Mary Kramer papers
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Scope and Contents
The Mary Kramer papers date from 1900 to 2015, with a majority of the material from the period 1974-2015, and measure nine linear feet in 22 boxes. The papers are arranged in seven series: Iowa General Assembly, Local and Partisan Activism, Ambassadorship, Political Photographs and Video, Professional, Speeches and Writing, and Family History.
The Iowa General Assembly (1990-2004) series holds materials relating to Kramer’s time serving in the Iowa Senate. The bulk of the series is made up of correspondence between Kramer and political action committees, constituents, and other legislators; it also contains memoranda, newspaper clippings and other publications, photographs, and a name tag.
The Local and Partisan Activism (1997-2005) series consists primarily of materials relating to Kramer’s participation in George W. Bush’s 2000 presidential campaign, including several pins. There are also materials relating to the Republican National Convention of that year. The series is completed by materials that pertain to local Des Moines organizations and issues Kramer was involved in.
The Ambassadorship (2002-2007) series holds records of Kramer’s time as the Ambassador to Barbados, including invitations, photographs, and correspondence. The majority of this series consists of materials documenting events Kramer attended.
The Political Photographs and Video (1990-2006) series is made up of photographs, both paper-based and digital, as well as digital video, of Kramer’s tenure in the Iowa General Assembly, her involvement in Republican party politics and organization, and her time as Ambassador.
The Professional (1975-1999) series relates to Kramer’s employment at Younkers and Wellmark. Included are newspaper clippings, awards, and correspondence. Materials from professional conferences Kramer attended and spoke at complete this series.
The Speeches and Writing (1982-2015) series contains speeches Kramer gave throughout both her corporate and political careers, as well as materials relating to Kramer’s memoirs.
The Family History (1900-1993) series consists of genealogical research into Kramer’s paternal (Barnett) and maternal (McElhinney) families. Included are autobiographical writings by family members, photographs, newspaper clippings, and family trees.
Dates
- Creation: 1900 - 2015
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1974 - 2015
Creator
- Kramer, Mary, (Legislator) (1935-) (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
The papers are open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright held by the donor has been retained by the donor. Copyright status for 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 University of Iowa Libraries Special Collections & Archives as the source of the material. For further information, visit https://www.lib.uiowa.edu/sc/services/rights/
Biographical / Historical
Mary Barnett Kramer was born on June 14, 1935, in Burlington, Iowa. She attended high school in Iowa City and continued her education at the University of Iowa, earning a BA in Piano Performance in 1957. Kramer also met her husband, Kay Kramer, at Iowa; the couple had two children, Kent and Krista. Kramer taught vocal music for several years before returning to Iowa for her MA in Education. She then worked as a teacher and administrator in Iowa City schools. In 1975, the family relocated to Des Moines, where Kramer began her corporate career as personnel director for Younkers department stores. Kramer transitioned to Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield in 1981, where she worked in human resources and community relations for 18 years. In 1990, Kramer was approached by three women urging her to run for office. Former Governor of Iowa Robert Ray, who was the CEO of Wellmark at the time, encouraged Kramer as well, hoping she might set an example for other corporate workers to serve in public office. Kramer won her election to the Iowa State Senate in 1990, representing parts of Des Moines, West Des Moines, and Clive. She focused on issues related to education and health insurance throughout her time as a senator. In 1992, Kramer was elected Assistant Minority Leader and in 1997, she became the first woman independently elected President of the Iowa Senate. Beyond her own office, Kramer was active as a political organizer, serving as a leader of George W. Bush’s 2000 presidential campaign in Iowa. In 2003, Bush appointed Mary Kramer as United States Ambassador to the Seven Nations of the Eastern Caribbean (a State Department designation that included Barbados, where Kramer resided during this period). She served as ambassador until her retirement in 2006. Kramer has written two books, More Than A Walk On The Beach: Confessions of an Unlikely Diplomat and An Unlikely Ambassador and Her Diplomatic Daughter: Stories and Recipes for the Life You Want, which was written with her daughter, Krista Kramer Hartman. In 2009, Mary Kramer was inducted into the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame.
Extent
9.2 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Iowa State Senator and United States Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The papers (donor no. 1318) were donated by Mary Kramer in 2013 and 2018.
Existence and Location of Copies
Digital materials found in the Political Photographs and Video series, the Speeches and Writing series, and the Family History series have been digitized but are not available online. Please email the Iowa Women's Archives to request access to these materials.
- Author
- Beatrice Kearns and Kate Orazem, 2024
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Iowa Women's Archives Repository
100 Main Library
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City IA 52242 IaU
319-335-5068
319-335-5900 (Fax)
lib-women@uiowa.edu