices.

Is Lola Van Wagenen involved in filmmaking?

Yes. She worked as an executive producer on several documentary films, including projects for the PBS American Experience series and feature documentaries addressing legal and social history.