Julie Monroe Papers collection
Content Description
Research on Verda Barnes collected by Julie Monroe. Photocopies of documents and news clippings, primary and secondary source material.
Dates
- Creation: 2023 - 2024
Creator
- Monroe, Julie (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Biographical / Historical
Verda grew up on a farm near St. Anthony, Idaho. After graduating from high school, she attended Albion Normal School and then Brigham Young University. Verda married briefly in the 1930s and had a daughter, and spent much of her time as a single mother in Boise. After the repeal of prohibition, Verda became the first director of the newly formed Idaho Liquor Commission.
After receiving a letter from James Farley, the Postmaster General and chairman of the Democratic National Committee, asking for volunteers to become a part of Roosevelt's New Deal, Verda and her daughter moved to Washington, D.C. She quickly became involved with organized labor, in the Department of the Interior, and the Securities and Exchange Commission. She also became active in the Young Democrats and became national vice-chairman for the organization during the Roosevelt era. During this time she became friends with Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt.
In 1945, she began working for newly elected Idaho Senator Glen Taylor. Later, she joined the staff of Frank Church, who was elected in 1956. She first served as his governmental liaison and then as his chief of staff. In that position she became Church's chief political strategist and the de facto chief political strategist for the entire Idaho Democratic party. Without Barnes' tireless political efforts, it is quite likely that Frank Church would have been a one-term Senator.
https://www.lib.uidaho.edu/digital/iwi/women/iwi-19.html
Extent
.5 Cubic Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Research on Verda Barnes collected by Julie Monroe.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Materials received from Julie Monroe in 2024 (MA 2024-12).
Condition Description
Good
Subject
- Barnes, Verda White, 1907-1980 (Person)
- Title
- Guide to Julie Monroe Papers collection
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Finding Aid prepared by Ariana Burns
- Date
- 2024
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the University of Idaho Library, Special Collections and Archives Repository