The University of Iowa Libraries

Sue M. Reed was born on February 19, 1910 in Franklin County, Iowa. She attended Des Moines University and the University of Commerce (now the American Institute of Business.) Reed worked from 1935 to 1945 in the War Department in the Quartermaster Department, in which clothing and subsistence was provided for a body of troops, and in the War Ordnance Department, which was in charge of procuring, distributing, and storing military supplies. She also worked inthe Iowa House of Representatives as journal clerk and chief journal clerk from 1950 to 1973.

Reed was an advocate for greater participation by women in civic and political affairs. She served as state president of the Iowa Council of Republican Womenfrom 1963 to 1964. She also held the positions of membership chairman of the National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW) from 1970 to 1971 and historian for the NFRW from 1972 to 1975.

Iowa governor Robert D. Ray appointed Sue Reed as a public member of the State Medical Assistance Advisory Council in 1971. Reed was also the state volunteer chairman and the Polk County coordinator for the Nixon re-election campaign in 1972.

The Sue M. Reed papers date from 1934 to 1996 and measure 5 linear inches.  The papers are arranged in four series: Biographical, Iowa American Revolution Bicentennial Commission, Iowa Council of Republican Women, and Newsletters.

The Biographical series (1954-1972 and undated) consists of a resume and newspaper clippings which highlight Reed's career, including her appointment by Governor Robert Ray to a term on the Medical Assistance Advisory Council.

The Iowa American Revolution Bicentennial Commission series (1977) is composed of an album documenting the creation of the Iowa First Ladies Dolls in Inaugural Gowns collection, an idea suggested by Mrs. Robert D. Ray as her state Bicentennial Project.  Included are brief biographies of each of the First Ladies and miscellaneous photographs. The project was financed by a federal grant from the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration and a matching grant from the Iowa American Revolution Bicentennial Commission.

The Iowa Council of Republican Women series (1934-1996) primarily consists of agendas and papers which Reed presented during her term as president from 1963 to 1964.  Included are two different essays she delivered on the importance of membership.

Included are letters Reed received or wrote while holding various offices in the Iowa Council of Republican Women and yearbooks of the Council (which underwent a name change in 1968 to become the Iowa Federation of Republican Women) which include officer and committee rosters, bylaws, and other information.  The correspondence documents how Reed's active involvement encouraged other women to participate in civic and political affairs at every level of government.  Attached is a list of the correspondents, in alphabetical order.

The Newsletters series (1962-1971) consists of Republican newsletters to which Reed contributed articles or in which she was mentioned.

Alternate Extent Statement: Photographs in Box 1.

Access: The papers are open for research.

Use: Copyright held by the donor has been transferred to The University of Iowa.

Acquisition: The Sue M. Reed papers (donor no. 194) were donated in 1993 and succeeding years.

Preferred Citation: Sue M. Reed papers, Iowa Women's Archives, The University of Iowa Libraries, Iowa City.

Repository:	Iowa Women's Archives
Address:	100 Main Library University of Iowa Libraries Iowa City, IA 52242
Phone:	319-335-5068
Curator:	Kären Mason
Email:	lib-women@uiowa.edu
Website:	http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/iwa

This collection is indexed under the following subject terms.

Personal Names:
Reed, Sue M., 1910-

Corporate Names:
Iowa General Assembly, House of Representatives
Republican Party (Iowa)
Iowa American Revolution Bicentennial Commission
Iowa Council of Republican Women
National Federation of Republican Women

Dates:
20th century

Topics:
Women and war
World War, 1939-1945
Women in politics
Political participation

Occupations:
Political activists
Public officers

Genre/Form of Materials:
Archives
Photographs
Personal papers
Yearbooks

Browse:
Women and War
Women, Politics and the Law