Serendipity: Women’s Suffrage and African American History Month

Serendipity is a wonderful word, one I think about a lot in my library research setting. Although librarians use designated subjects heading to help delve into research topics, oftentimes we find ourselves following the unexpected, and off we go on tangential threads. These excursions can lead to surprises, some helpful to our research, others just plain interesting. You learn a lot along the way. That’s what happened when it was time to arrange books for the library’s February display.

First up, books on women’s suffrage. It’s been 100 years since New York State finally granted women the right to vote after decades of struggle. We all know about Susan B Anthony’s role in the movement. Hopefully you have visited her home in Rochester as well as the Women’s Rights National Historical Park in nearby Seneca Falls, New York. If not, add them to your list of must-dos.

But while thumbing through books for the display, I came across names and photos of women not as familiar to me. I was struck by the beautiful photo and inspiring story of Mary Church Terrell, an early African American advocate of both women’s suffrage and civil rights. So serendipity struck and led me to discover others including Ida B. Wells, weaving a beautiful thread to and throughout the African American History Month display in the adjoining large case.

Ida B. Wells

Mary Church Terrell

So next time you’re in the library, please take a look at some of the interesting and relevant books we offer on these subjects, and  pause to learn a little about the many courageous and inspiring women who paved the way for all of us. Serendipity...

--Deborah Janetos, Reference Librarian & College Archivist

Selected Books at Nazareth Library:

Terrell, M. (1996). A colored woman in a white world (African-American women writers, 1910-1940). New York : London: G.K. Hall ; Prentice Hall International.

Lorette Wilmot Library   Nazareth Main Collection   323.092 Ter  

Jones, B. (1990). Quest for equality : The life and writings of Mary Eliza Church Terrell, 1863-1954 (Black women in United States history ; v. 13). Brooklyn, N.Y.: Carlson Pub.

Lorette Wilmot Library   Nazareth Main Collection   973.0496073 Ter, Jon  

Wells-Barnett, I., & Royster, J. (1997). Southern horrors and other writings : The anti-lynching campaign of Ida B. Wells, 1892-1900 (Bedford series in history and culture). Boston, MA: Bedford Books.

Lorette Wilmot Library   Nazareth Main Collection   323.092 Wel  

Thompson, M. (1990). Ida B. Wells-Barnett : An exploratory study of an American Black woman, 1893-1930 (Black women in United States history ; v. 15). Brooklyn, N.Y.: Carlson Pub.

Lorette Wilmot Library   Nazareth Main Collection   323.092 Wel, Tho  

Nazareth College History: A Peek Into the Archives

Welcome to a new year at Nazareth College! If you’re new to campus, be sure to check out the Archives page on the library’s website. There you’ll find a brief history of the college which might fill in some details not covered in a campus tour. Nazareth College has a proud heritage spanning 93 years of educational excellence - and a home away from home for students from near and far.

The Gleaner, available online from 1926 to 2007, was the college newspaper published by and for students, and provides a wonderful glimpse into college life over the years. By reading The Gleaner you can see what was important to students at various times in our history, and learn how they reacted to issues important to them.

In the 1960’s a number of Nazareth students responded to the call to join President Kennedy’s Peace Corps.  We have some wonderful letters in the archives written by volunteers from overseas.

The Gleaner also documents how students perceived the Vietnam War, national elections, and other events over the years.  On a lighter note, they also wondered if the library was open late enough!

The Gleaner also offers glimpses of historical fashion: a Nazareth coed even made national news when chosen as one of the nation’s best dressed in 1963!

So if you have a moment, check out The Gleaner. Having such a resource really does give us a chance to peek into past college life, which in many ways was not so different from ours.

If you have any questions, or would like to see The Gleaner and other archival materials in person, please let us know!

Celebrating African American History Month in February

February is African American History Month.  To mark the occasion we have gathered some items from our archives and general collection to celebrate.  You can see our display at the entrance to the library.

Please come visit the display, and send any questions to Ilka and Debbie at refdesk@naz.edu.