In the fall of 2020, Emma Hayes was asked by Katie McIntyre, her previous professor and advisor, if she would be interested in working on a research project as an independent study. The project involved Hayes using newspaper archives and census records to research Black women who signed a 1916 document in support of suffrage at the Congdon Street Baptist Church in Providence. Hayes then contributed biographical sketches about the women which will be featured in a collection about African American suffragists and activists.

During her final year at University of Rhode Island, Hayes took inspiration from the research experience and created a podcast about historical and modern feminists to serve as her final honors project. Combining scholarship from both of her majors, Communications Studies and Gender and Women’s Studies, Hayes’ podcast tells stories about women who made historical changes through a platform that easily reaches audiences and are narrated in a digestible manner. Hayes also worked as an intern with the Providence Preservation Society writing blog posts about preserving communities as well as buildings.

Along with being honored with the Center for Humanities Excellence Award, Hayes has also been awarded with the Eleanor M. Carlson Award for outstanding achievements in academic excellence and contributions to the University.