The family of Louise and Bob Slaughter is donating the Honorable Louise Slaughter鈥檚 official Congressional papers to the 人妻少妇专区. The will house, archive, and make available the Louise M. Slaughter Congressional Collection in the coming years.
Slaughter served with distinction as the US representative from the Rochester region from 1987 until her death in 2018. During her 16 terms, she was the only microbiologist in Congress and the first chairwoman of the Rules Committee. Known as a progressive Democrat, Slaughter was highly regarded as a champion for women鈥檚 rights, higher education, the arts and humanities, federally funded research, economic development, and health care accessibility. At the time of her death, she was dean of New York鈥檚 congressional delegation.
鈥淩ochester was the heart of Louise鈥檚 district and she tirelessly represented the people here,鈥� said University President Richard Feldman. 鈥淗er legacy in Congress, throughout the state, in Rochester, and across this University was profound and will never be forgotten鈥攊t is a distinctive honor for the University to curate and steward her collection. I want to thank the Slaughter family for entrusting us with this wonderful opportunity.鈥�
鈥淪erving as a member of the United States House of Representatives was the highest privilege and honor of our mother鈥檚 life, and we are delighted that the 人妻少妇专区 will be the steward for the official records, documents and memorabilia associated with her entire Congressional career,鈥� said Robin Slaughter Minerva, on behalf of the family. 鈥淭he results of her leadership will long remain evident in Rochester, and viewing the breadth of this collection will give students, faculty and the public a sense of the enormous scope of our mother鈥檚 accomplishments,鈥� she adds. 鈥淭his is not just about housing papers and historical records, but it鈥檚 about preparing and inspiring those who will be our leaders in the years to come by offering an insider鈥檚 view of history鈥攐f Rochester, of New York and of the United States.鈥�
The collection will document Slaughter鈥檚 leadership and steadfast work for the public good, including her sponsorship of landmark legislation and dedication to her constituents. The papers include legislative research, introduced and passed bills, speeches, manuscripts, awards and visual media documenting years of committed service. The collection will also serve as an important tool for scholars, students and the community. It will help them gain a greater understanding of her leadership and cultural movements that took place during Slaughter鈥檚 30-year Congressional tenure.
鈥淭here鈥檚 incredible scholarship potential here,鈥� says Mary Ann Mavrinac, University vice provost and Andrew H. and Janet Dayton Neilly Dean of 人妻少妇专区 Libraries. 鈥淪tudents, faculty, community members, authors, artists, visiting scholars and others across far-ranging areas such as education, political science, public health, and women in government and leadership can draw from her papers to inform their work.鈥�
鈥淐ongresswoman Slaughter鈥檚 papers will offer nearly endless opportunities for research, teaching, collaboration, community engagement, and service learning,鈥� adds Jessica Lacher-Feldman, assistant dean and Joseph N. Lambert and Harold B. Schleifer Director of Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, who notes that next steps include hiring a project archivist to process the collection and prepare it for public access and use.
The University anticipates creating the following from the collection:
- A comprehensive and fully searchable online guide to the collection to promote access and research;
- A retrospective exhibition and related programming that will highlight Slaughter鈥檚 contributions and legacy to our community and nation;
- A digital exhibition and online resource that will include audio, video, photographs, documents, and memorabilia.
Throughout her Congressional tenure, Slaughter was an enthusiastic supporter of the University. In acknowledgment of her efforts and leadership, the University presented her its prestigious Presidential Proclamation in 2014, and Eastman Medal in 2009. That same year, Slaughter delivered the undergraduate Commencement address. In March 2019, Slaughter was named to the National Women鈥檚 Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls and will be formally inducted on Saturday, Sept. 14.
