Chrysalis Foundation records

Collection

Identifier: IWA1012

Staff Only
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Scope and Contents

The Chrysalis Foundation records date from 1985 to 2016 and measure 15 linear inches. The records are arranged in nine series: History, Board of Directors records, Iowa Women's Archives, Conferences and events, Photographs, Publications, Reports, Audiovisual, and Artifacts.

The History series dates from 1985 to 2016 and is comprised of current organizational information, background material of past attempts to create a women's foundation, biographical information concerning Louise Noun (founder), and correspondence from The LINKS, Inc. and the Women's Economic Development Group Enterprises, Inc.(WEDGE), both organizations providing services and funding to women.

The Board of Directors records series dates from 1984 to 2001 and is comprised of the Board of Directors minutes, correspondence, financial statements, bylaws, and proposals. The series is organized by the original arrangement of the Chrysalis Foundation. Student scholarship applications are closed with the exception of a sample in which personally identifiable information has been redacted.

The Iowa Women Archives series dates from 1990 to1991 and reflects the selling of the Frida Kahlo painting "Self Portrait with Loose Hair." The painting was originally purchased by Louise Noun in 1983. Noun, seeing a need for a women's archive in Iowa, sold the 1947 painting to fund the creation of the Iowa Women's Archives.

The Conferences and events series dates from 1993 to 2004 and includes correspondence and notes regarding the Iowa Women's Voices Conference (1993) and the play "Chrysalis in the Wings" (2004) by the Des Moines Community Playhouse.

The Publications series dates from 2010 and includes "The Power of Her," a short book honoring inspirational women. The book was published by the Chrysalis Foundation in 2010.

The Reports series dates from 2012 and 2015. The three reports within the series include She Matters: 2012 Status of Women and Girls in Iowa, She Matters: Top Ten Issues (2012) and She Matters: 2015 Issues and Actions.

The Photographs series dates from 1998 and includes photographs of the 90th birthday celebration of Louise Noun on March 16, 1998 in Des Moines, Iowa.

The Audiovisual series dates from 2004 and includes a videocassette recording of the play, "Chrysalis in the Wings" by the Des Moines Community Playhouse.

The Artifacts series dates from 1993 to 1995 and includes several buttons and pins. The series also contains two medals presented to Louise Noun. The medals are from the Iowa Commission of the Status of Women (1993) and the Ms. Foundation (1995).

Dates

Creation: 1984-2016

Creator

Noun, Louise R. (1908-2002) (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The papers are open for research, except for one closed box of files removed from the Board of Directors records series. The closed materials include several folders donated by Louise Noun and transferred to the Chrysalis Foundation records.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright held by the donor has been transferred to the University of Iowa.

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

Established in 1989, the Chrysalis Foundation is a Des Moines area organization providing resources and funding to girls and women in central Iowa. Louise Rosenfield Noun created the organization with assistance from Senator Elaine Szymoniak and Attorney Barbara Barrett. The mission of the organization is to improve the quality of life for girls and women through philanthropy, advocacy, and community involvement. The foundation primarily awards grants to individuals and groups citing social and/or economic needs.