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Colorado Displaced Homemakers Project Oral Histories

 Collection
Identifier: MDHP

Scope and Contents

The Colorado Displaced Homemakers Project Oral Histories consists of documents dated from the 1970s to 1993, with the bulk from 1990. The collection contains oral history interview tapes and transcripts conducted by Diana Lee for her master's thesis. Also included are various notes Lee took during and after the interviews, background research, and drafts of writings by Lee. A 2017 accrual of 24 floppy disks, 12 of which cannot be read, containing files of interviews and Lee's master's thesis are also included.

Dates

  • Creation: 1970s-1995
  • Creation: Majority of material found in 1990

Creator

Restrictions on Access

Some of the oral history interviews are restricted from research. Restrictions are noted in the box list where appropriate.

Restrictions on Use

Not all of the material in the collection is in the public domain. Researchers are responsible for addressing copyright issues.

History

The Colorado Displaced Homemakers Project was initiated by Diana Lee for her master's thesis in twentieth-century women's history at Colorado State University. The focus of the project was on women who were raised primarily to be wives, mothers, and homemakers, but because of divorce or desertion were forced into the role of single parent and sole wage earner. Lee conducted 28 oral histories of women in Northern Colorado, ranging in age from 28 to 60. The oral histories focused on the influence of family, home life, religion, and society on young women's choices and how their roles changed after divorce or desertion.

Extent

2.75 linear feet (6 document cases)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Colorado Displaced Homemakers Project was initiated by Diana Lee for her master's thesis in twentieth-century women's history at Colorado State University. The focus of the project was on women who were raised primarily to be wives, mothers, and homemakers, but because of divorce or desertion were forced into the role of single parent and sole wage earner. The collection consists of oral history interviews conducted by Lee and includes the original cassette tapes, summary or complete transcripts, and notes.

Arrangement

The collection consists of 2 series in 6 document cases:

Series 1: Oral history interviews, 1989-1990

Subseries 1.1: Open, 1990

Subseries 1.2: Restricted, 1989-1990

Series 2: Research and writings, 1970s-1995 and undated

Subseries 2.1: Open, 1970s-1993 and undated

Subseries 2.2: Restricted, 1990

Acquisition

The Colorado Displaced Homemakers Project Oral Histories was donated by Diana Lee in December 2016 and 2017.

Online Materials

Some materials have been scanned and are available through the Colorado State University Libraries website. In the electronic version of this document, direct links appear in context.

Related Collections

The Friedman Feminist Press Collection, Special Collections, Colorado State University.

Processing

Processing was completed in March 2016. Materials were rehoused in acid-free folders and boxes.

Title
Guide to the Colorado Displaced Homemakers Project Oral Histories
Status
Edited Full Draft
Author
Prepared by Karen Spilman, revised by Victoria Lopez-Terrill
Date
Copyright 2016, 2017
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the CSU Libraries Archives & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Fort Collins Colorado 80523-1019 USA
970-491-1844