IOWA WOMEN’S ARCHIVES
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA LIBRARIES
IOWA CITY, IOWA
EDNA FLESNER (1904-2004)
NORTHN
»SCRAPBOOKRECORDS/RECORDS?PAPERS, 1925-2004(bulk 1889-
2.5 linear inches
DATES:»
»QUANTITY:»
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ACQUISITION:
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The» papers (donor no. 743) were
donated» by Edna Flesner in
2000.
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ACCESS:
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The papers are open for research.
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COPYRIGHT:
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»Copyright held by the donor has been transferred
to the University
of Iowa.
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PHOTOGRAPHS:
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In folder two.
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PROCESSED BY:
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Andrea Rasmusson, 2001.
[FlesnerEdna.doc]
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»Biography
Edna
Flesner, a high school biology teacher, was born in 1904 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. After graduating at age seventeen from high
school, Flesner worked briefly at a local packing plant before attending Coe College. She transferred to the State University of
Iowa, now the University
of Iowa, after one year
at Coe and received her BA in 1927. In
1928, she received her M.S. degree in botany and entomology.
Flesner
began her teaching career in 1928 at City
High School in Iowa City.
She taught biology at City High for the next thirty-nine years before
retiring in 1967. Several years after retiring
she moved to Eureka, Illinois with her sister, where she participated actively
in volunteer work, the Eureka chapter of the American Association of University
Women (AAUW), Household Science Club, and Women’s Club. In 1999, she was inducted into City High
School’s Hall of Fame. Edna Flesner died in 2004.
Scope and Content Note
The
Edna Flesner papers date from 1925-2004 and measure 2.5 linear inches. The papers are arranged in three series: Biographical materials, Photographs, and Correspondence. The Biographical Materials folder
(1999-2004) contains a biographical sketch and a newspaper clipping about
Flesner. The Photographs (1925-1940s, 1999) include group photographs of City
High teachers, various photographs of Flesner around City High, a college
photograph at the University
of Iowa, and photographs
of Flesner after receiving the Hall of Fame award at City High. The Correspondence
(1998-2000 and undated) consists of five folders, mostly birthday and
Christmas cards from former students at City High School, along with letters
from students congratulating Flesner on her Hall of Fame award. A few cards from members of her retirement
community are also included. Flesner’s
correspondence provides insight into the teacher-student relationship, as
former students reflect on their experiences in Flesner’s classroom. These former students include researchers,
scientists, a Wall Street investment banker, geologists, World War II veterans,
college professors, engineers, doctors, teachers, and even a Nobel Peace Prize
winner. They credit Flesner with
inspiring them and motivating them to succeed in their chosen fields.
Box no. Description
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Box 1
Biographical Materials
Photographs, 1925-40s, 2000
Correspondence
Birthday cards, 1998 and
undated
January-April 1999
May-December 1999
2000