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Charlene "Mac" Eblen papers

 Collection
Identifier: IWA0515

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Scope and Contents

The Charlene "Mac" Eblen papers date from 1965 to 2003 and measure 5 linear inches. The papers are arranged alphabetically and consist of Eblen's journals, correspondence, gardening calendars, and writings.

The bulk of the collection consists of Eblen's journals. After assigning her freshman classes the task of keeping a journal as a way of becoming comfortable with writing, Eblen decided that she should keep a journal as well. The travel journal aboard the STS "Lord Nelson" consists of notes taken aboard a ship designed to accommodate individuals with disabilities.

The correspondence includes a family history written by Eblen to her children in the form of letters, "Round Robin" letters with her husband's relatives, and letters concerning Eblen's trip to Russia in 2000.

The special occasion greetings are congratulatory flyers written by Eblen to family and friends for occasions such as birthdays and graduations. The miscellaneous writings contain materials related to Eblen's work at the University of Northern Iowa, as well as a gardening article she wrote.

Dates

  • Creation: 1965-2003

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The papers are open for research.

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

Charlene "Mac" Eblen, homemaker and English professor, was born Charlene Wilma Osborn in 1925 in Wichita, Kansas, to Blanche Osborn. In 1929, Blanche Osborn married Fred T. McFadden. Afterwards, Charlene Osborn was known as Charlene Wilma McFadden, though she was not legally adopted by Fred McFadden until the age of sixteen. When she was adopted, Charlene McFadden dropped her middle name, Wilma.”

Charlene McFadden graduated from East High School in Wichita, Kansas, in 1942 and went on to attend Wichita University, where she earned a BA in English in 1945. While at Wichita University, McFadden met Roy Eblen; they married in 1945 and had three children: Kathy, Rick, and David. In 1957, the family moved to a farm outside of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, so that Roy Eblen could begin work on a doctorate in speech pathology at the University of Iowa. After Roy Eblen received his PhD in 1960, he took a job at the University of Northern Iowa in the speech pathology department and the family moved to Cedar Falls, Iowa. Roy Eblen headed the clinic which now bears his name, the Roy Eblen Speech and Hearing Clinic. He died in 1998.

While Charlene "Mac" Eblen spent most of her children’s growing up years as a homemaker, she taught English briefly at both Wichita University and the University of Northern Iowa. After her children had grown, Eblen became a professor of English at the University of Northern Iowa. From 1967 to 1992, she taught Freshman Composition and Essay, as well as technical and report writing to seniors.

Extent

5.00 linear inches

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Homemaker from Wichita, Kansas whose papers consist primarily of journals.

Method of Acquisition

The papers (donor no. 894) were donated by Charlene "Mac" Eblen in 2003.

Author
Elizabeth Engel, 2006.
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)