Collection: Ethel Bird correspondence

Abstract

Ethel Bird, class of 1905, was a prolific letter writer during her years as a student at Beloit College. Bird’s correspondence with her parents reveals a lively and teasing wit and provid a fascinating glimpse into the life of a woman student less than a decade after Beloit College became coeducational. A small group of letters describe her experience as a social worker in Halifax, Nova Scotia after an explosion disaster in 1917. Ethel Bird had a distinguished career in social services and served for many years as the national secretary for immigration and foreign communities of the YWCA. She passed away in 1960.

Dates

1899-1904

Extent

2 Linear Feet (7 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

General

The Beloit College Archives' collection of Ethel Bird's correspondence has been transcribed by a few different individuals over several years. Margaret Kushiner'06 transcribed and annotated a section of letters from 1904. Heather Hoff, a student worker in the Archives, transcribed Bird's letters from 1900.

Professor Diane Lichtenstein transcribed all remaining letters during her sabbatical in 2014. She gave a number of presentations on the letters to audiences such as Beloit College senior staff, the public at the Beloit Public Library, and for a Faculty Forum presentation.

Ethel Bird Transcriptions by Diane Lichtenstein