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Margaret Conner papers

 Collection — Folder: 1
Identifier: IWA0598

Scope and Contents

The Margaret M. Conner Papers consist of a fifteen-page history titled "Retrospect, Introspect, Prospect: The Public Health Nutrition Program, Department of Health, City of New York." This work was written by Conner in 1968 to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the nutrition program's formal existence.

Dates

  • Creation: 1968

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The papers are open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright held by the donor has been retained by the donor.

However, copyright status for some collection materials may be unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owner. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility and potential liability based on copyright infringement for any use rests exclusively and solely with the user. Users must properly acknowledge the Iowa Women’s Archives, The University of Iowa Libraries, as the source of the material. For further information, visit https://www.lib.uiowa.edu/sc/services/rights/

Biographical / Historical

Margaret Mary Conner earned a BA in home economics from the State University of Iowa (now the University of Iowa) in 1934. She then earned an MS in nutrition from the State University of Iowa in 1939 and pursued additional graduate study at Columbia University. When the nutrition division of the New York City Department of Health was established in 1943, she became one of the division's first nutritionists. She was responsible for making radio broadcasts on WNYC titled "Listen to Nutrition," a popular mass-education program. She also taught nutrition to medical workers and served on a wartime medical board that awarded more ration points to the ill and the elderly. Conner and her staff prepared courses for school children, worked in mobile demonstration kitchens, and wrote a monthly bulletin for the city (see Department of Home Economics Newsletters, University of Iowa Department of Home Economics Records, for more information).

In 1957, Conner was honorerd by the Public Health Association of New York City for providing outstanding service in the field of nutrition. In 1962, she became the principal nutritionist for the public health nutrition program of the city of New York's Department of Health under a provisional appointment, which became permanent in 1964. During her tenure, she helped to expand prenatal nutrition programs, institute emergency pediatric services in underserved areas, and tailor nutrition programs for children with physical disabilities. She presided over the rapid expansion of the department and harnessed the energies of her staff to provide services for the new Head Start program. Conner retired in 1971.

Conner authored many departmental publications, including its history, "Retrospect, Introspect, Prospect." In 1963, she won the prestigious Lydia J. Roberts Essay Award offered by the American Dietetic Association for her essay, "A History of Dietary Standards." (Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 1963, p. 564.)

Extent

0.25 linear inches

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

University of Iowa Home Economics graduate who worked as a nutritionist for the New York City Department of Public Health from 1943 to1971.

Arrangement

One folder, shelved in SCVF.

Method of Acquisition

The papers (donor no. 1147) were donated by Margaret Mary Conner in 2000.

Author
Bridgett Williams-Searle, 2000; Sharon M. Lake, 2008.
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
eng

Repository Details

Part of the Iowa Women's Archives Repository

Contact:
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University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City IA 52242 IaU
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319-335-5900 (Fax)