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“Life is not all sunshine”

Viola Nesfield Owen papers by Audrey Altman Preserving the history of poor and rural women is a mission of the Iowa Women’s Archives, but it can be challenging because these women rarely leave detailed records of their lives. That’s why we were so excited to receive the papers of Viola Nesfield Owen, donated by GaryContinue reading ““Life is not all sunshine””

Cards from Christmases Past

By Christine Vivian, SLIS student and IWA student assistant   One of the lovely surprises of The Iowa Women’s Archives is the number of collections which contain holiday cards, such as the Shirley Briggs Papers. Briggs, an artist and naturalist, created a new hand-drawn card every year for over 50 years. Receiving one of theseContinue reading “Cards from Christmases Past”

Thanksgiving in Osage, 1950s-style

In 1950, Joyce Horton was a junior at the University of Iowa studying speech pathology. She was active in the Foreign Students Association, a group she really enjoyed. A few weeks before Thanksgiving she wrote a letter to the newspaper in her hometown of Osage, Iowa, suggesting that residents invite these students to spend ThanksgivingContinue reading “Thanksgiving in Osage, 1950s-style”

Shirley Briggs and the Iowa Connection to “Silent Spring”

  Fifty years ago, Rachel Carson published “Silent Spring,” a lyrical and compelling book about how DDT and other pesticides were damaging the environment and human health. The book called for a change in the way humankind viewed the natural world and became an inspiration for the environmental movement. One of Carson’s staunchest advocates andContinue reading “Shirley Briggs and the Iowa Connection to “Silent Spring””

Biographer of Mary Louise Smith to read on November 10th

As part of the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Iowa Women’s Archives, Suzanne O’Dea will read from her new biography of Archives co-founder Mary Louise Smith and take questions about her research for  the book.   Join us for coffee and pastries at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 10th, in the North Exhibition HallContinue reading “Biographer of Mary Louise Smith to read on November 10th”

Vicki Ruiz to present keynote lecture at The Latino Midwest symposium

Of Poetics and Politics:  The Border Journeys of Luisa Moreno Opening Keynote Address, The Latino Midwest Symposium Thursday, October 11, 7:00 p.m. Shambaugh Auditorium, The University of Iowa Reception, 8:30 p.m. North Exhibition Hall, Main Library ~ in conjunction with the 20th anniversary of the Iowa Women’s Archives ~ From the symposium website:  Vicki L.Continue reading “Vicki Ruiz to present keynote lecture at The Latino Midwest symposium”