Research Highlights Series, No. 10
WOMEN IN ALASKA
The following are some of the collections at UAA relating to women in Alaska.
Alaska Women's Oral History Project.
Records; 1965-1982.
1.7 cu. ft. Inventory.
The Alaska Women's Oral History Project was funded to collect
and compile the reminiscences of pioneer Alaskan women born between
1866 and 1937. Included are
67 interviews with pioneer Alaskan women.
Genie Chance (b. 1927). Papers, Tapes;
1964-1972. 25.5
cu. ft. Inventory.
Genie Chance was a newscaster and editorialist who achieved note
as a broadcaster during the earthquake of 1964. She served in
the state house (1969-1975) and state senate (1975-1979). The
collection contains personal and professional papers, legislative
papers, tapes and recordings, books on the earthquake, and photos.
Ann Fox Chandonnet (b. 1943). Papers;
1942-1989. 6.5 cu. ft. Inventory.
Ann Chandonnet, a successful poet and author, has published poetry
collections, cookbooks, and a history of Eklutna Village. She
also worked for various newspapers. The collection consists of
papers relating to her work as an author.
Lucy Hon Cuddy. Papers; 1890-1979.
1.85 cu. ft. List.
Lucy Cuddy, wife of banker Warren Cuddy, worked as a school
principal, member of the Board of Regents of the Univ. of Alaska,
as well as Chairman of the Board of the First National Bank of
Alaska. Included are copies of her diaries and a one olume reminiscence.
Donna Broderick Gavac. Papers; 1971-1987. 1.35 cu. ft. Inventory.
Dr. Gavac was an administrator at ACC. The collection includes
papers dealing with administration, accreditation, faculty and
student affairs, and the first strike at ACC.
Christine A. Heller (1907-1990). Papers;
n.d., 1895-1982.
26.67 cu. ft. Inventory.
Christine Heller, a nutritionist, wrote books on the edible and
poisonous plants and on the wild flowers of Alaska (with her
sister). The collection contains papers relating to her work
in nutrition and botany. Includes data and drafts for The
Alaska Dietary Survey, 1956-1961 and a journal and photos
from a trip to various villages in 1948.
Robert and Wilma Knox. Papers; 1949-2001. 5.2 cu. ft. Inventory.
Robert and Wilma Knox were journalists who worked for a number
of newspapers and magazines in Alaska and elsewhere. Wilma Knox
was a photographer as well as a writer. She contributed articles
and photos to several journals and worked for a time for the
Alaska Dept. of Tourism. She collaborated with her husband on
a book on camping in Alaska and the Yukon. The collection contains
copies of her writings and photographs.
Alice "Dove" Montgomery Kull
(1897-1991). Papers; 1924-1991. 13.25
cu. ft. Inventory.
Dove Kull came to Alaska (1959) to work in child welfare. She
became an advocate for senior citizens and helped bring about
the Older Alaskans Commission (1981). Included are papers relating
to her activities in social work, child welfare, and on behalf
of senior citizens and women.
Christine M. McClain (1915-1989). Papers;
1907-1992. 20.3 cu.
ft. Inventory.
Chris McClain worked for the Alaska Communications System and
the Army Signal Corps. She was also a freelance writer who worked
for the Anchorage Times and who contributed to many national
publications. The collection consists primarily of papers relating
to her work as a writer.
Margaret G. Mielke (1912-1980). Papers; n.d., 1942-1980. 5.5 cu. ft. Inventory.
Margaret Gustafson moved to Alaska in 1940. She wrote poetry
and edited and compiled anthologies. She was the poetry editor
for the Anchorage Times and helped form the Poetry Society
of Alaska. She was chosen as the first Poet Laureate for Alaska
(1963). The collection contains papers relating to her work as
an author and a poet.
Sally Monserud (1907-1991). Papers; 1907,
1934-1990. 1.3
cu. ft. Inventory.
"Sally" Monserud
was one of the original faculty at ACC where she taught English
(1954-mid 1970s). In 1972, she received an honorary Doctor of
Humanities degree from the University of Alaska. A building on
the ACC campus was named in her honor. The collection consists
of materials relating to her life and to the history of ACC.
Peter R. and Beulah Marrs Parisi. Papers;
1938-1995. 1.2 cu. ft. Inventory.
Beulah "Bee"
Marrs came to Alaska in 1941 and worked for the Bristol Bay Air
Service and Morrison-Knudson Construction Company. She was active
in the USO in Anchorage and became the official hostess of its
"Friendly Log Cabin" during World War II. The collection
contains copies of her scrapbooks and photographs relating to
her USO activities. The volumes include clippings, photographs,
programs, and other materials.
Elizabeth and Roy Peratrovich. Papers;
1939-1988. .2 cu. ft.
Elizabeth and Roy Peratrovich
were central figures in securing the passage of the Anti-Discrimination
Act by the Alaska Territorial Legislature in 1945. In 1988, the
legislature designated February 16 as Elizabeth Peratrovich Day.
The collection consists of copies of papers relating to the efforts
of Elizabeth and Roy Peratrovich to end discrimination against
Alaska Natives.
Joseph and Lisa Rudd. Papers; ca. 1908,
1943-1984. 27
cu. ft. Inventory.
Lisa Rudd held a number of local and state government posts before
being appointed and then elected to the state legislature in
1976. She later became Commissioner of Administration under Governor
Sheffield. The collection contains personal, legislative, and
campaign files.
Lorena Showers (1905-1997). Papers; 1945-1997. 9 cu. ft. Inventory.
Lorena Showers moved to Alaska in 1940. She was a waitress and
an active member of the Hotel
and Restaurant Workers Union. She negotiated the first union
health program in Alaska in 1952 and was a member of the Employment
Security Commission Advisory Council, the Older Persons Action
Group, and other groups. She authored two books. The collection
contains papers and publications relating to her life and activities.
Lyman and Betsy "Betzi" Woodman. Papers; 1929-1999. 29 cu. ft. Inventory.
Betsy Woodman, newspaperwoman
and freelance writer, wrote for several Alaskan journals and
was a correspondent for Reuters and McGraw-Hill. She was named
the 1982 Woman of Achievement by both the Alaska Press Women
and the National Federation of Press Women. This collection contains
papers and reference material from various writing projects,
and copies of her publications.
Other Related Collections:
Alaska Press Women. Records; 1961-1991. 6.5 cu. ft.
Inventory.
Benzie Ola "Rusty" Dow (1894-1989). Papers. ca.
1910-1989.
3 cu. ft. Inventory. First woman to drive the Alcan.
Josephine M. Gordon (b. 1908). Journals; 1964, 1966, 1969-1985.
1 cu. ft. Folder List and Index to Journals. Travel
journals - Alaska, Yukon, and British Columbia.
Elinor Delight Gregg (1889-1970). Video Cassette Recording;
1936. .2 cu. ft. BIA nurse=s trip to Alaska.
Hans and Margaret Hafemeister. Papers, 1943-1984. 1
cu. ft. Inventory. Alaskan
social worker.
Andrew Hope and Ellen Hope Hays. Papers; 1947-1984. 18
cu . ft. Inventory. Her activities in native groups.
Mary Healy. Diaries; 1883-1891. 1 reel, microfilm.
Wife of Captain Michael Healy.
Margaret E. Heller (1909-1991). Papers; n.d., 1947-1981.
.5 cu. ft. Folder List.
Mildred B. Hendricks (1898-1986). Letters; 1936-1940.
.1 cu. ft. List. Miner's wife and camp cook.
Clara Cook Lawrence. Scrapbook; ca. 1911-1914. 1
reel, microfilm. Teacher
at the Jesse Lee Home.
Maxine Reed. Papers; n.d., 1900, 1918-1920, 1923, 1930-1943,
1958-1959, 1971-1994. .85 cu. ft. Inventory. Member
of Anchorage Consumers Commission.
Marguerite Reiss. Papers; n.d., 1972-1988. .5
cu. ft. Inventory. Freelance
writer.
Polly Petty Sharp. Papers; 1944-1945, 1966. .1
cu. ft. Folder List.
U.S.O. volunteer in World War II.
Elvera Voth. Papers; 1961-1978. .2 cu. ft. Inventory.
Music related materials: Alaska Festival of Music, ACC, UAA and
others.
Julia Willma Weber (b. 1904). Papers; ca. 1890-1901. .25
cu. ft. Diary of her
mother, Myrtle Ryan (Klondike and Nome).
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Last updated June 23, 1999.