The Debra Jean Blake papers date from 1975 to 2017 and measure 2 linear feet and 2 megabytes. The collection is organized into seven series: Journalism and communications career, Volunteer work, Education, Chicana oral histories, Chicana Sexuality and Gender: Cultural Refiguring in Literature, Oral History, and Art, Teaching, and Academic career.

The Journalism and communications career series (1975-1988) provides an overview of Blake's journalism career, starting at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). The series comprises examples of her work as an editor and journalist at university newspapers, as well as commercial radio stations and magazines. Materials include examples of her work as Assistant Publications Administrator at UNI, her résumés, and her professional achievement awards.

The Volunteer work series (1987) consists of materials pertaining to two events Blake helped organize, the Sturgis Falls Celebration and the Leadership for Tomorrow Conference. Both took place in Cedar Falls in 1987.

The Education series (1977-2000) includes materials related to Blake’s master’s thesis, fellowships and awards, and diplomas. The materials document her undergraduate studies at the University of Northern Iowa and her graduate studies at the University of Iowa.

The Chicana oral histories series (1993-2007) features oral history interviews with nine Mexican-American women. These interviews were included in Blake’s dissertation, titled “The Right to Passion: Chicana Sexuality Refigured,” which compared women’s lived experiences with narratives in Chicana feminist literature. Also included are interviews with Chicana feminist authors Gloria Anzaldúa, Ana Castillo, and Denise Chávez.

The Chicana Sexuality and Gender: Cultural Refiguring in Literature, Oral History, and Art series (1994-2010) is comprised of materials related to Blake’s 2008 Duke University Press publication, which builds on research she conducted for her dissertation. Materials include artwork copyright correspondence, book proofs, reviews, and marketing materials.

The Teaching series (1990-2016) consists of teaching contracts, a statement on Blake’s teaching philosophy, and syllabi for courses Blake taught at University of Northern Iowa, University of Iowa, Washington State University, University of Minnesota (Morris), St. Cloud State University, University of Minnesota (Twin Cities), and University of Puerto Rico (Río Piedras). Examples of her courses include Interpretation of Literature; Chicano/a Literature; Native American Literature; Chicana/Latina Lives: Oral Histories and Life Stories; Literature of American Public Life: Immigration, Identity, and the American Dream; Queer Sexualities in Film; University Writing; Gender in Literature and Culture; American Postmodern Literature; Feminist Theory; and Introduction to Ethnic Studies. During her time at the University of Puerto Rico, students went on strike and occupied the campus to protest the university’s attempt to raise tuition. Blake’s curriculum vitae provides context and details about the strike. Her photos of the student protest can be found in the curriculum vitae folder in the Academic career series.

The Academic career series (1993-2017) comprises Blake’s curriculum vitae, her conference presentations, programs from conferences she participated in, and book chapters and articles she wrote.