Anita Morgan

Anita Morgan, 68, passed away unexpectedly on September 24, 2026.

She was the daughter of Max Bowman and Faye (Merrill) Bowman. For two decades, Anita shared her life with Jerry Morgan. Before his passing, they enjoyed going on long road trips and cultivating a large backyard garden. She loved to do genealogical research in her spare time. Anita was an enthusiastic attendee at her grandson’s cross-country and track meets and was always eager to help with any family needs. She was a fan of Purdue Athletics and enjoyed attending shows at Beef and Boards with her partner, Jim. As a mother, a son could not have asked for anything more – she was the best. Anita’s family and loved ones will miss her very much.

Anita graduated high school from Clinton Central and attended Purdue University, where she earned four degrees: B.S., M.S., M.A., and a Ph.D. in US History. Before completing her Ph.D., Anita worked as an academic advisor at Purdue. Once she earned her doctorate, she taught at IUPUC, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, and at IUPUI. She worked at IUPUI for two decades, becoming a Senior Lecturer while teaching American and Indiana history. Her research focused primarily on Indiana and women’s history. Anita’s book, “We Must Be Fearless”: The Woman Suffrage Movement in Indiana (2020), was widely praised. She was a featured speaker at the Indiana State House in 2020 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Indiana’s ratification of the 19th amendment to the Constitution, giving women the right to vote. Anita was also a cofounder of the Hoosier Women at Work conference. For the Indiana Association of Historians, she served on the board 2014-2016, as Vice President 2016-2017, and as President 2017-2018.

Anita received numerous honors for her work, including three high-profile awards in 2020. That year alone she received the Indiana Historical Society’s Dorothy Riker Hoosier Historian Award for distinguished contributions to the world of historical scholarship, the Jacob Piatt Dunn Jr. Award for best article in Traces of Indiana and Midwestern History, and the Indiana University Bicentennial Medal for her professional efforts.

At IUPUI she was frequently recognized for her teaching. She received the IU School of Liberal Arts Outstanding Faculty Award 2010-2011 and numerous Favorite Professor Awards from the Department of Athletics.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Indiana University Indianapolis Department of History: IU Indianapolis History Department Fund: IU School of Liberal Arts.

Anita is survived by; her partner, Jim Kinsey of Carmel; her son, Jeremy Hackerd (Christy) of Bloomington; her grandson: Teddy Hackerd of Bloomington; her sisters, Kim Sanborn (Keith) of Westfield and Lori Wardlow (John) of Westfield; her nephew and nieces, Ben Sanborn (Iana), Cassandra Sanborn (Tim Loyer), and Claire Wardlow; her step nephew and niece, Daniel (Raye-Lynn) Morgan and Rachel Morgan; her grand niece and nephew, Cirilla Sanborn and Rowan Sanborn.

Anita was preceded in death by; her husband, Jerry Morgan; her parents, Max and Faye (Merrill) Bowman.

Anita's family will host a celebration of life ceremony for her on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 2:00 pm. Family, friends, colleagues, and former students are welcome. It will be held at; Westfield Lions Community Center (1101 E. 169th St. Westfield, IN 46074) Behind the State Farm Office.