The University of Iowa Libraries

Mildred Adelaide Irene Coleman was born July 11, 1904 in Bowsers Crossing, Iowa. From birth she was called Irene. Her family moved to Ogden, Iowa, where she attended school, graduating in 1922 with a Normal Training degree. She taught in two one-room schools and was paid $65.00 a month. She married Robert Lee Buckley on April 17, 1923. This marriage ended her teaching career, as married women were not allowed to teach. She raised several children, maintained a large garden, and joined the local chapter of the American Legion Auxiliary serving as its historian for twenty-two years. While raising her family Irene Buckley got a job at the Ogden Public Library which she dearly enjoyed. She especially liked working with the children at the library. During these years Buckley also began a writing career, creating a large amount of poetry and occasional skits. Irene Buckley died November 7, 2006.

Arrangement: One folder, shelved in SCVF.

Access: "A Handful of Rain: The Life of Irene Buckley" is open for research.

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

Acquisition: "A Handful of Rain:The Life of Irene Buckley" was donated by Irene Buckley (donor no. 551) in 1998.

Preferred Citation: Irene Coleman Buckley memoir, Iowa Women's Archives, The University of Iowa Libraries, Iowa City.

This collection is indexed under the following subject terms.