Iowa Women's Archives
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City, Iowa

MARILYN MURPHY (1921- )

PAPERS, 1973-1996
10 linear inches

Collection Overview

Biography

Marilyn O. Delaney Murphy, homemaker and faith-based social activist, was born in 1921 in Ponca, Nebraska, to Raymond and Mary Frances Delaney. She served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1945, and in 1947, she graduated from Briar Cliff College in Sioux City, Iowa, and married Raymond William Murphy. Together they had three children: Timothy, Molly, and Margaret. Raymond Murphy died in 1976.

Marilyn Murphy remained a homemaker until 1972 when she became the Social Concerns Facilitator/Rural Life Contact for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Sioux City, Iowa. In that capacity, she wrote commentaries for The Globe, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Sioux City. In the 1980s, she became actively involved with peace organizations such as the Iowa Church Leaders Peace Caravan and Siouxlanders Concerned About the Nuclear Arms Race (SCANAR), an ecumenical citizens’ group seeking the reduction of nuclear arms and the promotion of peaceful alternatives. Murphy also advocated women’s rights through her work with Justice for Women in the Church, Inc. and the Siouxland Women’s Political Caucus (SWPC) where she served on the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) committee. During the 1990s, Murphy also served on the United Way of Siouxland’s women’s task force. In 1988, Murphy was inducted into the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame.

Scope and Content Note

The Marilyn O. Murphy papers date from 1973 to 1996 and measure 10 linear inches. The papers are arranged alphabetically and are comprised mainly of materials related to Murphy’s involvement in political and peace activism in organizations such as the Iowa Church Leaders Peace Caravan, Siouxlanders Concerned About the Nuclear Arms Race (SCANAR), and the Siouxland Women’s Political Caucus (SWPC).

The SWPC materials contain membership lists, minutes, scattered newsletters, and questionnaires distributed to city council candidates in 1989. “Remembering Unsung Heroes,” a booklet published by the Sioux City Catholic Charities celebrating one hundred years of Catholic social teaching, contains a brief account of Murphy’s husband’s contribution to the church and community. The Resources folder contains copies of “Woman: A Feminist Newsletter” published by Morningside College’s Center for Women.

Related Collections

Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame

Iowa Women’s Political Caucus

Box List

Box 1

Biographical information, 1988 Catholic Charities commentaries by Marilyn Murphy for The Globe, 1983-1984 Iowa Church Leaders Peace Caravan

General, 1982-1984 Newspaper clippings, 1984 Peace prayer vigil format, 1984 Publicity, 1984

Iowa farm crisis committee, 1980-1985 Justice for Women in the Church, Inc., 1975-1979 “Remembering Unsung Heroes,” ( Sioux City Catholic Charities), 1991 Resources, 1990-1991 Siouxland Women’s Political Caucus (SWPC)

General, 1979-1992 Bylaws, 1976-1989 and undated City boards and commissions

General, 1981-1990 and undated Roster of qualified women for public appointment, 1990

ERA committees

1977-1998 (3 folders)

Box 2

Newspaper clippings, 1992-1993

Iowa Women’s Political Caucus, 1973-1996 Newspaper clippings, 1989-1992 Women for Harkin for Women talking points, 1990

Siouxlanders Concerned About the Nuclear Arms Race (SCANAR)

General, 1983-1995 Hiroshima Observance Day, 1983-1991 Mailing lists, 1986-1990 and undated Minutes, 1985-1995 Newsletters, 1983-1989

Tri-State Women’s Alliance, 1989 United Way of Siouxland

“Compass Survey … for a better quality of life in Siouxland,” 1993 Women’s task force

General, 1994-1995 Report, 1996

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