The Word on Women: A Directory of Historical
Records Collections Documenting the History of Women
in New York State
The Word on Women: A Directory of Historical Records Collections Documenting Women in History in New York State was designed as a tool for teachers and students, media in news and entertainment, scholars, public policymakers, as well as general audiences who recognize the value of women in history and especially of women in New York State. Raising public awareness of the contributions made by local women in fields of science, education, religion, the arts, medicine, and numerous other walks of life deepens our understanding of New York as the source for many important milestones throughout history.
Originally produced in 1999 by several DHP* regions, this resource guide contains entries from over 150 archives, libraries, historical societies, schools and other repositories in New York that collect and preserve historical records pertaining to women. Each entry contains a brief description of the individual repository’s holdings specific to women, contact and other information of interest to potential researchers. This directory covers collections about women that are held in all counties throughout New York State and is searchable both by county and subject.
The Word on Women is not in its final form. Rather it is meant to be considered an ongoing effort to improve the documentation of women and women’s organizations whose contributions of the past help shape our present lives. Below is a listing of names of women with connections to the Western New York region who we feel should be included in the Directory. If you have materials pertaining to these women – or have materials documenting other women not on this list, please let us know!
We hope you will find the information useful and inspiring. To search the Directory or to have your repository’s collections included, visit www.clrc.org and go to “Word on Women” listed under “Special Interest.”
Below are names of women in this region who should be included in the Directory. If you have materials or know the location of materials documenting these women – or, you have names of other women who should be on this list, please contact Heidi Bamford, Regional Archivist.
Women in WNY History
Anna Bartlett Fox, social worker
Anna Katherine Green, writer
Anna Witmer, resident
Anne Viele, physician
Annie Crawford, artist/author
Annie Sturges Daniel, physician
Augusta C. Moore. poet
Belva Lockwood, lawyer/activist
Bertha A. Keyes, educator
Catherine L. Brunck, physician's wife
Charlotte Mulligan, writer, music critic,
Charlotte Spaulding Sidway,
Elizabeth Coatsworth Beston,
Elizabeth Pierce, bank manager
Elizabeth Sprague Williams, social worker
Esther Ann Burwell Glenny,
Gertrude M. Bacon, educator
Harriet Austin Townsend, activist
Harriet Stewart Judd, philanthropist
Helen Fuller Orton, author
Julia Love/ Maria M./ Elizabeth Love Cary,
Katherine Cornell, actress/producer
Kathleen Howard, actress
Lillian A. Achilles, librarian
Louise Bethune, architect
Louise M. Cassety, educator
Luellan Boll, poet
Margaret Larke, resident
Margaret ST. John, War of 1812 heroine
Maria Maltby Love, philanthropist
Marian DeForest, playwright/author/journalist/
Mary Burnett Talbert, social activist/ founder of clubs
Mary Jane Rathbun, marine zoologist
Myrtle Viola Caudell, educator
Olive Williams, org. Allentown Association
Sara Hinson, educator
Susan Frances Chase, educator
Susan Stafford Herox, resident
Sutherland Sisters, business
Vida Grenville Meister Benedict, socialite
Adelle H. Land, educator
Alice Moore Hubbard, author/educator
Anne Francowiak, educator
Anne Marie Tucker, educator
Anne Walker Senbusch, educator
Diane La Vallee, asst. DA
Diane Spohrin, artist
Dr. Juanita Hunter, nurse
Dr. Juanita Hunter, nurse
Elizabeth Sholes, activist
Emily H. Webster, administrator
Eugenia Fronczak Bukowska, physician
Evelyn Albrecht, activist
Evelyn M, Watson, poet/author
Geraldine Bard, educator
Gloria Lucker, business owner
Jeanette Scudder, administrator
Joyce Carol Oates, author
Julia Reinstein Boyer, philanthropist
Katherine Thorn, educator
Kathleen Donoghue, business owner
Lois Lenski, author/illustrator
Loretta Kaminsky, business owner
Lorna Hill, actress
Lucille Ball, entertainer
Lucille Clifton, poet/writer
Lucy R. Fronczak, wife of FE
Lydia T. Wright, physician
Margaret Evans Price, portait artist
Marian E. White, anthropologist
Mary Colette Hilbert, foundress of FSSJ
Patricia Harris, social worker
Ruth Bartholomew, librarian
Sophie Hodorowicz Knab, writer
Taylor Caldwell, writer |
