Gertrude Cohen papers
Collection
Identifier: IWA0358
Scope and Contents
The Gertrude Cohen papers date from 1964 to 1991 and measure 1 linear inch. The papers consist almost exclusively of material documenting Cohen's term in the Iowa General Assembly. The correspondence is mostly congratulatory. However, there are some letters from constituents. Two photographs, one of former Governor of Iowa Harold Hughes with Cohen and the other of Cohen's husband, Ben Cohen, are also included.
Dates
- 1964-1991
Creator
- Cohen, Gertrude, 1913- (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
The papers are open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright has been transferred to the University of Iowa.
Biographical / Historical
Gertrude Siegel was born on November 1, 1913 in Chicago, Illinois. Siegel graduated from North High School in Minneapolis, and continued her education at the University of Minnesota where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in medical technology in 1934. In 1936, Siegel married New Yorker Ben Cohen; the couple moved to Waterloo, Iowa in 1941. The Cohens had two children, a son Loren, and a daughter Devra (later Devra Marcus). In 1965 Gertrude Cohen became the first Jewish woman elected to the Iowa Legislature. Cohen served a term (1965-1966) in the Iowa House of Representatives as a Democrat from Black Hawk county. Cohen served on the House Committees of Education, Industrial and Human Relations, and Public Health. Cohen has also been active in a variety of civic, political, and religious organizations.
Extent
1.00 linear inch
Artifacts and photographs in Box 1 other_unmapped
Abstract
Member of the Iowa House of Representatives, 1965-1966, and the first Jewish woman elected to the Iowa Legislature.
Method of Acquisition
The papers (donor no. 501) were donated by Gertrude Cohen in 1998.
Other Descriptive Information
http://sdrc.lib.uiowa.edu/iwa/findingaids/html/CohenGertrude.htm#content
- 20th century
- Archives (groupings)
- Black Hawk County (Iowa)
- Cohen, Gertrude, 1913-
- Cultural artifacts
- Democratic Party (Iowa)
- Iowa
- Iowa. General Assembly. House of Representatives
- Jewish women
- Jewish women -- Iowa
- Jews in public life
- Legislators
- Personal papers
- Photographs
- Women -- Political activity
- Women -- Political activity
- Women in public life
- Women lawyers
Creator
- Cohen, Gertrude, 1913- (Person)
- Author
- James Boucher, 1998.
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- eng
Repository Details
Part of the Iowa Women's Archives Repository
Contact:
100 Main Library
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City IA 52242 IaU
319-335-5068
319-335-5900 (Fax)
lib-women@uiowa.edu
100 Main Library
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City IA 52242 IaU
319-335-5068
319-335-5900 (Fax)
lib-women@uiowa.edu