IOWA WOMEN’S ARCHIVES
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA LIBRARIES
IOWA CITY, IOWA
RUTH SCHANKE (1941-
PAPERS, 1994-1997
1 linear inch
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ACQUISITION: |
The papers (donor no. 465 ) were donated by Ruth Schanke in 1997. |
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ACCESS: |
The papers are open for research. |
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COPYRIGHT: |
Copyright has been transferred to the University of Iowa. |
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PROCESSED BY: |
Margaret Richardson, 1998. |
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REVISED: |
Robert J. Jett, July 17,
1998, version WORD97. |
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Biography
Ruth Schanke, born in 1941 the daughter of a
Lutheran minister, majored in sociology at Midland College in Fremont,
Nebraska, graduating in 1963. In 1964
she married Robert Schanke, who later became a professor of theater at Central
College in Pella, Iowa. A daughter,
Julie, was born in 1967. After twelve
years of marriage the Schankes together faced the issue of Bob Schanke’s
homosexuality. They stayed married ten
more years, divorcing in 1987. In 1994
Ruth Schanke organized a support group at Plymouth Congregational Church in Des
Moines called Spouses of Gays and Lesbians.
Ruth Schanke, a teacher and social worker, became an administrator in
the Iowa Department of Human Services in Des Moines, Iowa.
Scope and Content Note
The Ruth Schanke papers date from 1994 to 1997 and measure 1 linear inch. The papers are arranged in one folder under the following headings: Family chronicle, Newspaper
articles, Spouses of Gays and Lesbians,
and Miscellaneous printed material. The
Family chronicle consists of biographical material about Ruth Schanke and
family chronologies written by Ruth Schanke and Bob Schanke consisting of
photographs and text chronicling the history of the Schankes’ marriage and
their family life since their divorce.
The Newspaper articles contain
one discussing the dissolution of the marriage, the other reporting two hate
letters sent to Bob Schanke in 1991 and the ensuing support the students and
faculty of Central College provided him.
The Spouses of Gays and Lesbians contains
printed materials and articles directed to family members and friends of gays
and lesbians distributed at meetings of Spouses of Gays and Lesbians sponsored
by the Plymouth Congregational Church.
The Miscellaneous Printed Material
concerns conferences and organizations that address gay and lesbian issues.
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'>Box no. Description
Folder
1
Family chronicle
Ruth Schanke biographical
material
Family chronicle, 1964-1994,
by Ruth Schanke, 1997
Family chronicle, 1994-1997,
by Bob Schanke, 1997
Newspaper articles
“Coming Out in a Marriage,”
by Betsy Rubiner, Des Moines
Register, November 6, 1994
“Campus Backs Gay Prof,” by
Mark Siebert, Des Moines Register,
October 7, 1997
Spouses of Gays and Lesbians (Plymouth Congregational
Church, Des Moines)
Printed material, 1990s
Articles given to new
members
Miscellaneous printed material