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Patricia W. & J. Douglas Perry Library
Norfolk, Virginia 23529-0256
telephone (757) 683-4483
fax (757) 683-5954

The Papers of Dr. Carolyn Rhodes

Biography

Dr. Carolyn H. Rhodes was born Carolyn Hodgson on May 16, 1925 in Birmingham, Alabama. Her parents were Lester Rhodes Hodgson and Dolly Griffin Hodgson. Dr. Rhodes has Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and English from the University of Alabama, a Master of Arts degree in Psychology from Columbia University and a Master of Arts degree in English from the University of Kentucky. She earned her Ph.D. in English in 1965 from the University of Kentucky. While in college, Dr. Rhodes administered psychometric tests for the Veterans Administration in Lexington, Kentucky and worked as an Editorial Assistant for Railway Age Magazine. She was a Haggin teaching fellow for nine semesters, from 1957-1963, and an instructor of English Language Orientation for Indonesian students from 1964-1965.

Dr. Rhodes moved to Virginia and began as an Assistant Professor at Old Dominion University (then Old Dominion College) in 1965. She became an Associate Professor in 1969 and a Professor of English in 1978. During her tenure at Old Dominion University, Dr. Rhodes worked as the Principle Investigator for the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Pilot Grant in Women's Studies. The grant, which ran from May 1977 to August 1978, helped establish the Women's Studies program at ODU, the first of its kind in Virginia. Dr. Rhodes was also a co-founder of the Friends of Women's Studies organization, established in 1985 to provide monetary support to keep Women's Studies alive. From September 1982 to July 1983, Dr. Rhodes was a Fulbright Lecturer in American Literature at Babes-Bolyai University in Romania. She received a second Fulbright to lecturer in American Literature at Peking University in Bejing, from September 1986 to August 1987.

Dr. Rhodes has two children, Richard (b. 1949) and Babette (b. 1951). She and her husband, Ernest Rhodes, reside in Virginia.

Chronology

Date of Birth: May 16, 1925
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of Alabama: 1945
Bachelor of Arts in English, University of Alabama: 1945
Master of Arts in Psychology, Columbia University: 1947
Master of Arts in English, University of Kentucky: 1959
Doctorate in English, University of Kentucky: 1965
Assistant Professor, Old Dominion University: 1965
Associate Professor, Old Dominion University: 1969
Principle Investigator, NEH Pilot Grant, Women's Studies: 1977-1978
Professor of English, Old Dominion University: 1978
Fulbright Lecturer, Romania: 1982-1983
Co-founder, Friends of Women's Studies: 1985
Fulbright Lecturer, Bejing: 1986-1987

Scope and Contents

The Papers of Dr. Carolyn H. Rhodes date from 1965 to 2003 and contain documents from Dr. Rhodes' academic and professional career. Most of the materials in the collection relate to Dr. Rhodes career at Old Dominion University in the English and Women's Studies departments, as well as her continuing activism on behalf of women and their status at ODU.

Series I: Dr. Carolyn Rhodes. This series contains materials specific to Dr. Carolyn Rhodes including a biographical sketch and her academic resume. Material dates from 1965 to 1990, and is arranged alphabetically by topic.

Series II: Women's Caucus. This series contains speeches made by Dr. Carolyn Rhodes at Women's Caucus events and her personal notes on the Caucus. Material dates from the early 1990s and is arranged chronologically.

Series III: Women's Studies. This series is broken into six sub-series: A. Course Materials; B. Faculty; C. Grants and Scholarships; D. Events; E. Promotional Materials; and F. Studies and Reports.

Sub-series A: Course Materials. This sub-series contains materials from Women's Studies courses including course descriptions, syllabi, coursepaks, and reading lists. Material is arranged alphabetically by course name.

Sub-series B: Faculty. This sub-series contains information on Women's Studies faculty. Currently there is only one faculty member represented, Dr. Ellen Lewin, Director of Women's Studies in 1988.

Sub-series C: Grants and Scholarships. This sub-series contains information on grants and scholarships related to Women's Studies. Included are materials on the Women's Studies scholarships in honor of Carolyn Rhodes and Nancy Bazin, and the National Endowment for the Humanities grant that helped establish the first Women's Studies courses at ODU. Materials are arranged chronologically, and date from 1976 to 2003.

Sub-series D: Events. This sub-series contains materials related to Women's Studies events. Included are lectures and lecture series; conferences; and other informational events related to women and Women's Studies. Materials are arranged chronologically and date from 1979 to 1997.

Sub-series E: Promotional Materials. This sub-series contains brochures, flyers, and announcements. These are mainly related to courses and course offerings. Materials are arranged alphabetically and date from 1980-1997.

Sub-series F: Studies and Reports. This sub-series contains studies and reports relating to Women's Studies and to Women's Status at ODU. Material is arranged chronologically, and is dated from 1974 to 1978.

Series IV: Other Courses. Series IV relates to courses other than Women's Studies. It is composed of four sub-series: A. Asian Studies; B. English; C. Utopian Studies; and D. Various.

Sub-series A: Asian Studies. This sub-series contains materials related to the Asian Studies Department. Included are materials related to position openings in this department in 1987-88, and a program where eleven faculty members, including Dr. Carolyn Rhodes, went to East Asia for a study tour. Material dates from 1987 to 1989, and is arranged chronologically.

Sub-series B: English. This sub-series contains materials related to English courses that Dr. Carolyn Rhodes taught. Material is arranged chronologically, and dates from 1972 to 1984.

Sub-series C: Utopian Studies. This sub-series contains materials related to Utopian Studies courses at ODU. Included is information on credit and non-credit courses, as well as a conference held in the Fall of 1985. Materials are arranged chronologically, and date from

Sub-series D: Various. This sub-series contains materials related to a Humanities course, "On Death and Dying," taught by Dr. Carolyn Rhodes in 1977 and 1978.

Series V: Speeches and Presentations. This series contains speeches and presentations given by Dr. Carolyn Rhodes at various workshops and events. Speeches relate to mainly to women's topics. Materials date from 1978 to 1995, and are arranged chronologically.

Series VI: Publications. This series is broken into seven sub-series: A. Published Material by Carolyn Rhodes; B. Annotated Books; C. Journals; D. Newsletters; E. Newspaper Articles; F. Unpublished Papers; and G. Other Publications.

Sub-series A: Published Material by Dr. Carolyn Rhodes. This sub-series contains book chapters written by Dr. Carolyn Rhodes, as well as information on books she edited. Materials are arranged chronologically, and date from 1971 to 1984, though most of the materials are from the 1980s.

Sub-series B: Annotated Books. This sub-series contains books annotated with notes written by Dr. Carolyn Rhodes. Books are arranged alphabetically by title.

Sub-series C: Journals. This sub-series contains journals related to Women's Studies and Related to Utopian Studies. Material is arranged alphabetically by title.

Sub-series D: Newsletters. This sub-series contains Women's Studies newsletters from the 1970s and 1980s. Material is arranged alphabetically by title.

Sub-series E: Newspaper Articles. This sub-series contains newspaper articles related to Carolyn Rhodes; the Title IX sex bias hearings; the Affirmative Action office; the Women's Center; the Women's Studies program; and science fiction courses and lectures at ODU. Material is arranged chronologically and dates fro 1966 to 1995.

Sub-series F: Unpublished Papers. This sub-series contains notes, abstracts, and other papers written by Dr. Carolyn Rhodes that aren't published in books or journals. These include the abstract for her dissertation and feminist arguments and critiques. Materials are arranged chronologically, and date from 1965 to 1990.

Sub-series G: Other Publications. This sub-series contains other publications and articles related to Women's Studies and women at ODU. Included are a theatrical play, yearbook excerpt, and a historical booklet on women at ODU. Material is arranged alphabetically by title.

Series VII: Correspondence. This series contains correspondence written by or to Dr. Carolyn Rhodes. Much of the material is related to furthering women's status at ODU. One notable letter is from the noted American psychologist B.F. Skinner regarding Carolyn Rhodes dissertation. Material is arranged chronologically, and dates from 1966 to 1988.

Series VIII: Title IX. This series contains material related to the Title IX sex discrimination hearings at ODU during the 1970s, including statistics on salary and tenure differences between women and men at ODU. Material is arranged chronologically, and dates from 1975 to 1980.

Series IX: Multimedia. This series is broken into two sub-series: A. Photos and B. VHS Tapes.

Sub-series A: Photos. This series contains photos of Dr. Carolyn Rhodes. Material is from the 1980s and 1990s, and is arranged chronologically.

Sub-series B: VHS Tapes. This series contains VHS tapes of lectures on women's concerns. Material is from the 1980s and is arranged chronologically.

Series X: Awards. This series contains awards bestowed upon Dr. Carolyn Rhodes for her service to ODU and the community. Materials are arranged chronologically, and date from 1989 to 1991.

Series XI: Miscellaneous Women's Events. This series contains materials related to women's events and lectures that were sponsored by organizations other than ODU Women's Studies, though Women's Studies was likely to have supported and attended these events. Material is from the 1980s, and is arranged chronologically.

Provenance

All materials were donated by Dr. Carolyn H. Rhodes.

Access

Open to researchers without restrictions. Questions on literary property rights should be directed to the Special Collections Librarian.

7 Hollinger document cases, 2.9 linear feet.

RG 17-28B1

Container Listing

Box 1

Series I: Dr. Carolyn Rhodes

1. Academic Resume (1990)
2. Biographical Sketch (1965)
3. List of Publications by Carolyn Rhodes (1989)
4. Support Letters for awarding Carolyn Rhodes Emeritus status on her retirement, May 1990

Series II: Women's Caucus

5. Remarks before ODU Women's Caucus - First Lifetime Achievement Award (Velma Powell) 1990
6. Speech in 1993 as part of the 20th Women's Caucus Celebration
7. Personal notes toward Women's Caucus history [n.d.]

Series III: Women's Studies

Sub-series A: Course materials

8. Changing Perspectives for Women, Spring 1986
9. Changing Perspectives for Women, Spring 1988
10. Feminist Utopias (WMSTS 395), 1986
11. Life Narratives, Spring 2000
12. When Women Tell (WS 395), Fall 1985
13. Women and Their Literature in 20th Century China (WS 495), Fall 1989

Sub-series B: Faculty

14. Dr. Ellen Lewin, New Director of Women's Studies 1988

Sub-series C: Grants and Scholarships

15. NEH Pilot Grant in Women's Studies, July 1976
16. Feminist Educational Trust Fund (1978-80)
17. Memorandum of Understanding Endowed Scholarship, 1998
18. Endowments 2003

Sub-series D: Events

19. Guest Lecture: The American Woman's Quest for Identity, February 6, 1979
20. Women Artists from the Renaissance to Today, February 13, 1979
21. Guest Lecture: Women's Lives Views from Within, March 1, 1985
22. Virginia Beach Public Library Lecture Series: The Contemporary Southern Woman, 1985
23. Work in Progress VII: A Conference on Feminist Scholarship in Hampton Roads and 20th Anniversary Celebration of ODU Women's Studies Program, June 6-7, 1997
24. "Reflections on Our Lives" [n.d.]
25. "What's in the Cards for Women's Studies?" [n.d.]

Sub-series E: Promotional Materials

26. Course Brochure (Women's Studies), Spring 1984
27. Course Listings flyer (Women's Center), Spring 1980
28. Course Offerings flyer (Women's Studies) 1997
29. Flyers and Announcements 1987-88
30. "Why Women's Studies?" Brochure

Sub-series F: Studies and Reports

31. Questionnaire on Women's Status at ODU and Results, April 1974
32. Questionnaire on Women's Status at ODU and Results, May 1975
33. Final Grant Report, Undergraduate Women's Studies Program 1977-78
34. Final Grant Report, Undergraduate Women's Studies Program 1977-78 (copy)

Box 2

Series IV: Other Courses

Sub-series A: Asian Studies

1. Institute of Asian Studies 1987-88
2. Faculty Development Seminar in East Asian Studies, ODU/TCC, 1989

Sub-series B: English

3. The Literature of Technology, Comparative Literature 498, Spring 1972
4. English 396-O, Spring 1978 and English 560, Spring 1977
5. Science Fiction - Science Fact, English 320M, Spring 1980
6. American Autobiography, English 691, Fall 1984

Sub-series C: Utopian Studies

7. Free University Course in Science Fiction, Summer 1976
8. Quests for Utopia, Fall 1981
9. Conference of Utopian Studies, September 27-29, 1985
10. Utopian Thought in Fiction [n.d.]

Sub-series D: Various

11. On Death and Dying, Humanities 395, Fall 1977 and Fall 1978

Series V: Speeches and Presentations

12. "Godwin's Variation on Themes of Motherhood" for Modern Language Association Conference, 1978
13. "Women Writers and the American Dream" given at various Chinese Universities, 1986-87
14. "Women Writers and Views of American Life" given in China, 1986-87
15. "Poems by the Sea" for the Algonquin Garden Club, January 4, 1995
16. "20th Anniversary Memories" for Women's Studies Banquet, 1997

Series VI: Publications

Sub-series A: Published Material by Carolyn Rhodes

17. "Intelligence Testing in Utopia" in Extrapolation: A Journal of Science Fiction and Fantasy, 1971
18. First Person Female American, 1980
19. "New Women at Old Dominion" in Stepping Off the Pedastal, 1982
20. "Method in Her Madness…" in Women and Utopia, 1983
21. "Your Faces, O My Sisters! Your Faces Filled of Light" in Aurora: Beyond Equality, 1983
22. "Gail Godwin and the Ideal of Southern Womanhood" in Women Writers of the Contemporary South, 1984

Box 3

Sub-series B: Annotated Books

1. Encounters with Chinese Writers, 1984
2. First Person Singular, 1973
3. Gail Godwin's Stories (translated into Chinese), 1992
4. Herland: A Lost Feminist Utopian Novel, 1979
5. Idylls of the King, 1926
6. The Kin of Ata are Waiting for You, 1971

Box 4

1. Lilies and Other Stories, 1985
2. Love Must Not Be Forgotten, 1987
3. Peaceable Kingdoms: An Anthology of Utopian Writings, 1971
4. The United States and China, 1976
5. We, 1924

Box 5

Sub-series C: Journals

1. Synthesis, Published by the University of Pittsburgh, Women's Center, 1981-82
2. Utopian Studies, 1990

Sub-series D: Newsletters

3. Iris: Women's Studies Newsletter, University of Virginia, 1970s-80s
4. Women's Studies Newsletter, A Publication of the Feminist Press and the National Women's Studies Association, 1977

Sub-series E: Newspaper Articles

5. "Poetry program planned" (Dr. Carolyn Meyers), Mace and Crown, November 4, 1966
6. "ODU Course on Women", Virginian Pilot-Ledger Star, February 17, 1972
7. "SF and computers to be topic of next lecture", Unews, April 13, 1973
8 . "ODU professor's life work to be published" (Ernest Rhodes), Virginian Pilot-Ledger Star, March 7, 1973
9 . "Rhodes publishes triumph" (Ernest Rhodes), Unews, March 9, 1973
10 . "Old-time Etiquette: Avoid Show of Knowledge", Virginian Pilot-Ledger Star, March, 13, 1975
11. "Science Fiction goes to College", Virginian Pilot-Ledger Star, August 14, 1975
12. "Salary and tenure compared by sex", Unews, February 20, 1976
13. "Survey of sex discrimination in academe begun", Unews, June 18, 1976
14. "Hearings on sex bias set", Unews, July 2, 1976
15. "Is the Question Whether or How Much?" (Title X), Virginian Pilot-Ledger Star, July 15, 1976
16. "Sex Bias Hearings Continue", Virginian Pilot-Ledger Star, July 16, 1976
17. "President speaks to faculty, outlines priorities", Unews, August 26, 1976
18. "Title IX hearings move into final week", Mace and Crown, September 27, 1976
19. "ODU workshop focuses on women in education", The Compass, October 8, 1976
20. "Women's Center, faculty club sponsor conference on women", Unews, October 8, 1976
21. "Center opens to answer social needs", Unews, October 15, 1976
22. "Discrimination at ODU", Mace and Crown, October 25, 1976
23. "Women's numbers increase", Unews, January 13, 1977
24. "Salary averages listed", Unews, March 18, 1977
25. "Curry named director of Affirmative Action", Unews, June 3, 1977
26. "Dr. Reuben, consultant for NEH, and Dr. Rhodes discuss the newly created Woman's Studies Program", Unews, August 1, 1977
27. "Science Fiction Caters to All", Mace and Crown, September 12, 1977
28. "Arts Reunion attracts 2,000 for programs", Unews, October 6, 1977
29. "Curry aims to make equality a reality", Unews, October 21, 1977
30. "Women's Dream Realized" (NEH Pilot Grant for Women's Studies), Unews, December 2, 1977
31. "Faculty Promotions Given (Carolyn Rhodes), Unews, April 28, 1978
32. "Women's Center strives to help women advance", Unews, October 27, 1978
33. "Autobiography Subject of Tome" (First Person Female American), Unews, September 26, 1980
34. "Capturing a Heroine" (a Review of The Scapegoat), Virginian Pilot-Ledger Star, November 16, 1980
35. "Southern Feminist" (Carolyn Rhodes), Virginian Pilot-Ledger Star, March 10, 1985
36. "Professors relate teaching abroad", Mace and Crown, October 22, 1987
37. "Exhibit traces the career of local art giant Zetlin", Virginian Pilot-Ledger Star, December 24, 1995
38. "Need for ODU Day Care Cited", Virginian Pilot-Ledger Star [n.d.]

Sub-series F: Unpublished Papers

39. Dissertation Abstract and Bibliography, 1965
40. Feminist Criticism of Science Fiction, 1971-1976
41. The Case for Women's Studies in Higher Education, 1990
42. Feminism and Feminist Criticism, a very partial reading list, for beginners [n.d.]

Sub-series G: Other Publications

43. In Celebration: Women at Old Dominion University , 1973-1983
44. People are Women Too (Theatrical Play) [n.d.]
45. "Women's Studies Celebrates 10th Anniversary", The Laureate 1987-88

Box 6

Series VII: Correspondence

1. Letter from B.F. Skinner regarding dissertation, March 10, 1966
2. Letter from Carolyn Rhodes to Title IX Committee on Compliance, June 14, 1975
3. Memo from Carolyn Rhodes regarding Appointment of Director of Women's Studies, May 16, 1978
4. Letter from H.K. Meier, Dean of the School of Arts and Letters regarding Women's Studies Final Report, December 6, 1978
5. Memo from Allen K. Clark, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs regarding Faculty Salary Averages, December 10, 1978
6. Letter from Carolyn Rhodes to Virginian Pilot-Ledger Star regarding Affirmative Action policies, May 3, 1979
7. Correspondence between Carolyn Rhodes and Maggi Curry, Assistant to the President and Director of AA/EEO regarding article on Women's activism at ODU, March 1980
8. Memo from Carolyn Rhodes regarding Women's Studies Program, October 14, 1985
9. Letter from Gail regarding Mothers and Daughters, December 1, 1988
10. Letter from Carolyn Rhodes to Virginian Pilot-Ledger Star regarding thanks for covering women's hearings at ODU [n.d.]

Series VIII: Title IX

11. Title XI: ODU Salary and Tenure 1975
12. Title XI: ODU Salary and Tenure 1976
13. Title XI: ODU Salary and Tenure 1979
14. Title XI: ODU Salary and Tenure 1980

Series IX: Multimedia

Sub-series A: Photos

15. Carolyn Rhodes receiving Caucus award, Fall 1983
16. Nancy Bazin and Carolyn Rhodes (1990s)

Sub-series B: VHS Tapes

17. Dr. Carolyn Rhode's Talk on Gail Godwin's "A Mother and Two Daughters", March 1985
18. Fay Zetlin [n.d.]

Box 7

Series X: Awards

1. ODU Service Recognition Award 1989
2. Women's Caucus Recognition Award 1989
3. YWCA Winner's Award 1989
4. ODU Service Recognition Award 1990
5. Most Inspiring Faculty Award 1991

Series XI: Miscellaneous Women's Events

6. Every Woman's Festival, February 15, 1980
7. Conference on Women in the Year 2000, April 7-9, 1988
8. Federalist Feminists [n.d.]

Revised 2/18/09