Rural Women's History Project

The Rural Women's History Project, sponsored by the University of Idaho Women's Center, was funded by a grant from the Association for the Humanities in Idaho in the amount of $15,556 in the Fall of 1974; an additional $10,000 was received the following year to continue the project. The project had three stages, interviews with rural women, dramatic presentations based on the interviews, and small group discussions, many of which resulted in more interviews. Presentations were given in over 20 communities in Latah, Benewah, Clearwater, Nezperce, and Shoshone counties, and over 100 women were interviewed. Those working on the project learned about the history of rural women's roles and their contributions to their families and communities. They also learned about the changes that have taken place in women's lives and how those changes affected how women felt about themselves and what concerned them about their families and communities. Project staff members included Corky Bush, Lenore Garwood, Lillie Hermann, Isabel Miller, Connie Kiesler, and Joy Williams.