Collections
Peterson Wiese, Patricia. Papers. 1978-2010. 2.5 linear inches. Patricia Louise Turpen was born in Scottsbluff in 1937. She studied elementary education and Spanish at Graceland College in Lomoni, Iowa. She taught English as a Second Language (ESL) in West Liberty from 1975 to 1986. The papers include a photo album of students in West Liberty.
O’Connor, Rev. William T. Papers. 1922-1984. 7.5 linear inches. Rev. William O’Connor was known as the “labor priest” due to his support for workers’ rights, advocacy for labor unions, and activism in the community. As a sociology professor at St. Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa, he led an economic survey of Cook’s Point, a predominantly Mexican neighborhood in Davenport (box 1). His papers include documents that address local social justice issues. Listen to his oral history interview with the Iowa Labor History Oral Project (ILHOP) available on the Iowa Digital Library.
Sandage, Shirley M. Papers. 1927-2012. 7.25 linear feet. Shirley Sandage was born in Mason City, Iowa in 1927. She started and directed the Migrant Action Program (MAP) in Mason City. The program provided daycare, education, vocational training, food, and medical services to migrant families in the surrounding counties. Also included in this collection are records from her participation in the national Migrant Research Project (MRP), an audiocassette of the Iowa House debate on the Child Labor Law, the book Child of Hope (1968), and scrapbooks of photographs and newspaper clippings including one recording various MAP activities (box 17).
Sister Joyce Blum. Papers. 1994-2008. 2.5 linear inches. Sister Joyce Blum was born in Panama, Iowa in 1936. She became a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA) in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She served Spanish-speaking people across the United States, El Salvador, and México. Between 1993 and 2000 she worked as a chaplain at the Arizona State Prison. The papers consist primarily of published writings, reflections, and poetry about her work at the Arizona State prison and on the Mexican border.
From the Irene and José Guzman papers
Migrant Action Program logo, Mason City, Iowa.
From the Shirley M. Sandage papers
Newspaper article titled "Exploitation of Children" on the Iowa's House File 178 that would prohibit the use of children under 14, with or without pay, as migrant farm workers, 1967.