Dates

• Creation: 1974 - 1976

Creator

• From the Collection: Hermann, Lillie Mae Aherin (Person)
• From the Collection: League of Women Voters of Idaho (Organization)

Extent

47 items : This project, entitled "Women in Northern Idaho: Explorations in the Rural Feminist Experience", focused on the contribution north Idaho women have made to Idaho's pioneer history. The project was under the auspices of the University of Idaho Women's Center and was directed by Corlann Bush; Lillie Hermann was one of the interviewers and also took part in presentations of characterizations based on the interviews which were given in rural areas in north Idaho to publicize the project. The Association for the Humanities in Idaho awarded the project two grants, the first from November 1974 to September 1975, the second from November 1975 to December 1976.Those who worked on the project taped interviews with rural women in north Idaho and sought to define and explore their experiences. They then developed skits or characterizations, based on these interviews, which were presented at meetings with other rural women. By these methods they hoped to establish a dialogue which would enable women to share their experiences not only with each other, but also with those involved with the oral history project. From this exchange they hoped to gain an appreciation of the value of women in rural societies, a recognition of the contributions women have made to the state of Idaho and an understanding of the differences and similarities between the lives of urban and rural women.In addition to the tape recordings, many of which have been transcribed, photographs were also taken of the women interviewed. The Women's Center has received permission to house the tapes and transcripts in the University of Idaho Special Collections Library where they are available to researchers.The material Lillie Hermann retained which relates to the project includes copies of the grant applications and two interim progress reports to the Association for the Humanities in Idaho. There are also lists of questions which were asked at the interviews and another list of questions which were asked at the presentations to stimulate discussion. Copies of the letters used in the characterization of Emma Just and the story of Emily Cisen's experiences as a rural school teacher are also included.Two books are included: the 23 page narrative about the project, Women In Northern Idaho: Explorations in the Rural Feminist Experience, and Ellen Boulton Herndon's I Remember Idaho: My Childhood on Boulton Farm (Claremont, CA, Esther Boulton Black, 1972) 39 p. Photographs of Ruby May Aherin, Betty Brommeling, Etta Mae Egland, Irma Egland, Peggy Egland, Mona Hubenthal, and Rita Mercedes Roach, some of the women interviewed, complete the material in this folder.

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English