Special Collections Department
403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140
RS 14/7/51
Margaret W. (Margaret Wragg) Sloss (1901-1979)
Papers, 1915-[ongoing]
Descriptive summary
| creator: | Sloss, Margaret W. (Margaret Wragg) (1901-1979) |
| title: | Papers |
| dates: | 1915-[ongoing] |
| extent: | 5.1 linear feet (5 document boxes and 1 map case folder) |
| collection number: | RS 14/7/51 |
| repository: | University Archives, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University. |
Administrative information
| access: | Open for research |
| publication rights: | Consult Head, Special Collections Department |
| preferred citation: | Margaret W. (Margaret Wragg) Sloss Papers, RS 14/7/51, University Archives, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library. |
Biographical note
Margaret Wragg Sloss was born October 28, 1901, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In 1910, she moved with her family to Ames, Iowa, where her father, Thomas Sloss, was hired as the superintendent of buildings, grounds, and construction at Iowa State College (University). Dr. Sloss attributed her experiences in growing up on the Iowa State campus to fostering her interest in science and especially veterinary medicine. Margaret Sloss received her B.S (1923), M.S. (1932) and D.V.M (1938) from Iowa State. Dr. Sloss was the first woman to graduate with a D.V.M. from Iowa State. Margaret Sloss began her career as a Technician in Veterinary Pathology at Iowa State (1923-1929), and was promoted to Assistant (1930-1941), Instructor (1941-1943), Assistant Professor (1943-1957), Associate Professor (1958-1964), Professor (1965-1972), and Professor Emeritus (1972). She was the author of numerous publications and papers, including "Women in the Veterinary Profession" and "Biography of Charles Henry Stange." Dr. Sloss also co-authored Veterinary Clinical Parasitology, with Dr. Edward A. Benbrook (1948). Sloss later rewrote the fourth edition of the book (1970). Dr. Sloss was active in several professional associations including the American Veterinary Medical Association, Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, Phi Kappa Phi, Sigma Delta Epsilon and Phi Zeta. She also helped establish the Women's Veterinary Medical Association (1947) and was elected president (1950-1952). Margaret Sloss was honored by the Women's Centennial Congress as one of the 100 women in the United States to successfully follow careers in 1940, which were unheard of 100 years before that date. During her time at Iowa State, Dr. Sloss received many awards and citations for her service, including the Iowa State Faculty Citation (1959) and the Stange Award for Meritorious Service (1974). To further recognize Dr. Sloss and her achievements, Iowa State University named the Margaret Sloss Women's Center in her honor in 1981. Dr. Sloss passed away December 11, 1979. She is interred in the Iowa State University Cemetery. |
Collection description
The collection is comprised of materials that relate to Dr. Sloss' professional and personal life. The files contain a variety of materials including correspondence, news clippings, papers and publications, and photographs. The papers are arranged into nine series: Series 1: Associations, 1927-1979, contains correspondence, meeting materials, and membership information for associations to which Dr. Sloss belonged, including the Women's Veterinary Medical Association, the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathologists. Series 2: Awards and Certificates, 1940-2006, undated, consists of certificates, programs, correspondence, and news clippings related to awards and honors given to Dr. Sloss in recognition and appreciation of her professional and personal service. Series 3: Biographical Materials, 1937-2006, undated, contains news clippings, news releases, biographies, and other information regarding Dr. Sloss's career and personal life. There is also an address book, a calendar, and information regarding the Margaret Sloss Women's Center. Series 4: Correspondence, 1926-1979, undated, consists of personal and professional letters written by and sent to Dr. Sloss. This series also contains a letter from Carrie Chapman Catt and an invitation from Eleanor Roosevelt. Series 5: Education and Research, 1915-1968, contains materials relating to Dr. Sloss' education including high school report cards, college commencement programs, and notebooks. Series 6: Family, 1915-2006, undated, consists of materials relating to her family, mostly regarding her father (Tom Sloss) and mother (Anne Sloss). The files contain newsclippings, correspondence, memorials, war ration books, and information about graves in a Colmonel, Scotland churchyard cemetery. Series 7: Papers, Publications, and Addresses, 1936-1979, undated, contains published and unpublished papers and addresses written by Dr. Sloss, including memorials for Drs. E.A. Benbrook and Charles Henry Stange, her master's thesis, and "Women in the Veterinary Profession." The series also includes a file of poems and sayings Dr. Sloss collected. Series 8: Photographs and Artifacts, 1924-2006, undated, is comprised of 140 B&W photographs, 21 color photographs, and 2 color slides of Dr. Sloss, her family and friends, Iowa State University's campus and College of Veterinary Medicine, and microscopic photographs relating to her research. The series also includes 3 woodcarvings made by Dr. Sloss, a napkin, a plaque, ribbons, buttons, and a silver bowl. Series 9: Retirement, 1972, consists mostly of letters from friends and colleagues offering their congratulations and best wishes to Dr. Sloss upon her retirement. The series also contains the guest book from her retirement party. |
Organization
The collection is arranged into nine series. Each series is organized alphabetically. |
Description of series
| Series 1 | Associations |
1927-1979 |
| extent: | 10 folders |
|
| description: | Contains correspondence, meeting materials, and membership information for associations to which Dr. Sloss belonged, including the Women's Veterinary Medical Association, Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathologists. |
|
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
1 |
1 |
American Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathologists |
1965 |
1 |
2 |
Iowa State University, 25 Year Club |
1973 |
1 |
3 |
Iowa State University, Alumni Association |
1969 |
1 |
4 |
Iowa State University, Memorial Union, Life Membership |
1930 |
1 |
5 |
Iowa Veterinary Medical Association |
1976 |
1 |
6 |
Miscellaneous membership certificates and programs |
1947-1970 |
1 |
7 |
Sororities |
1927, 1960-1961 |
1 |
8 |
Veterinary Circle |
1962 |
1 |
9 |
Women's Veterinary Medical Association |
1953-1979 |
1 |
10 |
Women's Veterinary Medical Association, correspondence |
1937-1963 |
Description of series
| Series 2 | Awards and Certificates |
1940-2006, undated |
| extent: | 4 folders |
|
| description: | Series consists of certificates, programs, correspondence, and news clippings related to awards and honors given to Dr. Sloss in recognition and appreciation for her professional and personal service. |
|
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
1 |
11 |
Alumni Association certificates |
1964-1978 |
4 |
14 |
Iowa Women's Hall of Fame, induction ceremony program and news clippings (see also Series 8: Photographs and Artifacts for silver bowl) |
2006 |
1 |
12 |
Service and appreciation certificates |
1970-1976, undated |
1 |
13 |
Women's Centennial Congress (see also 2/3) |
1940 |
Description of series
| Series 3 | Biographical Materials |
1937-2006, undated |
| extent: | 8 folders |
|
| description: | Contains news clippings, news releases, biographies, and other information regarding Dr. Sloss's career and personal life. There is also an address book, a calendar, and information regarding the Margaret Sloss Women's Center. |
|
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
1 |
14 |
Address book and calendar |
1949, undated |
1 |
15 |
Biographies |
1938-1985 |
1 |
16 |
Faculty personnel information |
1954-1979 |
1 |
17 |
List of awards, publications, and associations |
undated |
1 |
18 |
"Material by and about Dr. Margaret Sloss" |
1948-1985 |
1 |
19 |
News releases |
1937-1981, undated |
1 |
20 |
Newsclippings |
1937-2006 |
1 |
21 |
Sloss Women's Center |
undated |
| Map | Case | State of Iowa Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners: license to practice | 1939 |
Description of series
| Series 4 | Correspondence |
1926-1979, undated |
| extent: | 4 folders and 1 map case folder |
|
| description: | Series consists of personal and professional letters written by and sent to Dr. Sloss. This series also contains a letter from Carrie Chapman Catt and an invitation from Eleanor Roosevelt. |
|
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
2 |
1 |
Personal correspondence |
1929-1975 |
Map |
Case |
Personal correspondence: get well poster from V. Mitchell |
1944 |
2 |
2 |
Professional correspondence |
1926-1979, undated |
2 |
3 |
Professional correspondence: Catt, Carrie Chapman (see also 1/13) |
1941 |
2 |
4 |
Professional correspondence: Roosevelt, Eleanor |
1944 |
Description of series
| Series 5 | Education and Research |
1915-1968 |
| extent: | 6 folders |
|
| description: | Series five contains materials relating to Dr. Sloss' education including high school report cards, commencement programs, and notebooks. |
|
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
2 |
5 |
Ames High School: report cards |
1915-1916 |
2 |
6 |
Iowa State University: Class of 1923 reunion |
1968 |
2 |
7 |
Iowa State University: commencement programs |
1923, 1932, 1938 |
2 |
8 |
Iowa State University: notebook |
1930-1950 |
2 |
9 |
Iowa State University: notebook: zoology |
1920-1921 |
2 |
10 |
Iowa State University: student registration cards |
1933-1938 |
| Map | Case | Iowa State University: diplomas |
Description of series
| Series 6 | Family |
1915-2006, undated |
| extent: | 8 folders |
|
| description: | Series consists of materials relating to her family, mostly regarding her father (Tom Sloss) and mother (Anne Sloss). |
|
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
2 |
11 |
Colmonel, Scotland churchyard cemetery markers |
undated |
2 |
12 |
Howard, James [Margaret Sloss's nephew] |
1972 |
2 |
13 |
Memorials of family friends |
1932-1965 |
2 |
14 |
Newsclippings |
1937-1978 |
2 |
15 |
Sloss, Anne D. [Margaret Sloss's mother] |
1937-1950 |
2 |
16 |
Sloss, Thomas [Margaret Sloss's father] |
1915-1937 |
4 |
13 |
Sloss family genealogical records |
2006 circa |
2 |
17 |
World War II ration books |
1940s |
Description of series
| Series 7 | Papers, Publications, and Addresses |
1936-1979, undated |
| extent: | 12 folders |
|
| description: | Contains published and unpublished papers and addresses written by Dr. Sloss, including memorials for Drs. E. A. Benbrook and Charles Henry Stange, her master's thesis, and "Women in the Veterinary Profession." |
|
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
3 |
1 |
Addresses |
1957-1976, undated |
3 |
2 |
Benbrook, E. A. memorial |
1967 |
3 |
3 |
Iowa State's early history |
n.d |
3 |
4 |
Master's Thesis: "Microscopic Anotomy of the Digestive Tract of Sus Scorfa Domestica" |
1954 |
3 |
5 |
Master's Thesis: "Microscopic Anotomy of the Digestive Tract of Sus Scorfa Domestica": notes and correspondence |
1954 |
3 |
6 |
Papers |
1939-1967 |
3 |
7 |
Poems and saying collected by Sloss |
undated |
3 |
8 |
Stange, Charles H. memorial |
1936 |
3 |
9 |
Veterinarian Clinical Parasitology: advertisements and correspondence |
1977-1979 |
3 |
10 |
"Women in the Veterinary Profession" |
undated |
3 |
11 |
"Women in Veterinary Medicine" |
1939 |
3 |
12 |
"Women in Veterinary Medicine": address |
1951 |
Description of series
| Series 8 | Photographs and Artifacts |
1924-2006, undated |
| extent: | 12 folders |
|
| description: | Series contains 140 B&W photographs, 21 color photographs, and 2 color slides of Dr. Sloss, her family and friends, Iowa State University's campus, the Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine and microscopic photographs relating to her research. The series also includes 3 woodcarvings made by Dr. Sloss, a napkin, a plaque, ribbons, buttons, and a silver bowl; these artifacts are housed in the University Artifact Collection. |
|
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
4 |
12 |
Celebration commemorating 50 years at Iowa State [46 3x4 color photographs] |
1973 |
4 |
1 |
Christmas cards [4 5x7 B&W photograph cards] |
1950-1956 |
4 |
2-3 |
Family [4 8X10, 15 5x7, and 53 3x5 B&W photographs; 2 3x5 color photographs; 2 color slides] |
1940-1973, undated |
4 |
4 |
Iowa State campus [5 3x5 B&W photographs] |
undated |
4 |
5 |
Iowa State, College of Veterinary Medicine: people and facilities [2 5x7 and 2 3x5 B&W photographs] |
undated |
Artifact Collection |
Iowa Women's Hall of Fame, silver bowl (Artifact 2006-243.001) |
2006 |
|
4 |
6 |
Microscopic photographs [3 5x7 B&W photographs] |
1925, undated |
Artifact Collection |
Napkin with a drawing of a 1914 Stutz Bearcat |
undated |
|
Artifact Collection |
Notable Americans of the Bicentennial Era plaque |
1976 |
|
Artifact Collection |
Ribbons and Buttons (3) |
1964, 1979, undated |
|
4 |
11 |
Retirement party for Sloss [15 3x5 color photographs] |
1972 |
4 |
7 |
Sloss House [2 5x7 and 9 3x5 B&W photographs; 2 3x5 color photographs] |
undated |
4 |
8 |
Sloss in plays [3 5x7 B&W photographs] |
undated |
4 |
9 |
Sloss individual photographs [3 8x10, 12 5x7, and 18 3x5 B&W photographs] |
1924-1973, undated |
4 |
10 |
Sloss with friends and colleagues [1 8x10, 2 5x7, and 6 3x5 B&W photographs; 4 3x5 color photographs] |
1939, undated |
Artifact Collection |
Wood carvings [3] |
1960, undated |
|
| Artifact Collection | Medal: R. Tait McKenzie Centennial Medal. Bronze, with intricate engravings on both front and back of medal. (Artifact 2013-229.004) | 1967 | |
| Artifact Collection | Medal: R. Tait McKenzie Centennial Medal. Bronze, with intricate engravings on both front and back of medal. (Artifact 2013-229.005) | 1967 | |
| Artifact Collection | Awards: Pins and small engraved plaque. The small plaque is bronze, three of the pins (tennis, hockey basketball) are gold and another pin is silver ("PENN" engraved onto a small diamond). These were presented to Margaret Sloss for Athletic Accomplishments by the Women's Athletic Association. (Artifact 2013-229.006) | 1935 | |
Description of series
| Series 9 | Retirement |
1972 |
| extent: | 4 folders |
|
| description: | Consists mostly of letters from friends and colleagues offering their congratulations and best wishes to Dr. Sloss upon her retirement. Series also contains the guest book from her retirement party. |
|
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
5 |
1 |
Letters: A-F |
1972 |
5 |
2 |
Letters: G-N |
1972 |
5 |
3 |
Letters: O-Z |
1972 |
5 |
4 |
Party guest book |
1972 |