iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

#onthisday in 1904, writer, journalist, and intelligence officer Graham Greene was born. Greene travelled extensively during his career and his papers document his travel and his relationships across countries and continents. For more: findingaids.bc.edu/repositories/2/r…

Stack of passports belonging to Graham Greene

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

HBD to Congressman Edward Boland! Boland graduated from BC Law and served in Congress from 1953 to 1989. Boland was a close friend of Tip O’Neill and roomed with him when they were in Washington DC. Boland’s papers live at Burns. Learn more: findingaids.bc.edu/repositories/2/r…

Congressman Edward Boland with a gavel in front of an American flag

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Many Batman story arcs seem to have ubiquitous reach in the comic world, but there are lesser known stories that are just as memorable and creative. Check out our blog for more: johnjburnslibrary.wordpress.com/202…

Batman in front of a brick wall with wings spread saying "And I am the king of hell!"

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Irish Studies at Boston College @bc-irish-studies.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

"‘From Suffrage to Sisterhood’ Senia Pašeta, BC's new Burns Scholar in Irish Studies, will speak on September 30" See BC News' write-up on this semester's Visiting Burns Scholar www.bc.edu/content/bc-w... @burnslibrary.bsky.social

bc.edu

‘From Suffrage to Sisterhood’

Senia Pašeta, BC's new Burns Scholar in Irish Studies, will speak on September 30

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Starting in the late 1850s, the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland formed Model Schools to provide vocational ed to Irish workers. In 1861, they published this primer, “Simple directions in needle-work and cutting out : intended for the use of the national female schools of Ireland."

lace work sample pasted onto a green specimen page

baby shirt sample pasted onto a green specimen page

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

It's the last days of #LeoSeason and we’re soaking in the light of this 1548 Spanish version of Peter Apian’s Cosmographia. 🧵

Illustration from Cosmographia showing diagram of meridian line with text in Spanish

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Cambridge native, BC alum, Congressman, and Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill believed that public service was a means to right societal wrongs, build thriving communities, and support individual and collective growth. Explore his life in our new exhibit: storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/30ea...

storymaps.arcgis.com

Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill, Jr.

An Exhibit at Boston College's O'Neill Library

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Born on this day in 1645, Eusebio Francisco Kino was an Italian Jesuit, missionary, and cartographer who worked in present-day Mexico and Arizona. Arriving in the early 1680s, Kino drew many maps of the area, several of which are included in this 1965 volume documenting Kino’s cartography.

Map by Eusebio Francisco Kino showing Jesuit missions in the Sonora area

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Tina Morin @drtinamorin.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

I'm leaving Boston College today filled with gratitude: what an amazing six weeks this has been! I've gotten more done on my book project than I have for a very long time thanks to the resources and support of @burnslibrary.bsky.social and @bc-irish-studies.bsky.social.

A maroon sign with 'Boston College' written in gold lettering. The sign is set in front of greenery, with yellow, white, and red flowers in front of it.

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

pov: your camera roll if you were dating john boyle o'reilly

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

On August 6, 1945, the US detonated an atomic bomb over Hiroshima, killing thousands. Eight Jesuit priests in the rectory and church near the center of the blast amazingly suffered only minor injuries. Four years later, in 1949, Japanese Catholics observed mass at the church ruins

Priests perform a mass in front of damaged church building while a crowd of worshippers looks on in Hiroshima. Collection of the quadricentennial celebration of St. Francis Xavier's arrival in Japan and related photographs, MS.2005.020, John J. Burns Library, Boston College

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Today, BC celebrates the feast day of St. Ignatius and also marks the close of William P. Leahy, S.J.'s transformative thirty year presidency. This photo shows Fr. Leahy celebrating mass in Gasson Hall in the late 1990s. findingaids.bc.edu/repositories/2/a…

Color photograph of William Leahy celebrating mass in Gasson Hall

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

In the summer of 1914, a visitor to Cape Cod pasted this image in a photo album and captioned it “Among the desolate waste of sand dunes on Cape Cod, Mass.” For more images of Cape Cod sand dunes, check out the entire album: library.bc.edu/iiif/view/BC2023-014…

man in hat and tie stands in the middle of sand dunes

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Did you know that the Red Sox used to play in a stadium off Huntington Avenue? From 1901-1911, the Red Sox (named the Boston Americans until 1908) played in the Huntington Avenue Baseball Grounds, a stadium located on the present-day Northeastern University campus.

Crowd in stands at Huntington Avenue Grounds

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Digitization alert! We recently digitized new portions of our Boston College alumni papers, including scrapbooks, diplomas, essays, & sermons. We like this photo of the class of 1910, from alum John Kirby. See more digitized materials: findingaids.bc.edu/repositories/2/r…

Photograph of individuals from the Boston College Class of 1901, centered around a photo of the Boston College president

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

We just finished processing a collection from our neighbor, the Parish of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. The records include announcements, histories, photos, & programs. We especially like this 1952 card with instructions for the eucharistic fast. findingaids.bc.edu/repositories/2/r…

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Disability Pride Month marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and marks the ongoing work to make civil rights real in daily life. These guides document work on accessibility at BC after the ADA. For more, see the finding aid: findingaids.bc.edu/repositories...

Two pamphlets labeled "Handicapped Student Guide" and "Disabled Student Guide" with symbol of person in wheelchair and outline of Gasson Hall clock tower

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

#otd in 1817, Thoreau was born in Concord, Mass. This 1977 biography originally belonged to writer and BC alum George Ryan. Ryan researched Thoreau and his connection to Ellen Sewall Osgood, an amateur geologist. For more of George Ryan’s research materials, contact us!

Book cover with sketch of Henry David Thoreau's face and title "Young Man Thoreau"

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

The sun is out, the sky is blue, and we’re ready to spend some time on the beach! In 1887, the creator of this album spent time in North Scituate, snapping photos of Minot Beach and other coastal areas. To see more, contact us. findingaids.bc.edu/repositories/2/r…

Rocky beach and shoreline with houses in distance

Fisherman or clam digger sitting on the side of a small boat on a beach

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Boston College @bostoncollege.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

As America celebrates its 250th birthday, Irish Institute Director Professor Mary C. Murphy pens an essay about the current and future relationship between the U.S. and Ireland. on.bc.edu/AmericaIreland250_MM

Flags of the United States and Ireland are flying side by side against a blue sky.

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

July is Cape Verdean Heritage Month! These photos of Cape Verdean laborers working in the Agawam cranberry bogs document some of the earliest Cape Verdean immigrants to Massachusetts. 🧵 @universalhub.com

Cape Verdeans wearing early 20th century dress and straw hats work in a cranberry bog

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

This spring, students from Professor Jean Franzino’s First Year Writing class explored our collections. We’re excited to share an essay by student, Gibson Hurley about Countess Constance Markievicz. Read here johnjburnslibrary.wordpress.com/202…

Countess Constance Markievicz stands outdoors aiming a gun

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

In 1871, Fisk University organized a student acapella group to tour the US and fundraise. They took the name the Jubilee Singers, a reference to the Jewish year of Jubilee in which the enslaved were set free. This 1898 book includes the group’s history as well as some of the music they performed.

Book page with heading "Jubilee Songs" and words and music for "Nobody Knows the Trouble I see, Lord!)"

Book page with words and music for "John Brown's Body"

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Today is the 251st anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill. Samuel Leighton of Kittery Maine enlisted in the 30th Regiment of Foot on May 3, 1775 and fought at Bunker Hill a little over a month later. His papers, including this muster roll, live with us. For more: findingaids.bc.edu/repositories...

Handwritten muster roll with names, ranks, dates of enlistment, hometowns, and additional information

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

#otd in 1912, Bostonian Sally Fairchild photographed a civic celebration in Kyoto, Japan, capturing school children waving Japanese flags. On the second year of a four year journey through Asia, Sally had arrived in Japan after previously spending time in Manila. 🧵

Black and white photo of crowd with children waving Japanese flags and individuals using umbrellas to block the sun

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

On this day in 1906, Harvard performed Aeschylus’ Agamemnon in the original Greek. The June 14 performance was an open rehearsal and took place in Harvard’s Stadium in Brighton. Its documented in a photo album living in our collections. View the album: library.bc.edu/iiif/view/BC...

Actors in ancient Greek costumes and horse drawn chariots in a theatre set in Harvard Stadium

Actors in ancient Greek costumes and others in 20th century dress in front of a theatre set with an ancient Greek building in Harvard Stadium

Actors dressed in togas in Harvard Stadium

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

In 1946, Paul Wilkas, a #BostonCollege graduate, #Dorchester native, and son of a Lithuanian immigrant, traveled to Spain for the Pax Romana Conference. In the wake of World War II and the Spanish Civil War, the conference controversially gathered Catholic students in Franco’s Spain. 🧵

Paul Wilkas next to rope and pulley system

Paul Wilkas stands in front of Valencia post office with posters of Franco pasted on wall behind him

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Check out our new blog post “Riding the Emerald Necklace: Bicycle Ads and the New Woman," written by BC First Year Writing student Katie DiCesare after a visit to Burns Library. johnjburnslibrary.wordpress.com/202…

Boston Park Guide Cover with color artwork of woman and girl walking underneath trees in a park

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Kicking off Pride with this 1987 advertisement for a Boston City Hall dance party! Who wants to let loose to Dean and the Weenies? Bromfield Street Educational Foundation. Gay Community News. GCN, 1987 @boston.gov

Newspaper ad with photo of group in front of graffittied wall and text "After Pride Come Take Over City Hall! Dance Party featuring Dean and the Weenies, radical beat from NYC, Right Time Boston based "World Beat" dance band, John Demeter, Boston's "movement" DJ

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

#otd in 1779, Irish poet, lyricist, and political writer Thomas Moore was born in Dublin. Moore is perhaps best known for his poetry and lyrics, including “Irish Melodies” a series of lyrics for popular Irish tunes. We hold both archives and published works related to Moore. Contac us for more!

Bookshelf full of books by and about Thomas Moore, many with decorative bindings

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Sir Walter Raleigh gripped the English imagination both before and after his death, becoming a mythic figure in the English consciousness. Read more in our new blog post “The Ghost of Walter Raleigh." johnjburnslibrary.wordpress.com/202…

Engraving of Sir Walter Raleigh in a ruff

book title page reading "Sir Walter Rawleigh's ghost; : or, His apparition to an intimate friend, willing him to translate into English, this learned book of L. Lessius entituled, (De providentiâ numinis, & animi immortalitate)

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Barney Frank was known for his advocacy for workers, his advancement of civil rights, his sweeping financial reforms - and his humor. In 1984, he posed for a photo with fellow MA Congressman Tip O’Neill and sent him a copy with a note. findingaids.bc.edu/repositories/2/a…

Black and white photo of Congressman Barney Frank wearing a camouflage helmet and posting with Congressman Tip O'Neill and other individual. Photo has note reading "Tip, What'll they say in Harvard Square when they see me in this? - Barney"

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

rip anne boleyn you were a real one Benger, E. Memoirs of the Life of Anne Boleyn, Queen of Henry VIII. 2d. ed., Printed for Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, 1821.

portrait of Anne Boleyn on a book frontispiece

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

We're wishing all our students the best of luck on #finalexams and final papers!

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

We're celebrating #NationalNursesDay with photos frm Boston College Nursing Professor Mary Rita Petkauskas, showing nurses teaching Boston Red Cross Parents classes in the 1950s and 1960s. They come from her work in the Nursing School’s Maternal and Child Health Program. @bostoncollege.bsky.social

Birthing class in Boston's Chinatown . Nurse and nuns demonstrate with a participant in a bed while seated children and adults look on

Parents practice bathing a baby doll while a nurse and a priest look on

Parents pose with baby wearing a bonnet while a nurse looks on

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

#otd in 1899, the Marlborough Shoe Strike ended. 7 months earlier, factory owners locked out workers + demanded contracts be negotiated only by individuals. By May, they had forced strikers to capitulate. Read more in a report partly penned by Emily Greene Balch: hdl.handle.net/2027/bc.ark:...

Cover of report with title "The Marlboro Strike"

Title pages of report reading "The Strike of the Shoe Workers in Marlboro Mass., Nov 14, 1898-May 5, 1899. A Report prepared for the Civic Department of the Twentieth Century Club of Boston by the following committee: F. Spencer Baldwin, Emily G. Balch, William L. Rutan"

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

What was the Southeast Asian Student Association at BC like in the ‘90s? Southeast Asian Student Association (SEASA): Asian Pacific Islander Community Awareness Retreat (APICAR), 1996Thea Bowman AHANA and Intercultural Center records #AAPI #AAPIMonth

Students from the Southeast Asian Student Association dressed in 1990s era clothing pose outdoors with a handwritten poster reading "Wecome to APICAR"

Students from the Southeast Asian Student Association dressed in 1990s era clothing participating in a ropes course activity in the woods

Students from the Southeast Asian Student Association dressed in 1990s era clothing make silly poses in front of a body of water outdoors

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

We have recently processed and made available the papers of BC math professor, pedagogue, gardener, and Basset hound lover Stanley Bezuszka ("Father B"). His collection includes drafts and work on "new math" textbook, essays about making math interesting and relevant to elementary school kids...1/2

Basset hound lounges on a stack of papers in an office full of books while a Stanley Bezuszka looks on

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Boston College @bostoncollege.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

English Professor Lori Harrison-Kahan demonstrates that California-based, female writers played formative roles in Jewish American literary history in her new book, "West of the Ghetto: Jewish Women, Old San Francisco, and American Literary Culture." on.bc.edu/Harrison-Kahan_BCB

A woman in a blue shirt leans against a pillar, appearing relaxed and contemplative in her surroundings.

Cover of the book "West of the Ghetto: Jewish Women, Old San Francisco, and American Literary Culture" by Lori Harrison-Kahan. The image features a historical cityscape with a prominent, ornate building and bustling street scene.

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Happy Shakespeare Day! Since BC’s beginnings, its students have engaged with Shakespeare as both performers and spectators. In 1886, BC alum James Alyward directed this Thanksgiving performance of Hamlet. Request to see the scrapbook: findingaids.bc.edu/repositories/2/a…

playbill for Hamlet pasted into a scrapbook

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

In 1930, Walton Advertising and Printing Co published this booklet, documenting Paul Revere’s ride and the Battle of Lexington and Concord. They advertised the booklet’s retelling of Paul Revere's ride and “other stirring incidents.” Digitized version: catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/10220…

Book with title "Heroes of the Battle Road" and cover image of man in a tricorn hat on a horse in front of other books on a shelf

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

Mayor Wu will take the first Swan Boat ride of the season today, marking 149 years of Swan Boats at the Public Garden. dyk that the boats are still powered by a foot propelled paddle wheel. This image from the late 1800s/early 1900s lives in our collections. More: library.bc.edu/iiif/view/BC...

Black and white photograph of individuals in Victorian dress on a Swan Boat in the Boston Public Garden Lagoon

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

Whether or not you filed your taxes yesterday, enjoy this postcard from playwright and activist (George) Bernard Shaw. Shaw sent this pre-printed postcards to people who reached out seeking charitable donations. Contact us to see more. Finding aid here: findingaids.bc.edu/repositories...

Mr. Bernard Shaw receives daily a mass of appeals from charitable institutions, religious sects, and Churches, inventors, Utopian writers desirous of establishing international millennial leagues, parents unable to afford secondary education for their children: in short, everybody and every enterprise in financial straits of any sort..."

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

otd in 1939, poet, playwright, & translator Seamus Heaney was born in Northern Ireland. Heaney once compared his pen to his father’s spade, a tool he used to unearth truths large and small. We hold a collection of Heaney’s original correspondence and manuscripts. findingaids.bc.edu/repositories...

Black and white image of Seamus Heaney standing on a pier, gazing at water

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

This March, we welcomed the Texts & Textiles of Robert & Catharine Morris miniconference! The conference presented new grad student research into Robert & Catharine, two of Boston College’s early and essential supporters. Presentations explored the Morris family books, textiles, and legacy at BC.

Four individuals pose together with artwork of Robert and Catharine Morris in the background

Presenter stand at podium in book lined room with a powerpoint display behind them showing covers of "A Colored American" magazine

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Irish Studies at Boston College @bc-irish-studies.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

Ray Cashman delivered a fantastic Burns Scholar Lecture on how Irish deathcare workers believe, disbelieve, or hedge their bets on the existence of spirits. Cashman's focuses on stories of spirits of the dead making themselves known, a term folklorists call "memorates." @burnslibrary.bsky.social

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

For the first time since 1972, NASA has sent humans on a lunar mission. We’re stepping back to into time to the era of the Apollo missions, when Massachusetts Congressman Edward Boland took an active role in funding the Apollo program and NASA through his role on the Appropriations Committee.

Cover of Apollo 11 Misson Program with image of moon and lunar module

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

Join us on Wed, April 8, for Ray Cashman's Burns Scholar lecture, Exploring Belief in Spirits of the Dead Among Contemporary Irish Death Care Workers." Complimentary reception at 5 pm, lecture at 6 pm. All are welcome!

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Burns Library @burnslibrary.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

The papers of 20th century journalist and urban planning activist Leticia Kent are now available! Kent’s papers document her career at the Village Voice, her urban planning activism, and her relationship with friend and mentor Jane Jacobs. 🔗 findingaids.bc.edu/repositories/2/r…

closeup detail of Village Voice page showing cartoon of individual sitting at table and text starting with "First to Stephanie Harrington, Sally Kempton, and Leticia Kent to find out what's up with pot, pornography, and the Women's House of Detention."

Village Voice page with cartoon of individual sitting at table and text reading "The Village Voice, The Weekly Newspaper of New York is now available on newsstands in Rockefeller Center, 15 cents"

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