Google slides link to presentation
Professor Mehra's introduction slide for my project.
Hello everyone! My name is Amanda Goolsby and today I will be presenting on the paper “Fostering Diversity in Archival Collections: The Iowa Women's Archives”
This archive had its beginning in the world of art sales. It all began with selling a beautiful self-portrait by Frida Kahlo titled “Self Portrait with Loose Hair.” The artwork was auctioned by Christie’s in New York and sold for 1.65 million. The sale of this iconic piece of art was not just a milestone for Christie’s and Kahlo, but also the Iowa Women’s Archive. The funds generated from this auction were allocated to launch and support the Iowa Women’s Archive, to preserve the histories of women in Iowa. This establishment also garnered attention from the media, bringing light to the need to preserve women’s stories and experiences and the need for scholarly interest in the history of women. This beginning is notable for the step toward gender equity and a reminder of the individual legacy of Frida Kahlo.
A central goal of the IWA is to curate a collection that is diverse, inclusive, and reflective of the wide array of experiences of the women of Iowa. The archive strives to collect and preserve the stories of women from all walks of life. This commitment to diversity is a key goal of the IWA to curate a diverse and inclusive collection that reflects the diverse experiences of the women of Iowa. In particular, the archive has an interest in the stories of Black American women, and rural women, and has recently expanded its focus to include Hispanic and Indigenous women. This commitment to diversity is significant when reflecting on the demographics of the state. Iowa has expanded its diversity in recent years, with growing populations of Hispanic, Black American, and Indigenous people. The IWA’s focus is not only reflective of a demographic shift but also that the diversity of experiences has always been a part of the history of Iowa.
Here we can see the Iowa Census for 2023, showing the relatively smaller populations of Black, Asian, Hispanic, and Indigenous peoples. The smaller numbers of the population should not be used to diminish the significance of their presence. Instead, it signifies the importance of collecting these stories. Without targeted efforts, these rich histories and experiences could be lost to time. By actively focusing on these underrepresented groups, the IWA is helping to fill knowledge gaps and empower women to reflect on the importance of their lives. Moreover, this effort contributes to a broader, more inclusive dialogue about the diverse populations that make up the state, challenging stereotypes, promoting understanding, and fostering a sense of shared history. Collecting the stories of these underrepresented groups is not just about preservation—it’s about recognition and validation of their experiences, shaping a more complete and representative history for all Iowans.
The author of this article is the first curator of the IWA and has had the unique opportunity to shape the foundation and evolution of a new archive.
From the beginning, the author worked to ensure that the archive was built on the principles of inclusivity and strove to create a space that not only serves as a repository but also actively reimagines archival practices in Iowa. This vision included engaging communities and encouraging a broader understanding of the value of preserving women’s histories. To build the archive’s collection, the author implemented a proactive approach to acquiring new materials. The author not only utilized various platforms of public outreach but also directly solicited donations from communities and individuals. The author’s choice to sponsor and attend events where scholars, activists, and community members created an opportunity to foster trust and demonstrate the dedication to proper representation of the communities the IWA hoped to preserve. By establishing these relationships, the IWA ensured the archive could reflect the diverse experiences of women throughout Iowa. Beyond the actions to bolster collections, the author also played a vital role in promoting the recognition of women’s contribution to Iowa. The IWA’s work has not only safeguarded records but also empowered women to recognize and celebrate the importance of their experiences. The IWA has become more than a repository of documents, it has become a place of historical awareness, research, and community engagement.
However, the author recognized her limits and worked to diversify the archival staff. The author implemented a strategic approach known as Targeted Collection Development. This method involved identifying underrepresented groups in the archive and proactively seeking out materials that reflect a more inclusive narrative. Meaningful connections with underrepresented communities require dedicated efforts to build trust. The author took the crucial step of hiring archivists to expand the holdings to include marginalized voices and stories that had been overlooked. Their work included direct engagement with individuals, organizations, and communities to foster trust and demonstrate the archive’s commitment to preserving their histories with respect. These specialized archivists played an important role in ensuring that the collections, donors, and donated materials received the attention, care, and respect they deserved. By focusing on intentional outreach, relationship building, and ethical collection practices, the archivists bridged the gap between the archive and the community. Through Targeted Collection Development, the IWA was able to actively shape its holdings rather than passively waiting for donations.
This process was multifaceted, including the additional archivists the archive adopted donation-only policies, to reinforce the focus on voluntary contributions rather than financially based acquisitions. This donation-only focus created a sense of shared ownership and participation, to ensure communities felt their stories were being valued for their intrinsic historical value rather than being viewed as commodities or someone to check off a box.
The archive also expanded its marketing, implementing new outreach strategies such as social media campaigns, conference attendances, and community events. By making their archival work more visible, the archive encouraged individuals to build trust and value their contributions to the collections. Networking played a significant role in growing the archive’s presence. By partnering with community leaders, offering tours, and attending local cultural events, the archive was able to grow its reach and curate a personal connection with the communities it served. These relationships created a bond which encouraged future donations and reinforced the idea that a person’s lived experiences are worth preserving and integral to understanding the history of Iowa.
As part of their Targeted Collection Development strategy, the IWA hired an archivist dedicated to preserving the histories of African American women of Iowa. This position was designed to address the historical underrepresentation of Black women’s voices in archival collections and to ensure that their historical contributions were properly documented and preserved. Originally, this position was only meant to last two years. However, recognizing the long-term work required, the IWA pursued fundraising and grant opportunities to extend the position beyond the planned two years. Securing this additional funding was essential for maintaining continuity in the archivist’s work and demonstrating to the African American community that the IWA was dedicated to building a lasting relationship to support their access and preservation. The archivist was able to build meaningful relationships with the African American community. These connections required patience, as many people experience mistrust of academic institutions due to the historical marginalization and erasure of their stories and personhood. Through dedicated community outreach, the archivist was able to engage with potential donors in a meaningful, respectful way that actively engaged with their lived experiences and personal histories. The progress was slow but the impact of these efforts is evident with the IWA gaining over 50 collections and 15 oral histories. This gradual but steady growth reflects the archivist’s hard work and the archive’s success in establishing credibility and building trust.
The same strategic approach was applied to the development of the rural women’s collection. This initiative aimed to document the experiences of women whose contributions to agriculture, rural economies, and small-town life had been overlooked in traditional historical narratives. A notable difference in this collection was the archive securing grants specifically for conducting oral histories. Unlike physical document collections, which rely on the donor possessing and being willing to part with their items, oral histories provide an opportunity to capture accounts from women who may not have written records but whose experiences are just as valuable. However, this is where the archive noticed a challenge in its collection development strategy.
While the targeted approaches by contracted archivists had proven effective, they also revealed issues of sustainability and the long-term effects of these methods.
Each new initiative required fundraising, grant-writing, and long-term commitments difficult to guarantee when the specialized archivists left their positions. The reliance on external funding for the targeted development raises concerns about whether the archive could sustainably maintain relationships with their communities once the grants ended. Despite these challenges, the rural women’s collection grew to over 100 collections and provided invaluable insights into the lives of women that might have been overlooked.
With the issues mentioned previously in mind, the IWA faces an ongoing challenge in securing resources to support their subject-focused archivists. Without permanent institutional support, these positions are short-term initiatives and lead to the disruption of community engagement and collection development. When the specialized archivist leaves their position, the relationships they have built for the archive are impacted. The essential trust and connection could be difficult to reestablish, especially with communities that have been historically ignored and erased. Many communities and individuals donated to the archive based on their connection with the subject-focused archivist, and without that individual future donations may be impacted. The loss of these archivists damages the momentum of these collections and the ability to nurture long-term relationships with underrepresented communities. To address these challenges, I suggest creating a continuity plan. The plan would include documentation of community contacts, detailed records of outreach initiatives, and a transition plan for the archive and the community when the specialized archivists leave. Despite these concerns, the success of the Targeted Collection Development for the IWA is undeniable. By prioritizing personal engagement and community building, the IWA has expanded its reach, brought in new collections, forged meaningful relationships, and created a bridge between the institution and the communities it serves.
For future goals, the archive has critically reviewed the lack of representation of Latino and Indigenous women in Iowa. While past initiatives have successfully expanded collections, the lack of materials documenting Latino and Indigenous women reflects the ongoing need for intentional collection development. To begin this effort, the IWA has hired graduate students who identify sources of collections and establish connections within their communities. The IWA has also begun to utilize grassroots efforts by flyering cultural events to raise awareness of its mission. This is notable as the IWA is making an effort to reach Latino and Indigenous women where they gather, rather than waiting for them to come to the archive. While these collections are still in their early steps, the IWA’s commitment to preserving the histories of underrepresented women is an important step in creating an archive that is comprehensive and representative of history. The deliberate choices by the IWA to promote community-focused collection policies and prioritize the people ensure future generations have access to a fuller and more diverse representation of Iowa’s history.
I do have some questions for us to reflect upon, which we don’t need to necessarily answer but if anyone has any ideas please feel free to share!
References
Anderson, B. (1963, August 6). "Role of the Black Artist" program at Countee Cullen Branch, New York Public Library New York, N.Y., August 6, 1963 [Photographs]. https://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/node/14773
A.T. Segrud (Canton, S. D. (1892). Cousins and aunt of Gwendolyn Johnson Hein, Iowa?, 1892, Cousins and aunt of Gwendolyn Johnson Hein, Iowa?, 1892 [Photographs, Studio portraits]. https://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/node/121982
Dmitri, I. (n.d.). "Queen of the campus," February 4, 1956 [Clippings (Information artifacts)]. Retrieved February 10, 2025, from https://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/node/555169
Furgerson, P. (2024, November 13). Gateway, not gatekeep: Penny Furgerson’s Gateway Dance Theatre of Des Moines, Iowa. University of Iowa Libraries. Retrieved February 10, 2025, from https://blog.lib.uiowa.edu/iwa/2024/11/13/gateway-not-gatekeep-penny-furgersons-gateway-dance-theatre-of-des-moines-iowa/
Mason, K. M. (2003). Fostering diversity in archival collections: The Iowa Women's Archives. Collection Management, 27(2), 23-31.
unknown. (1900–1909). Esther eating corn on edge of field, early 1900s [Photographs]. https://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/node/831044
unknown. (1910, October 1). Meskwaki mother and baby, Tama, Iowa, October 1, 1910, Meskwaki mother and baby, Tama, Iowa, October 1, 1910 [Photographic postcards, Correspondence]. https://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/node/322340
unknown. (1973). Billie Ray, Anna Chennault, and Mary Louise Smith, 1973 [Photographs]. https://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/node/276817
unknown. (n.d.-a). "A happy Easter," April 6, 1912, "A happy Easter," April 6, 1912 [Picture postcards, Correspondence, Easter cards]. Retrieved February 4, 2025, from https://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/node/269992
unknown. (n.d.-b). "I kneel to you, dear one, and take your hand," July 1908, "I kneel to you, dear one, and take your hand," July 1908 [Picture postcards, Correspondence]. Retrieved February 4, 2025, from https://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/node/401714
unknown. (n.d.-c). Couple in horse-drawn carriage, Lamont, Iowa, 1900s, Couple in horse-drawn carriage, Lamont, Iowa, 1900s [Photographic postcards]. Retrieved February 4, 2025, from https://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/node/32138
unidentified. (1940–1949). Margaret Boedeker and friend hanging laundry to dry, 1940s [Photographs]. https://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/node/259722
University of Iowa Libraries. (2016, September 2). New furniture in the Iowa Women's Archives. University of Iowa Libraries. Retrieved February 10, 2025, from https://blog.lib.uiowa.edu/iwa/2016/09/02/new-furniture-in-the-iowa-womens-archives/
University of Iowa Libraries. (2019, March 16). History reflected back, part II. University of Iowa Libraries. Retrieved February 10, 2025, from https://blog.lib.uiowa.edu/iwa/2019/03/16/history-reflected-back-part-ii/
University of Iowa Libraries. (2020, May 29). Pauline Humphrey: The African American beauty business in Iowa. University of Iowa Libraries. Retrieved February 10, 2025, from https://blog.lib.uiowa.edu/iwa/2020/05/29/pauline-humphrey-the-african-american-beauty-business-in-iowa/
University of Iowa Libraries. (n.d.). Founders: 5683. University of Iowa Libraries. Retrieved February 10, 2025, from https://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/node/329579
U.S. Census Bureau. (n.d.). Iowa: Profile of general population and housing characteristics: 2020. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved February 10, 2025, from https://data.census.gov/profile/Iowa?g=040XX00US19
A.T. Segrud (Canton, S. D. (1892). Cousins and aunt of Gwendolyn Johnson Hein, Iowa?, 1892, Cousins and aunt of Gwendolyn Johnson Hein, Iowa?, 1892 [Photographs, Studio portraits]. https://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/node/121982
Dmitri, I. (n.d.). "Queen of the campus," February 4, 1956 [Clippings (Information artifacts)]. Retrieved February 10, 2025, from https://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/node/555169
Furgerson, P. (2024, November 13). Gateway, not gatekeep: Penny Furgerson’s Gateway Dance Theatre of Des Moines, Iowa. University of Iowa Libraries. Retrieved February 10, 2025, from https://blog.lib.uiowa.edu/iwa/2024/11/13/gateway-not-gatekeep-penny-furgersons-gateway-dance-theatre-of-des-moines-iowa/
Mason, K. M. (2003). Fostering diversity in archival collections: The Iowa Women's Archives. Collection Management, 27(2), 23-31.
unknown. (1900–1909). Esther eating corn on edge of field, early 1900s [Photographs]. https://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/node/831044
unknown. (1910, October 1). Meskwaki mother and baby, Tama, Iowa, October 1, 1910, Meskwaki mother and baby, Tama, Iowa, October 1, 1910 [Photographic postcards, Correspondence]. https://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/node/322340
unknown. (1973). Billie Ray, Anna Chennault, and Mary Louise Smith, 1973 [Photographs]. https://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/node/276817
unknown. (n.d.-a). "A happy Easter," April 6, 1912, "A happy Easter," April 6, 1912 [Picture postcards, Correspondence, Easter cards]. Retrieved February 4, 2025, from https://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/node/269992
unknown. (n.d.-b). "I kneel to you, dear one, and take your hand," July 1908, "I kneel to you, dear one, and take your hand," July 1908 [Picture postcards, Correspondence]. Retrieved February 4, 2025, from https://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/node/401714
unknown. (n.d.-c). Couple in horse-drawn carriage, Lamont, Iowa, 1900s, Couple in horse-drawn carriage, Lamont, Iowa, 1900s [Photographic postcards]. Retrieved February 4, 2025, from https://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/node/32138
unidentified. (1940–1949). Margaret Boedeker and friend hanging laundry to dry, 1940s [Photographs]. https://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/node/259722
University of Iowa Libraries. (2016, September 2). New furniture in the Iowa Women's Archives. University of Iowa Libraries. Retrieved February 10, 2025, from https://blog.lib.uiowa.edu/iwa/2016/09/02/new-furniture-in-the-iowa-womens-archives/
University of Iowa Libraries. (2019, March 16). History reflected back, part II. University of Iowa Libraries. Retrieved February 10, 2025, from https://blog.lib.uiowa.edu/iwa/2019/03/16/history-reflected-back-part-ii/
University of Iowa Libraries. (2020, May 29). Pauline Humphrey: The African American beauty business in Iowa. University of Iowa Libraries. Retrieved February 10, 2025, from https://blog.lib.uiowa.edu/iwa/2020/05/29/pauline-humphrey-the-african-american-beauty-business-in-iowa/
University of Iowa Libraries. (n.d.). Founders: 5683. University of Iowa Libraries. Retrieved February 10, 2025, from https://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/node/329579
U.S. Census Bureau. (n.d.). Iowa: Profile of general population and housing characteristics: 2020. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved February 10, 2025, from https://data.census.gov/profile/Iowa?g=040XX00US19