In 1977, Des Moines civil rights activist, Edna Griffin, wrote a strongly worded opinion piece defending the a local dance studio, the Gateway Dance Theatre. But why? In this piece, IWA student assistant Kelly Kemp explores the connection between civil rights and dance through the papers of Gateway’s founder, Penny Furgerson.
Author Archives: Anna Holland
The 2024 Kerber Grant gave one researcher renewed appreciation for rural women’s advocacy
IWA’s 2024 Kerber Travel Grant recipient found a wealth of resources for her dissertation on rural women’s grass-roots coalition building.
Eagles, and donkeys, and elephants, oh my!: Politics and animals in IWA
What do an eagle, a donkey, an elephant, and a chicken have in common? They can all be found in the political collections of the Iowa Women’s Archives!
YOU make the government: The Iowa League of Women Voters and civic responsibility
A non-partisan organization, the LWV focuses on voters understanding their power and responsibility in government at all levels. It also emphasizes that for democracy to be for the people, citizens must engage with government at every level. In a 1947 project entitled You are Democracy, the LWV aimed to educate voters on the democratic process.
Done biting their tongues: UI dental hygiene and gender discrimination
by Beatrice Kearns, graduate assistant, Iowa Women’s Archives The University of Iowa Dental Hygiene Program began in 1953 with 24 students and despite being nationally renowned, the female-dominated program did not make it to its 50th anniversary. Until the final graduating class in 1995, the program trained hundreds of hygienists. Students took classes in aContinue reading “Done biting their tongues: UI dental hygiene and gender discrimination”
Kerber Grant Recipient’s Work Will Feature Political Activist Edna Griffin
Edna Griffin, known as the Rosa Parks of Iowa, has gained deserved attention over the years for her civil rights activism, especially for her role in the effort to desegregate the lunch counter at Katz Drug Store in Des Moines. Her actions resulted in a successful suit against the store under Iowa’s 1884 Civil RightsContinue reading “Kerber Grant Recipient’s Work Will Feature Political Activist Edna Griffin”
Kerber Grant Recipient Ezra Temko Delves into Gender Parity in Politics at IWA
Every year, the Linda and Richard Kerber Travel Grant allows researchers from across the country to come to Iowa City and use the Iowa Women’s Archives’ collections. Ezra Temko, is the grant’s first second-time winner. He first visited the IWA in 2018 as a PhD candidate in Sociology from the University of New Hampshire, where hisContinue reading “Kerber Grant Recipient Ezra Temko Delves into Gender Parity in Politics at IWA”
Women, Disability, and Reparative Description in IWA
The following post was written by IWA Student Specialist, Abbie Steuhm. In the process of creating a LibGuide on women and disability for the Iowa Women’s Archives (IWA), I discovered a trove of artifacts from disabled women and disability advocates. However, this did not come easy as the history was hidden by its description. IContinue reading “Women, Disability, and Reparative Description in IWA”
Enterprising Women: Three Profiles from the Fellows Family papers
The following post was written by IWA Student Specialist, Avery Porter. Clara Conrad entered the Graham Hospital Training School for Nurses in 1902. She was the first student to enroll in the new program and the only person in her class. A full graduation ceremony was held in her honor a year later proclaiming herContinue reading “Enterprising Women: Three Profiles from the Fellows Family papers”
Women Safe After Dark? The Beginnings of Take Back the Night at the University of Iowa
On September 12, 1979, an advertisement for a rally appeared in the campus newspaper, the Daily Iowan. The outline of a woman with bows and arrows, shooting into the night sky was accompanied with the promise, “Friday evening at 8 p.m., the women of Iowa City will have a chance to support each other inContinue reading “Women Safe After Dark? The Beginnings of Take Back the Night at the University of Iowa”