Women's History Manuscript Collections at the Rubenstein Library

These collections document women's contributions to the work force as laborers, entrepreneurs, and organizers. Included are the papers of individual women who were successful in various businesses and professions; plantation, business and corporate records which can be used to study the social history of working women; and records of individuals and groups influential in organizing or educating women workers.

Abundant collections of diaries, correspondence, and related materials document the social life and customs, family relationships and routine domestic chores of women in the home. These collections represent a wide range of economic classes and geographic locations.

These collections include the personal papers of women and the records of women's organizations dedicated to serving and improving society. Additional materials can be found in large collections of family papers where the women belonged to philanthropic social clubs, or in the papers of public officials, newspaper editors, and clergy. Together, these materials cover a wide range of social causes and political issues of local, regional and national significance and concern women who were employed, elected or volunteered.

Materials in this category contain considerable information on women's religious experiences and activities. Holdings are particularly strong in documenting personal spiritual struggles and women's involvement in Protestant religious organizations.

Collections listed in this category include the personal papers of women working in science and medical professions as well as those collections that document common medical practice during a certain time period. Additional information on childbirth, home remedies, and routine medical practices are often found in women's diaries, letters, and recipe books.