University of North Carolina at Asheville
D. Hiden Ramsey Library
Special Collections/University Archives

Oral History Register
for

Florence Iddings Ryan, 1894-1994
and Nanine Iddings

OH-VOA R93 Fl
Interview One

Florence Ryan, age 2, mother Effie Iddings, Nanine Iddings
Voices of Asheville Oral History Collection
D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNCA

Title

Creator

Alice Weed for AAUW oral history project
Abstract by Dorothy Joynes for Voices of Asheville Oral History

Subject

LCSH:
Ryan, Florence Iddings, 1894-1994
Iddings, Nanine
Asheville (N.C.) -- History
American Association of University Women -- North Carolina -- Asheville
League of Women Voters -- North Carolina -- Asheville
Equal Rights Amendments -- North Carolina

Subject

Description

Abstract: Nadine Iddings discusses her education, and her involvement with AAUW, where she served as state treasurer, vice president and president.  She describes her family, specifically her mother and sister, Florence Ryan.  She discusses her experience working in education, at a Catholic Boy's high school and at the Country Day School.  Florence discusses several of her political views on controversial issues such as abortion and birth control, civil rights, public welfare, and child guidance.  She lists several political demonstrations in which she has been involved through the years.

Publisher

D. H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville, NC, 28804

Contributor

Date

Electronic Record Issued: 2002-05-08

Type

Sound ; Text ; Image

Format

Physical Description: 17-page abstract ; 3 90-minute audiocassettes and 3 copies ; 10 black and white photographs ; 2 sets of negatives ; newspaper articles

Identifier

Source

OH-VOA R93 Fl

Language

English

Relation

References: VOA Jessie Huff Oral History ; VOA Jane Craig Oral History ; VOA Eone Harger Oral History ; VOA Mary Hyde Oral History ; VOA Helen Reed Oral History ; VOA Marjorie Lockwood Oral History

Coverage

Acquisition

Donor number: 146 ;  Date of acquisition: 1998

Processed By

Dorothy Joynes, Ruth Beard and staff

Interview Date

Interview Location

Biography

List of names

Tape 1, Side 1:

[I/1/1] Nadine Iddings discusses her name.

[I/1/22]  She moved to Edwin Place with her mother in 1920 from Nebraska.  She graduated from teacher's college and joined AAUW in 1926. [Mary Renee Smith]

[I/1/32]  Attended college club meetings and when AAUW was formed here she became state treasurer, president and twice vice president locally in charge of programs and membership. [Caroline Dande, Mary Blackstone]

[I/1/114]  Focus of meetings was on study and book sharing but a rummage sale was held to raise money to send to China. [Lula Rockwell, Kiffin Rockwell (young Asheville pilot who helped found the Lafayette Escadrille early in World War I]

[I/1/144]  Her sister (Florence Ryan) divorced, brought children home and mother bought a larger house. [Florence Ryan]

[I/1/150]  Florence active in political marches

[I/1/174]  Her father had been a successful business man in a variety of ventures - lumber, coal, grain elevators and flour mill in Nebraska.

[I/1/193]  Education was important to the family.  Her brother went into business. [Henry Iddings]

[I/1/240]  Money was given for kindergarten by Pack.  Her last job was at the Country Day School.  She taught kindergarten to 6th grades in the Catholic boy's high school. [Gibbons Hall School for Boys, 12 Oakland Rd.] [George Pack]

[I/1/273]  On her mother's death the property was divided.  She supplemented her income by renting a garage apartment in Lake View Park (this ruling was a grand-fathered exception).

[I/1/327]  The ERA movement is discussed.

[I/1/501]  A group, which started in her house, was the only one to include blacks. [Harriet Haith]

End of tape not clear.

Side 2:

[I/2/1]  Florence joined AAUW in 1948.  She had been with Red Cross as social worker and transferred to the Veteran's Administration.

[I/2/20]  She discusses her education (for details see 3-90 min tapes of her interview D.C. Joynes).

[I/2/63]  While in college she discussed birth control with a Catholic priest in Nebraska.  This was during the Depression and Planned Parenthood was starting. [Margaret Sanger]

[I/2/103]  March in Washington regarding abortion discussed. [President Thomas (college)]

[I/2/110]  Child Guidance, Children's Bureau, social security, public welfare and sterilization discussed. [Alice Bailey]

[I/2/278]  Her mother had been unable to attend a 4-year college and wanted her children to attend.  Florence didn't want to go in Nebraska so chose Bryn Mawr.

[I/2/323]  She married in war time (1918) and 20 years later went to graduate school on a scholarship.

[I/2/361]  Joined AAUW when she moved to Asheville. [Dr. Young, Dixie Lee Bryant]

[I/2/423]  Despite her interest in politics she couldn't be active while working at Oteen but she was responsible for writing a bill which was past regarding the marriage of people with TB - tape cut in middle. [Mr. Greenwood]

Tape 2, Side 1:

(Side 2 blank)

[II/1/1] She was awarded $100 for activity.

[II/1/12]  She retired at 64.

[II/1/25]  The march on civil rights in Washington was televised.  Over 300,000 attended. [Becky Trump]

[II/1/162]  Discussion of pro-choice marches in Asheville. [Gene Rainey, Roslyn (Mrs. Jimmy) Carter, Margaret Griffin, Senator Sam Ervin]

[II/1/223]  ERA introduction and 7-year limitation described.

[II/1/285]  Women of all ages are increasingly involved.  She was blessed with good health and has been active during the 25 years of her retirement.

Thanks.

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