Presentation

Unearthing Women's Contributions in Archival Collections

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Abstract

Women’s work and influence are often thought to be undercollected in institutions. Archivists often know this is not the case, that the women’s work is there, it sometimes just needs to be brought to the surface.  This panel looks at ways in which we can both cultivate women and their work by publicizing the collections in programs, libguides, and research works, and reexamine past procedures. A second look at a  collection’s arrangement itself can often reframe our knowledge and understanding of the materials already in our collections. One presenter will look at the role women’s religious congregations have played in the establishment and growth of schools and hospitals throughout this country. Looking at the records of the Sisters of St. Agnes gives insight into the breadth of their influence in the fields of education and health care that is often overlooked. The second presenter will provide a broader look at some of the women in American Heritage Center collections and how they are significant but their contributions to their professions are often overlooked because of their gender. She will consider how sometimes their records are included in collections but are harder to find if they aren’t the “name” or “organization” of emphasis in the collection. The third presenter will look at the work of one woman, one of the first librarian's at UW, Grace Raymond Hebard, to illustrate the significant work women did at colleges around the country. The last presenter will consider the more practical side of how we can open up collections or reveal these collections/books by looking at existing collection orders and then reorganizing or rewriting collection inventories to bring the women to the forefront.

How to Cite:

Brown, M., Lukomski, J., Kilander, G. & Comstock, E., (2024) “Unearthing Women's Contributions in Archival Collections”, MAC Annual Meeting Presentations 2024(1).