Dorothy Fox Wurster papers

Collection

Identifier: IWA0700

Staff Only
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Scope and Contents

The Dorothy Fox Wurster papers date from 1942 to 1987 and measure 2 linear inches. The bulk of the collection consists primarily of three 4-H record books: the boys' Monroe Livewires Club, the girls' Monroe Busy Bee Club, and a hobby record book of a four-leaf clover collection. In addition, there are photocopies of published stories about Dorothy Fox Wurster, and autobiographical stories and sketches that she wrote during or about this period. The story "The Fair Barn" was published in Iowa Barn in 2001. There is also a copy of the testimony she delivered to the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Hearings in Underwood, Iowa, 1987. There are numerous black and white photographs in the record books and loose photographs in the final folder.

Dates

Creation: 1942-1987

Creator

Wurster, Dorothy Fox, 1931- (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The papers are open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Coppyright held by the donor has been retained by the donor for "The Fair Barn." Other 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

Dorothy Fox Wurster was born April 23, 1931 to Ella Rose and Leslie Fox near Rose Hill in Mahaska County, Iowa. At age ten, she was interested in joining 4-H. In order for girls to join the boys' 4-H club, they had to participate in the girls' group as well. She therefore joined the Monroe Township girls' 4-H club "Busy Bees," of which her mother was co-leader, and the boys' 4-H club, the "Monroe Livewires," co-led by her father. She won the Mahaska County boys' 4-H club award for the best member under sixteen. She continued to show her Polled Hereford in 4-H cattle shows and competitions across the state, meeting her future husband at a judging contest in 1947.

She attended Iowa State Teachers' College, now the University of Northern Iowa, in 1948-1949, and taught rural school that fall. Dorothy Fox married Howard Wurster; they raised cattle on a Ringgold County farm. She began attending Graceland College when her son was in third grade, graduating in 1970. She taught kindergarten for thirty years in East Union Community school in Afton and earned a master's degree in Education in 1986. During the farm crisis of the 1980s, she led a support group, and in 1987 spoke effectively before the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Hearing on the farm crisis in Underwood, Iowa. [See "Writings" folder for more biographical information]