Mary and Elsie Rokahr, Cooperative Extension
Papers
Title: Mary and Elsie
Rokahr, Cooperative Extension Papers
Creator: Rokahr,
Mary A, 1892-1972
Creator: Rokahr,
Elsie K, 1882-1970
Dates: 1902-1968
Quantity: 13 boxes (7 linear feet)
Collection Number: RG 11-07-10
Language: English
Restrictions: None
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Historical Records Statement: Please see our statement on historical records and materials.
Preferred Citation: Mary and Elsie Rokahr, Cooperative Extension Papers (RG 11-07-10). Archives &
Special Collections, University of Nebraska–Lincoln Libraries.
Alternative Format: None
Biography:
Mary Ann Rokahr was born in 1892 in Omaha, Nebraska. She graduated with a Bachelor of
Arts from the University of Nebraska (NU) Teacher's College in 1914, with a focus on
teaching home economics and chemistry. After receiving her degree, Rokahr joined the
NU Department of Agricultural Extension as a home demonstration agent until 1918.
She moved to the University of Wyoming to work as a state home demonstration agent
from 1918-1929 and received her Masters of Arts in home management from Colombia
University in 1926.
In 1929, Mary Rokahr was appointed the first federal extension specialist in home
management at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Extension Service
in Washington D.C. As a federal specialist, she managed 45 state home management
specialists and worked with farmers to improve kitchen equipment in rural homes. She
traveled across the country to teach courses and give talks about the importance of
efficient housekeeping, improving housing conditions, and home financial planning
and economics. She founded the Home Economics Conference in Washington D.C. that
addressed housing conditions in Hinds County, Mississippi, and was invited to many
conferences and social events at the White House from 1930-1950.
After retiring from the USDA in 1953, Mary Rokahr was appointed the head of the Home
Economics Department at the University of Connecticut. In 1956, she returned to NU
to head the Home Economics section of the University of Nebraska mission to Turkey
(1956-1958) where she worked with Turkish educators to establish home economics
college program at the University of Ankara. She received many awards for her
service, including the University of Nebraska Builder's Distinguished Service award
(1951), University of Nebraska Distinguished Service Award (1951), multiple USDA
Service Awards (1948-1950), and was acknowledged by the Women's Foundation for her
publications on farm and home economics. She died in New York in 1972.
Elsie Katherine Rokahr, Mary's older sister, was born in 1892 in Omaha, Nebraska. She
graduated from the University of Nebraska Teacher's College with a Bachelor of Arts
in 1910, with the qualifications to teach Latin and German. She taught at Lincoln
High School for four years and chaired the University of Nebraska's foreign
languages department for 45 years. She died in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1970.
Scope and Content:
The Mary and Elsie Rokahr papers include diaries and travel journals, correspondence,
photographs, scrapbooks, and memorabilia related to the work, travels, and personal
lives of Mary Rokahr and her sister Elsie Rokahr. The teaching and extension
materials relate primarily to home economics, women, and the University of
Nebraska's teaching programs in Turkey and Yugoslavia.
Based on the arrangement of the papers, it appears that after the death of Elsie
Rokahr, her papers were added to those of her surviving sister Mary. For this
reason, the collection includes materials collected by both sisters. Photographic
materials have been housed separately due to their format. Notes appear on the
finding aid next to series or folder titles where appropriate.
Subjects:
Rokahr, Mary A, 1892-1972
Rokahr, Elsie K, 1882-1970
Home economics - 20th century
Home economics extension work
Home economics extension work -- Wyoming
International travel
Travel
Souvenirs (Keepsakes)
Women -- education
Turkey
Yugoslavia
American Public Health Association
Associated Country Women of the World
Mrs. America Pageant, Inc.
Series Description:
Series 1: Journals and Diaries, 1902-1969Includes personal diaries and travel journals that describe the travels of
Mary and Elsie Rokhar in Europe, the United States, Germany, Japan, the
Philippines, and many other countries around the world. See box 9 and 10 for
trip itineraries and travel materials and box 11 for photographs.
Series 2: Correspondence, 1910-1968This series consists of Mary and Elsie's correspondence relating to family
matters, travels, and professional activities.
Series 3: Teaching and Extension Service Material, 1910-1965This series includes correspondence, reference material, notes, conference
programs, USDA Agriculture radio talks, home economics course materials,
Mrs. America Pageant judging books, UN Turkish and Yugoslavian programs, and
other materials relating to Mary Rokahr's service as a home economics
extension agent and her involvement in the University of Connecticut and UN
Departments of Home Economics.
Series 4: Travel and Memorabilia, 1910-1967This series includes photographs, programs and tickets, itineraries, and
guidebooks relating to the foreign travels of both sisters. There are also
collected materials, such as newspaper clippings that relate to the
activities of Mary, Elsie, and their father Herbert Rokahr, White House
invitations (1930-1950), Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry Truman inauguration
tickets, concert and opera programs, playbills, and greeting cards.
Series 5: School Records, 1902-1954The records consist of college term papers, diplomas, commencement programs,
and a 1914 Lincoln High School yearbook.
Series 6: Photographs and Scrapbooks, 1910-1914Includes family photographs, portraits, travel photos, and other photographs
collected by the two sisters. The University of Nebraska scrapbook of Mary
Rokahr relates to her years as a student from 1910-1914 (see oversize box
13).
Container List:
Series 1: Journals and DiariesBox 1. Folder 1. Elsie Rokahr diaries and journals, 1904-1906 1912, 1926
Box 1. Folder 2. Elsie Rokahr diaries and journals, 1931-1935
Box 1. Folder 3. Elsie Rokahr diaries and journals, Around the World
trip, 1950, 1956
Box 1. Folder 4. Mary Rokahr diaries and journals, 1902, 1905-1910
Box 1. Folder 5. Mary Rokahr diaries and journals, 1914-1916
Box 1. Folder 6. Mary Rokahr diaries and journals, 1917
Box 2. Folder 1. Mary Rokahr diaries and journals, 1925-1929
Box 2. Folder 2. Mary Rokahr diaries and journals, 1930-1939
Box 2. Folder 3. Mary Rokahr diaries and journals, Around the World
trip, 1950, 1958
Box 2. Folder 4. Mary Rokahr diaries and journals, 1959-1960
Box 2. Folder 5. Mary Rokahr diaries and journals, 1961-1962
Box 2. Folder 6. Mary Rokahr diaries and journals, 1963-1965
Box 3. Folder 1. Mary Rokahr diaries and journals, 1966-1967
Box 3. Folder 2. Mary Rokahr diaries and journals, 1968-1969
Series 2: CorrespondenceBox 3. Folder 3. Correspondence, 1910-1913
Box 3. Folder 4. Correspondence, 1914-1922
Box 3. Folder 5. Correspondence, 1923-1926
Box 3. Folder 6. Correspondence, 1927-1929
Box 3. Folder 7. Correspondence, 1930-1932
Box 3. Folder 8. Correspondence, 1933-1935
Box 3. Folder 9. Correspondence, 1936
Box 3. Folder 10. Correspondence, 1937
Box 3. Folder 11. Correspondence, foreign countries, 1937-1968
Box 3. Folder 12. Correspondence, 1938
Box 3. Folder 13. Correspondence, 1939-1940
Box 3. Folder 14. Correspondence, 1941
Box 3. Folder 15. Correspondence, 1942-1944
Box 3. Folder 16. Correspondence, 1945
Box 4. Folder 1. Correspondence, 1946-1947
Box 4. Folder 2. Correspondence, 1948
Box 4. Folder 3. Correspondence, 1949
Box 4. Folder 4. Correspondence, Around the World, 1950
Box 4. Folder 5. Correspondence, 1950-1952
Box 4. Folder 6. Correspondence, 1953
Box 4. Folder 7. Correspondence, 1954-1955
Box 4. Folder 8. Correspondence, 1956-1968
Box 4. Folder 9. Correspondence, Africa trip, 1964
Box 4. Folder 10. Elsie Rokahr, correspondence, 1903-1939
Series 3: Teaching and Extension Service MaterialBox 4. Folder 11. American Public Health Association, 1946-1956
Box 4. Folder 12. Articles by Mary Rokahr, 1929-1953
Box 4. Folder 13. Associated Country Women of the World, 1935 (see also Box 11, Folder 1)
Box 4. Folder 14. Conference programs, 1917-1956
Box 5. Folder 1. Education and role of women, 1959-1963
Box 5. Folder 2. Family Economics, 1928-1958
Box 5. Folder 3. Family Economics course, 1910-1929
Box 5. Folder 4. Family Finance course, 1963
Box 5. Folder 5. Family Food Marketing movie script
Box 5. Folder 6. Farmers' Institutes, 1914
Box 5. Folder 7. Foreign students, 1954-1960
Box 5. Folder 8. Home demonstration agent narrative reports, Wyoming, 1919-1922
Box 5. Folder 9. Home demonstration agent narrative reports, Wyoming, 1922-1924
Box 5. Folder 10. Home Demonstration lecture notes, 1931
Box 5. Folder 11. Home Management, 1952-1955
Box 5. Folder 12. Home Management courses, Nebraska, Connecticut, 1953-1963
Box 5. Folder 13. Honors courses, 1961-1965
Box 6. Folder 1. International Cooperation Administration-Home Economics (ICA-HE)
extension supervision, 1960 (see also Box 11, Folder 2)
Box 6. Folder 2. Mrs. America Pageant judging book, 1955
Box 6. Folder 3. Mrs. America Pageant program, 1956
Box 6. Folder 4. Peace Corps, University of Nebraska, 1963
Box 6. Folder 5. Radio talks, 1930-1944
Box 6. Folder 6. Scottsbluff Home Demonstration Work, 1918
Box 6. Folder 7. Seventh International Management Congress, 1938
Box 6. Folder 8. Speeches and articles, includes "Status
of Women in Changing World" by Mary Rokahr, 1933-1961
Box 6. Folder 9. Talk notes, 1955-1966
Box 6. Folder 10. Status of Women, American Association of University
Women, 1961
Box 6. Folder 11. Talks, conference addresses, 1926-1953
Box 6. Folder 12. Talk notes, 1955-1966
Box 7. Folder 1. Three Year Plan, Home Economics Extension Service, 1947-1950
Box 7. Folder 2. Turkish Program, 1950s (see also Box 12, Folder 6)
Box 7. Folder 3. Turkish Program, 1956-1957
Box 7. Folder 4. Turkish Program, 1958-1960
Box 7. Folder 5. Turkish Program, lecture notes, 1957
Box 7. Folder 6. USDA Extension Service talks, papers, circulars,
reports, 1918-1953
Box 7. Folder 7. USDA Service Awards, 1948-1950 (see also Box 12, Folder 7)
Box 7. Folder 8. University of Nebraska Distinguished Service Award, 1951
Box 7. Folder 9. Washington Society for Advancement of Management, 1953
Box 7. Folder 10. Western Washington State College, 1962-1963
Box 8. Folder 1. Western Washington State College yearbook, 1962-1963
Box 8. Folder 2. Wyoming Extension Service, 1919-1945 (see also Box 12, Folder 8)
Box 8. Folder 3. Book, "Wyoming History of Extension
Work," 1914-1964
Box 8. Folder 4. Wyoming Home Economics and Agriculture Extension programs and
bulletins, 1939-1958
Box 8. Folder 5. Yugoslavia Program, 1959
Series 4: Travel and MemorabiliaBox 8. Folder 6. Concert and opera programs, 1925-1967
Box 8. Folder 7. Educational tour, 1960
Box 8. Folder 8. Foreign travel
Box 8. Folder 9. Greeting cards
Box 8. Folder 10. Memorabilia
Box 9. Folder 1. Newspaper, magazine clippings, 1910-1920s
Box 9. Folder 2. Newspaper, magazine clippings, 1930s
Box 9. Folder 3. Newspaper, magazine clippings, 1940s
Box 9. Folder 4. Newspaper, magazine clippings, 1950-1970s
Box 9. Folder 5. Newspaper, magazine clippings, undated
Box 9. Folder 6. Playbills, 1925-1939
Box 9. Folder 7. Playbills, 1940-1954
Box 9. Folder 8. Receipts, 1964, Sept.-1964, Oct.
Box 9. Folder 9. Trip to Africa, 1964
Box 9. Folder 10. Trip to Africa, itineraries, 1964
Box 9. Folder 11. Trip to Africa, wildlife guides, 1964
Box 9. Folder 12. Trip to Alaska, 1963
Box 9. Folder 13. Trip to Alaska, postcards, 1963
Box 9. Folder 14. Trip Around the World, 1950 (see also Box 12, Folder 1)
Box 9. Folder 15. Trip Around the World itineraries, 1950
Box 9. Folder 16. Trip to Europe, Elsie Rokahr, 1912 (see also Box 12, Folder 3)
Box 9. Folder 17. Trip to Europe, 1926
Box 10. Folder 1. Trip to Germany, 1937 (see also Box 12, Folder 4)
Box 10. Folder 2. Trip to South America, 1962
Box 10. Folder 3. Trip to South Pacific and Orient, 1968 (see also Box 12, Folder 5)
Box 10. Folder 4. Trip to South Pacific and Orient, itineraries, 1968
Box 10. Folder 5. White House invitations, 1930-1950
Series 5: School RecordsBox 10. Folder 6. College term papers, Elsie and Mary Rokahr, 1909-1914
Box 10. Folder 7. Diplomas and certificates, Elsie Rokahr, 1902-1954
Box 10. Folder 8. Diplomas and certificates, Mary Rokahr, 1911-1926
Box 10. Folder 9. Lincoln High School commencement and event programs, Elsie
Rokahr, 1924-1947
Box 10. Folder 10. Lincoln High School commencement and event programs, Elsie
Rokahr, 1914-1925
Box 10. Folder 11. Norfolk High School yearbook, Elsie Rokahr, 1914
Box 10. Folder 12. University of Nebraska diplomas, Elsie and Mary
Rokahr, 1910-1914 (see also oversized OS Box 11)
Series 7: Photographs and Scrapbooks, 1910-1960Box 11. Folder 1. Associated Women of the World conference, 1935 (see also Box 4, Folder 13)
Box 11. Folder 2. ICA-HE extension supervision, 1960 (see also Box 11, Folder 12)
Box 11. Folder 3. Glacier National Park
Box 11. Folder 4. Life Magazine, Mary Rokahr
portraits, 1954
Box 11. Folder 5. McDonald Family, Philippines missionaries, 1918-1924
Box 11. Folder 6. Photographs, 1910s
Box 11. Folder 7. Photographs, 1920s
Box 11. Folder 8. Photographs, 1930s
Box 11. Folder 9. Photographs, 1940s
Box 11. Folder 10. Photographs, 1950s
Box 11. Folder 11. Photographs, 1960s
Box 11. Folder 12-14. Photographs, undated
Box 11. Folder 15. Photo postcards, undated
Box 11. Folder 16. Portraits, Elsie Rokahr
Box 11. Folder 17. Portraits, Mary Rokahr
Box 12. Folder 1. Trip Around the World, 1950
Box 12. Folder 2. Trip to Estes Park, 1918
Box 12. Folder 3. Trip to Europe, Elsie Rokahr, 1912 (see also Box 9, Folder 16)
Box 12. Folder 4. Trip to Germany, 1937 (see also Box 10, Folder 1)
Box 12. Folder 5. Trip to the South Pacific and Orient, 1968 (see also Box 10, Folder 3)
Box 12. Folder 6. Turkish Program, 1950s (see also Box 7, Folder 2)
Box 12. Folder 7. USDA Service Award, 1953 (see also Box 7, Folder 7)
Box 12. Folder 8. Wyoming, 1920s (see also Box 8, Folder 2)
Box 12. Folder 9. Scrapbook, 1910s
Box 12. Folder 10. Glacier National Park scrapbook, 1920s
Box 13. Folder 1. University of Nebraska scrapbook, 1910-1923 (oversized)
Related Material and Resources: Additional information about the University of Nebraska Turkish Program is located in
RG 44-05-01 Nebraska in Turkey Coordinator, International Programs Records,
1954-1968 (box 53) and RG 44-05-02 Nebraska in Turkey Chief Advisor, International
Programs Records, 1955-1968, which contains additional information on the home
economics extension program (boxes 11-12) and Mary Rokahr correspondence (boxes
29-30). |