Use Restrictions

The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Preferred Citation

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Iris Alina Ruiz Williams Papers, 1939-1942, SC 0223, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.

Acquisition Information

The collection was donated in November 2012 by Alice Williams Krum, Iris Alina Ruiz Williams' daughter. Krum made a second donation in July 2017.

Processing Information

In order to streamline the process of applying collection numbers, Special Collections staff completed a large-scale renumbering campaign in 2017-2018. This collection was previously cataloged as SC 5051.

Bio/Historical Note

Iris Alina Ruiz Williams (1921-2010), nicknamed "Titi," was born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. At age 17, she arrived in the United States for the very first time to attend Madison College where she studied Elementary Education. During her time at Madison College, from 1939-1942, Iris was an active member in various organizations. She served as treasurer for the Spanish Club, and typist for The Breeze and The Schoolma'am yearbook. She was a member of the Y.W.C.A, Newman Club, Lee Literary Society, and was a lifetime member of Theta Sigma Epsilon.

Upon graduating from Madison College in 1942, Iris married Harry Edward Williams Jr. whom she met at Madison College. They had four children. Iris later became a successful elementary school teacher and adult education teacher. She was also actively involved in her church and several organizations in her community throughout her life.

Scope and Content

The Iris Alina Ruiz Williams Papers, 1939-1965, comprise photographs, drawings, a scrapbook, and a fencing foil from Williams' time as a student at Madison College and as an alumna.

The photographs are foldered according the following categories: classmate portraits, Madison College campus/events, and non-campus subject matter. Photographs that do not clearly document the Madison College campus or college-sponsored events are filed with non-campus photographs. Madison College related photographs include Wilson Hall, commencement ceremonies, May Day celebrations, hiking, snow scenes, dorm rooms, and candid photographs featuring Williams and her classmates. Photographs documenting non-campus scenes/events depict the New York World's Fair (1939), the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery, and beach scenes.

A series of eight drawings, sketched by Williams for a college art class, depict various campus scenes.

A biographical sketch of Williams, written after her death in 2010, is included along with a photocopy of a ship's manifest documenting Williams' departure from San Juan, Puerto Rico in June 1939 for New York, with Madison College being her ultimate destination. She is listed under her maiden name, Iris Ruiz, on the document.

Williams' scrapbook documents alumnae news and activities and includes newspaper clippings, programs, and ephemera.

Williams' fencing foil used in her college fencing class is included.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged chronologically.

Separated Material

Two student handbooks and a souvenir book of Harrisonburg were removed from the collection and cataloged.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Harrisonburg (Va.) -- Description and travel
• Harrisonburg (Va.) -- History
• James Madison University -- Students -- History
• Krum, Alice Williams
• Madison College -- Alumni and alumnae
• Madison College -- History
• Madison College -- Students
• Madison College -- Students -- Social life and customs
• Pencil drawings
• Photographs
• Scrapbooks