Your History Matters with Archivist Angela Todd

“Over 18 years, only one woman thought she had something good enough to be saved,” said Archivist Angela Todd.

By the way, this thing worth saving was a sexual discrimination lawsuit that she waged against her university. 

Archiving is about collecting evidence of history. But not everyone views themselves as historical.

Who is Archiving?

Apparently, not enough women are archiving their own records.

“That’s every woman that I’ve met, and that’s been my biggest barrier,” said Angela. “They think, History is this big, fancy thing, and I don’t think I belong in it.”

People may feel excluded because of gatekeeping. Some key players in defining history have followed outdated terms for what’s worth remembering – such as by solely propping up those leading in traditionally male roles of academia, politics, and armed forces. But in recent decades, archivists and librarians have been striving to be inclusive collectors who break down barriers.

Angela has archived artifacts that would have otherwise been excluded. Things big and small! Even for “normal” and “average” folk, they should know that valuable artifacts represent daily goings-on – things that may feel humdrum, routine, and familiar. For the same reasons that they seem insignificant, they actually define culture. And you’re a part of it!

The little things do matter. 

Consider Angela’s account of a 1960’s photo from a family camping trip. A potentially-extinct species of moss was sitting in the background. The time and place of that photo aided in the tracking of that moss and in determining its native range.

“Sometimes there’s something in your personal archive that you don’t realize is there,” she said.

One key to overcoming this barrier to accessing a fuller, more-thorough history is the very thing that this barrier takes from us: a concept of self-worth.

Angela knows this personally, not having gotten around to completely archiving records about her.

“You know how the cobbler’s children have no shoes,” she said. “I’m going through exactly what I’m trying to teach people.”

Angela does have a family archive with materials like awards, report cards, her grandmother’s scrapbooks, and photos of a long lineage of potato farmers.

“It’s a source of pride,” she said. “We helped feed the country.”

These accounts do contribute to her pedigree, her memories, and her identity.

“Our mom took us out of school once so we could pick potatoes,” said Angela. She appreciates what hard work that was.

For women, it’s often easier to celebrate and support others rather than themselves.  

And while they do so, these contributors may be in pursuit of helping others leave a legacy behind.

What is a legacy?

“It’s a big word,” said Angela. “To me, it means leaving a mark, leaving proof that you existed.” 

The process of doing so can be healing, reassuring, and affirming. 

The potential of which is seen through Angela’s client testimonials. One was surprised by all the stories she hadn’t heard before and all of the things she found in her loved one’s storage unit. A second client felt she had done her duty as a daughter. A third client was glad to be able to hear her dad’s voice in recordings after he passed, and it helped her realize his everlasting love for her. 

So, archiving is an opportunity for closure and reminiscence.

But people may wonder how they can spot a credible archivist. 

Look to Angela as an example of where to find an archivist and of what they may have in relevant, accrediting experience. 

Angela has studied with Groundswell: Oral History for Social Change. 

She developed a passion and expertise for oral history in part because, in the past, illiteracy and access to record-keeping tools have been barriers to the public’s agency and cultural participation. 

“Oral history is the best tool for radical inclusion,” she said.

She described it as quick, accessible, and user-friendly. And it can record experiences that haven’t left a paper trail.

This specialty sits next to her degrees in women’s history and cultural theory. Angela has worked in a museum and a library. And she donates some of her earnings to the National Women’s History Museum.

Now, she leads presentations like “Ordinary Women Make History”. She also takes on big projects. She’s tracked a supper club outside of Pittsburg throughout the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s. She’s followed five generations of a Jewish family from the moment they stepped foot on American soil to the 1980’s. This captured a potentially-lost part of Jewish history – that of holiday camps, like in Dirty Dancing but more for working class families.

All in all, archives can be tools for us to shape history, connect to our past, and tell future generations the stories of their lineage.