RIO GRANDE HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS 
Oral History Collections

NEW MEXICO FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S CLUBS 

ORAL HISTORY PROJECT, 1953-1996

The New Mexico Federation of Women's Clubs Oral History Project, Ms 0392, documents several decades of civic and charitable activity in southern New Mexico. Through oral histories and supporting documentation, these interviews offer their perspectives on work, social life, and the cultural life in each of the communities in which these ladies lived during the first half of the twentieth century.  Among the topics discussed are civic improvements, schools, libraries, social integration, fundraising, volunteer work, club conventions, community action, and political lobbying. 

Jennifer Ross, a Masters' Degree candidate in History at New Mexico State University from 1994-1996, conducted a series of oral interviews of Women's Club members throughout southern New Mexico. Ten respondents included club members in Las Cruces, Mesilla Park, Alamogordo, Glenwood, Carrizozo, and Truth or Consequences. These interviews took place from March-April 1996 and formed the basis of Ms. Ross' thesis, More Than Housewives and Mothers: Southern New Mexico Clubwomen, 1932-1960. Ms. Ross defended the thesis in 1996, and was awarded her M.A. in History that same year.                                            

Oral History Collections Main Page | RGHC Home Page

All interviews were conducted by Jennifer Ross.  Transcripts for interviews are not available at this time.

Ruth Armstrong 
Tape # RG-T447 (2 tapes)

Helen Baumgartner

Tape # RG-T448  (1 tape)

Alice Gruver

Tape # RG-T449   (2 tapes. Partially restricted; Tape 1, Side B, is not available for listening)

Ruth Hall

Tape # RG-T450  (2 tapes)

Valera Hollimon

Tape # RG-T451 

Virginia Johansen Francis

Tape # RG-T452  (2 tapes)

Louise Nusbaum

Tape # RG-T453  (2 tapes)

Betty Reed

Tape # RG-T454  (2 tapes)

"Lib" Talley

Tape # RG-T455  (2 tape)

Louise Walz

Tape # RG-T456 (1 tape)