Joy Corning papers
Scope and Contents
The Joy Corning papers date from 1952 to 2016 and primarily focus on Corning’s time as lieutenant governor of Iowa. The collection has been arranged into 10 series. The first series, Daily Schedules, consists of Corning’s daily schedules detailing her meetings / briefings, travels, press conferences, personal time, and more. The bulk of these schedules are from her time as lieutenant governor, though there are also a smaller number from when she was in the Iowa State Senate.
Series two, Correspondence, is primarily comprised of thank you letters and congratulatory notes from constituents, children, friends and family, and fellow public officials. The third series, Speeches, contains the text of speeches, mostly given during her time as lieutenant governor. The Ephemera series contains invitations, pamphlets, brochures, fliers, and posters. The materials reflect organizations and causes in which Corning was involved and events she attended.
The Administrative Records series contains campaign materials, conference files, memos, and more. Please see the inventory for more information. The “Administrative - Miscellaneous” folders were kept together as they were upon arrival, with “M1,” “M2,” “M3”, etc., added to distinguish the different groupings. Content is seemingly related to her campaign for governor (fundraising, call lists); legislative and voting record; and nomination forms.
The Clippings and Articles series contains pieces about Corning’s work, including bills, campaigns, non-legislative work, and official lieutenant governor duties. Please note that this series includes both physical and digital files. Newspaper clippings were digitized due to preservation concerns; these are not accessible online but can be accessed in person in the Special Collections and University Archives reading room.
The Photographs series includes images from Corning’s career, including specific programs such as the Partnership in Education and the Cedar Valley’s Promise. Please see the inventory for specifics.
Series 8 consists of certificates, diplomas, and awards granted to Corning throughout her professional life.
Series 9 objects: The Object series contains items used or received by Corning during the course of career, such as a desk nameplate, Equal Rights Amendment bracelet, and a shovel from the groundbreaking of the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center.
The final grouping is the Public Service series. These materials were in the same box labeled “Public Service” upon arrival at Rod Library, so they were kept together and not integrated into the rest of the collection. Please note that there is content overlap between the Public Services series and the remainder of the Joy Corning papers. As such, it may be useful to browse other series for similar content and material type. This series includes correspondence, ephemera, news clippings, and assorted administrative records.
Dates
- 1952-2016
Creator
- Corning, Joy Cole (Person)
Language of Materials
Materials mostly in English. Some materials from Corning’s Japan visits are in Japanese.
Conditions Governing Access
Most materials are open for research. Materials related to the confidentiality of personnel, student, medical, and other legally protected records are CLOSED to researchers for 70 years from the date of creation. If the date of creation is unknown, they are closed for 70 years from the date of processing. Consult the University Archivist with any questions or concerns
Technical Access
Newspaper articles and clippings were digitized due to preservation concerns. These may be accessed by visiting the Special Collections and University Archives reading room.
General Use, Reproduction, and Copyright Policies
Many items housed in the Rod Library Special Collections & University Archives, including unpublished images and manuscripts, may be protected by copyright, publication rights, trademarks, or model release rights which the library does not own and for which the library cannot grant permission or licensing. Materials currently under copyright are usually still available for research and limited reproduction under Fair Use laws. However, it is the sole responsibility of the patron to determine whether or not their use of a given material falls within Fair Use guidelines and to obtain permission for said use from the rightful copyright owner.
Sensitive Materials Statement
Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy or similar laws, and the Iowa Open Records Law (see Iowa Code § 22.7). Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which the University of Northern Iowa assumes no responsibility.
Biographical / Historical
Joy Cole Corning was a public official in the state of Iowa, serving as a state senator and lieutenant governor in the late 1980s through the 1990s. She was active politically and culturally throughout the state. Corning was born in Bridgewater, Iowa, on September 7, 1932. She graduated from Bridgewater High School in 1949 and received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the Iowa State Teachers College (now the University of Northern Iowa) in 1954. She then taught in Waterloo and Greenfield, Iowa, schools. She married Burton E. Corning, with whom she had three children. Corning first held public office when she was elected to the Cedar Falls Community Schools Board of Education in 1973, a position in which she served for eleven years. She was elected to the Iowa State Senate in 1985 and served as an assistant minority leader and ranking Senate Republican on a standing committee. While in the Senate, she introduced legislation to outlaw physical punishment in schools and to extend the statute of limitations on sexual abuse. In 1990, she was elected Lieutenant Governor of Iowa under Governor Terry Brandstad, serving two terms. During that time, she chaired the National Conference of Lieutenant Governors from 1996 to 1997. As Lieutenant Governor, Corning advocated for inclusion and diversity in the state, in addition to leading efforts to better the foster care system and rights for women, including chairing the state’s first STOP Violence Against Women Coordinating Council. Also during her two terms, she initiated and oversaw many projects, such as Family Foster Care, the Diversity Committee, the Adoption Initiative, the Women’s Health Initiative, and more. She also participated in three trade missions to Japan.
Corning was active in public service and her community outside of public office as well. Beginning in 2010, she served as an honorary co-chair with former Lieutenant Governor Sally Pederson of the Justice Not Politics non-partisan coalition. She also served two six-year terms on the Planned Parenthood of the Heartland board, during which time she chaired a capital campaign that surpassed its fundraising target. She established the UNI Joy Cole Corning Distinguished Leadership Lecture Series; sat on the Des Moines Symphony’s Foundation Board of Directors; was the director of of the Iowa Peace Institute and the Iowa Association of School Boards; and was active in the League of Voters, PEO, and the United Church of Christ, among many other organizations and causes. Corning received numerous accolades and recognition throughout her lifetime, including the 1985 UNI Alumni Achievement Award and induction into the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame in 2004. Corning passed away in 2017.
Extent
17.93 Linear Feet (32 boxes)
3.58 Linear Feet (oversize folder)
Arrangement
- Series 1: Daily Schedules
- Series 2: Correspondence
- Series 3: Speeches
- Series 4: Ephemera
- Series 5: Administrative records
- Series 6: Clippings / Articles
- Series 7: Photographs
- Series 8: Awards / Recognition
- Series 9: Objects
- Series 10: Public Service
Immediate Source of Acquisition
These materials were donated to SC&UA by Joy Corning’s daughter, Ann Lyons, in 2017 and 2018.
Processing Information
Collection processed and finding aid written by Archival Processor Tessa Wakefield,
- Title
- Joy Corning papers
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script