Lillian Trager

On April 15, 1947, Lillian Trager was born to William and Ida Trager.  At age 11, her family spent six months in Nigeria, which began her interest in the nation socially, economically, and politically.  She received her undergraduate degree from Cornell University and continued her education at the University of Washington.  Her master's program research in 1971 was on migrant workers in California.  She received her doctorate from the University of Washington as well, researching the economic systems in Nigeria.  Her dissertation, entitled “Yoruba Markets and Trade: Analysis of Spatial Structure and Social Organization in the Ijesaland Marketing System,” was published in 1976.  Doctor Trager then traveled and spent time researching in the Philippines from 1978 to 1979, working with Dr. T.G. Mcgee at Australia National University and conducted related fieldwork through Ateneo de Manila University in Dagupan City, Philippines.

Lillian's career at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside began in 1975 when she was appointed as visiting assistant professor.  She eventually became a tenured professor and was the chair of the Sociology-Anthropology Department from 1987 to 1989.  She married Dick Ammann in 1977, and he traveled with her on multiple occasions.

Trager continued her research in Nigeria, and she put together an exchange program that connected the UW Parkside faculty with faculty from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), previously known as the University of Ife, in the Osun state of Nigeria.  Professors from UW Parkside taught in Nigeria, and Nigerian professors taught at UW Parkside.  Two of these professors were Dr. Richard Olaniyan and Agbo Folarin. Dr. Olaniyan taught in the History Department at Parkside. Agbo Folarin designed the mural entitled, “Diversity of Creation Myths,” which was presented and placed in Wyllie Hall of UW Parkside in 1994. Both became close friends of Trager, and they visited each other many times throughout her life.  

From December, 1998 to January, 1999, The Center for International Studies at UW-Parkside offered a study abroad trip to Ghana. The trip was organized by Lillian Trager and James Stills, who was an instructor at Gateway Technical College and an adjunct instructor at UW-Parkside. Highlights of the trip include the Ghanaian capital of Accra, as well as a visit to Kakum National Park.

In 2001, Trager published her book, Yoruba Hometowns: Community, Identity, and Development in Nigeria.  This was the culmination of her professional research in Nigeria, and its focus was on the connections the Ijesa Yoruba people had with their hometowns.  These connections were crucial in the development and growth of some smaller towns, including places like Iloko in the Osun state of Nigeria.  Her work revolved around marketplaces, community celebrations, and community development.

Lillian traveled, visited, lived, and researched in Nigeria many times throughout her life, collecting photographs, interviews, and video footage.  She worked with parts of Nigeria and southeastern Wisconsin to create lasting connections through academic programs.  Her book has become a valuable resource for many, and her contributions to the field are undeniable.  Doctor Lillian Trager was a professor of anthropology-sociology at UW Parkside until her death from pancreatic cancer in 2006.