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Saturday, October 14, 2023
Behavioral and Social Sciences Distinguished Alumni
2004 Distinguished Alumni
Michael A. Messner
BA Social Science, Class of 1974
MA Sociology, Class of 1976
Honor Year: 2004
Dr. Michael A. Messner is a professor of sociology and gender studies at the University of Southern California, where his research and teaching have focused on gender and sports, gender-based violence, and men and feminist politics. Messner’s thirteen books include most recently It’s All for the Kids: Gender, Families and Youth Sports (2009), King of the Wild Suburb: A Memoir of Fathers, Sons and Guns (2011), and Some Men: Feminist Allies in the Movement to End Violence Against Women (2015). He has written more than 100 other publications and has delivered many invited lectures and keynote addresses. Messner has won numerous honors, including the 2011 Abby J. Leibman Pursuit of Justice Award from the California Women’s Law Center, for his work in support of girls’ and women’s sports, and the 2012 Jessie Bernard Award from the American Sociological Association, for his career research contributions to understanding women and gender relations.