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Marna Venable Brady Papers

 Collection
Identifier: Ms Coll. 122

Scope and Content

This small collection consists of two scrapbooks, some correspondence, photocopies of newspaper clippings, biographical information, and certificates. The smaller of the two scrapbooks contains many photographs of young woman in the Women's Reserve. Many are pictured in uniform. Congratulatory notes in white pen are written to Brady next to each photograph. In some of the notes Brady is referred to as a sergeant and in others as a captain. The second scrapbook contains many newspaper clippings and some black and white photographs of Brady alone or with groups. The scrapbook is arranged chronologically from about 1908-1950. Much of the material deals with the schools she attended and her activities. The collection also includes information about a 2004 Ph.D. dissertation by Rita Irene Herron titled: "True Spirit of Pioneer Traditions:" An Historical Analysis Of The University of Florida's First Dean of Women, Marna Brady.

Dates

  • Creation: 1908-1984

Creator

Access

University Archives collections are available for research. Portions of the collections may be restricted due to the requirements of applicable state and federal laws, including but not limited to FERPA and HIPAA, and in accordance with best practices as defined by the Society of American Archivists.

Biographical/Historical Note

Marna Venable Brady was the first Dean of Women at the University of Florida. She became dean on September 1, 1948. Brady was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1904. She received a B.S. degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1925, an MA degree from Columbia University in 1928, and an Ed.D. from Columbia University in 1948. She taught at the University of Cincinnati (1925-1927), Bryn Mawr College (1928-1938), and Wheaton College in Massachusetts (1938-1943).

During World War II, from March 1943 to June 1946, Brady served in the U.S. Marine Corps Women's Reserve. She advanced from the rank of Private to that of Major and she served in the U.S. and in Hawaii. When Brady became Dean of Women there were few resources for women on the UF campus as the university had only recently become co-educational in 1947. Her service in the Marines provided the knowledge and experience she needed in her new role as dean of women.

After retiring as dean in 1966 Brady was an associate professor until 1970 and was accorded emeritus status in 1971. She passed away on May 28, 1984 at eighty years of age.

Extent

1 linear foot (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Scrapbooks, photographs, and miscellaneous papers of Marna Venable Brady, the first Dean of Women at the University of Florida.

Physical Location

University of Florida Smathers Library Building

Related Material

The University Archives also holds the Records of the Dean of Women.

Title
A Guide to the Marna Venable Brady Papers
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid created by Joyce Dewsbury
Date
December 2007 (Updated June 2019)
Description rules
Finding Aid Prepared Using Dacs
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Description is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida Repository

Contact:
George A. Smathers Libraries
PO Box 117005
Gainesville Florida 32611-7005 United States of America
352-273-2755