Wake Women
Expanded Wake Voices
To celebrate women students’ ability to learn about the power of community
Donna Boswell ’72, MA ’74
and how to use it for meaningful social change.
At Homecoming 2021, Special Collections & Archives (SCA, Z. Smith Reynolds Library) collaborated with Strings alumni on a project to invite women from the various societies and sororities to consider donating artifacts and memorabilia to the library. SCA also talked about the need to better document the experience of women at Wake Forest and began actively collecting oral history interviews in the spring/summer 2022 with the help of undergraduate Parker Beverly (‘23), a documentary film creator.
Parker continues to increase our collection of oral histories documenting the history of women and other underrepresented groups at Wake Forest. SCA’s goal is to not only share and celebrate alumni and student history, but to also foster new connections and community through exhibits, events, and programming. Homecoming 2022 offers a unique opportunity to share what has already been created and also to invite new voices to join us.
Today, Wake Forest University is a more diverse community, however, this was not always the case. We invite you to a special Friday afternoon 2:00 screening of I’m a Woman, Phenomenally: History of Wake Forest Women in Pugh Auditorium (Benson Center). View the teaser here. This film, based on interviews conducted by Parker, tackles the subject of the history of women at Wake Forest. Throughout, you will hear from numerous Wake Forest women who candidly recall their experiences. From panty raids and morning mixers to Title IX and historic firsts, this film aims to provide a more complete picture of women’s history at Wake Forest. There will be an introduction about the project and a brief question and answer session with Parker which will be followed by a reception in the Tribble Courtyard. This will include refreshments, a popup exhibit on Wake Women, and additional time to speak with Parker.
If you miss Friday’s screening, the documentary may also be viewed on Saturday. Stop by Pugh Auditorium in Benson University Center. The documentary will begin at the top of each hour: 10:00 A.M., 11:00 A.M., and 12:00 P.M. There will not be a special program on Saturday.
But, we need your voice too! As mentioned before, we would like to invite you to participate in an interview–either during Homecoming (9-12 am in Benson 301, 30 minute interviews on Friday and Saturday mornings) or an interview to be scheduled at a later time. By adding your voice to this collection, you will help record and preserve the history of the University for future generations. To register, please send your contact information to zanisht@wfu.edu and we will set up a time for you to share your story.
For further information about this project or providing support for this work, please contact:
Tanya Zanish-Belcher, Director
Special Collections & Archives, Z. Smith Reynolds Library
Wake Forest University
Special Collections & Archives (SCA) serves as a research repository for rare, unique, and primary source materials in the Z. Smith Reynolds Library. Open to all, SCA acquires, preserves, and provides access to a wide range of primary research materials, both in-person and online. Since 2014, SCA has strived, through the creation and collecting of audio and video interviews, to expand the documentation of the Wake Forest experience, with particular attention to voices that are rarely heard in official histories.
Sunday, September 18 | 9:00 AM
Johnson Hall
Dedication of the Strings Parlor
All are welcome as we honor the first women community builders at Wake Forest alongside generations of inclusive student voices. We look forward to seeing you for a light breakfast, brief remarks and tours of this renovated residence hall.