Description is in English
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MS517, Evelyn P. Foote Papers, Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
Gift from Evelyn Patricia Foote, 1998 and 2013.
Processed by Cat S. McDowell, Sept. 2004, and Ashley D. Jefferson, July 2013.
Evelyn Patricia "Pat" Foote was born on May 19, 1930 in Durham, North Carolina. Foote began her career in the United States Army in 1959, as a Women's Army Corps (WAC) Officer. During the next thirty years, Foote was often a pioneer in gender equality in the Armed Services, commanding one of the first integrated training battalions, becoming the first woman to serve as a Public Relations Officer in Vietnam, and serving as the first and only female faculty member of the U.S. Army War School in 1979. Foote was also the first woman Inspector General for the Army, and the first female brigade commander in Europe; she also served as the first female commander of Ft. Belvoir, VA. When Foote was promoted to Brigadier General in 1986, she became one of only four female Generals in the U.S. Army. Upon her retirement in 1989, Foote continued to serve on many panels and was in great demand as a speaker, primarily addressing issues facing women in the United States Armed Forces. Foote, a 1953 Wake Forest graduate, served on the Board of Visitors for Wake Forest College and Graduate School from 1995 to 1998. Foote was also heavily involved in the planning of the World War II Memorial dedicated in 2004, as well as the presidential campaigns of Bill Clinton, John Kerry, Barack Obama, John McCain, and Hillary Clinton. General Foote passed away at St. Mary's Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota on August 10, 2025, at the age of 95.
The Evelyn P. Foote Papers span from her elementary school years in 1937, to 1959, when she was commissioned in the United States Army, to 1998, almost a decade after her retirement, to 2009, when she helped campaign for Barack Obama. The collection also contains two copies of Foote's birth certificate from 1930, along with Army personnel records and clippings which provide insight into her life before the Army. The bulk of the Foote Papers, however, relates to her career in the military, and documents both Foote's personal experiences and the larger history of women in the Armed Forces. Foote's rise through the ranks of the U.S. Army, which started with an appointment to the Women's Army Corps (WAC) and ended at Ft. Belvoir, VA as a Brigidier General, is attested to through official military personnel files, which contain record of promotions, awards, evaluations, and transfer orders, in addition to clippings which are biographical in nature or announce significant events in her career. Several journals and calendars also contained in this collection function as appointment books and provide insights into the daily routine of a this female officer from 1977 to 1979 and 1988 to 1990. The high esteem in which BG Foote was held and the significance of the positions she held is attested to through commendations and awards found in her official personnel files, along with numerous invitations, notes of thanks and congratulations, and requests for assistance in personnel matters from lower ranking officers contained in the correspondence series. The Foote Papers also document official U.S. Army activities and policies through handbooks, reports, studies, clippings, and orders. Many of these specifically regard Foote's assignments and command, but female soldiers, gender integration during the transition of WAC members to the regular Army in the 1970s, and the problems of sexual harassment in the military that surfaced after the Tailhook scandal in 1991 are frequent topics, which Foote often quoted, used statistics from, or referred to in speeches.
The Foote Papers document the demand for BG Foote as a guest speaker and panel participant, as well as her interest in, membership to, and participation in an array of women's, veterans, and military organizations. Upon becoming a general in 1986, speaking at events and participating in advisory boards became a significant part of Foote's official duties, and it continued well after her retirement in 1989. Correspondence, speech notes, clippings, and photographs document her military obligations, including participation in official Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Women's History Month observances, appointments to Army committees and speeches given at college ROTC events. The Foote collection also contains videos recordings, correspondence, speech notes, newsletters, and photographs concerning her voluntary participation in women's, veterans, and retirees clubs; civic, scholarly, and political organizations; and the creating of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The Correspondence Series consists of both letters to and from Foote, with the years from 1989 to 1991 most well represented. This series contains all correspondence that Foote did not file with speaking engagements, organizations, or subject files; thus, the range of topics and correspondants is broad. Correspondants include her mother and father, fellow WAC veterans, Army personnel under her command, other Army officers writing letters of congratulations or personal notes, civilian acquaintances, those inviting Foote to present speeches, attend events, or join an organization, and those responding to Foote's public appearances. Correspondence files also contain any photographs, clippings, and newletters mailed with the letters. Official correspondence from the U.S. Army that is not a part of Foote's personnel file is also found in this series. Notable is a 1995 letter to the family of a Vietnam casuality she served with. The Correspondence Series is arranged chronologically.
This folder primarily contains correspondence between Pat and Mr. and Mrs. Foote during Pat's time at Wake Forest College.
This folder primarily contains correspondence between Pat and Mr. and Mrs. Foote during Pat's time at Wake Forest College. There is also a letter addressed to Pat from The Department of Justice, signed by John Edgar Hoover.
This folder primarily contains correspondence between Pat and Mr. and Mrs. Foote during Pat's time at Wake Forest College.
This folder primarily contains correspondence between Pat and Mr. and Mrs. Foote during Pat's time at Wake Forest College.
This folder primarily contains correspondence between Pat and Mr. and Mrs. Foote during Pat's time at Wake Forest College.
This folder primarily contains correspondence between Pat and Mr. and Mrs. Foote during Pat's time at Fort McClellan, a United States Army post located in Alabama.
This folder primarily contains correspondence between Pat and Mr. and Mrs. Foote during Pat's time at Fort McClellan, a United States Army post located in Alabama.
This folder primarily contains correspondence between Pat and Mr. and Mrs. Foote during Pat's time at Fort McClellan, a United States Army post located in Alabama.
This folder primarily contains correspondence between Pat and Mr. and Mrs. Foote during Pat's time at Fort McClellan and Portland, Oregon.
This folder primarily contains correspondence between Pat and Mr. and Mrs. Foote during Pat's time in Portland, Oregon.
This folder primarily contains correspondence between Pat and Mr. and Mrs. Foote during Pat's time in Portland, Oregon.
This folder primarily contains correspondence between Pat and Mr. and Mrs. Foote during Pat's time in Oregon.
This folder primarily contains correspondence between Pat and Mr. and Mrs. Foote during Pat's time in Oregon.
This folder primarily contains correspondence between Pat and Mr. and Mrs. Foote during Pat's time in Oregon.
This folder primarily contains correspondence between Pat and Mr. and Mrs. Foote during Pat's time in Oregon.
This folder primarily contains correspondence between Pat and Mr. and Mrs. Foote during Pat's time in Indianapolis, Indiana.
This folder primarily contains correspondence between Pat and Mr. and Mrs. Foote during Pat's time in San Francisco, California.
This folder primarily contains correspondence between Pat and Mr. and Mrs. Foote during Pat's time in San Francisco, California.
This folder primarily contains correspondence between Pat and Mr. and Mrs. Foote during Pat's time in McClean, Virginia.
This folder contains correspondence from the Army and University of Maryland.
This folder primarily contains correspondence between Pat and Mr. and Mrs. Foote during Pat's time in Leavenworth, Kansas; Mclean, Virginia; and San Francisco, California.
This folder primarily contains correspondence between Pat and Mr. and Mrs. Foote during Pat's time in Leavenworth, Kansas; Mclean, Virginia; and Silver Spring, Maryland.
This folder primarily contains correspondence between Pat and Mr. and Mrs. Foote during Pat's time in Kansas, Virginia, and Washington D.C.
This folder contains correspondence between Pat, her father, and friends; mostly regarding her mother's passing.
This folder contains correspondence received by Pat from various governmental officials.
This folder primarily contains correspondence between Pat and various government officials.
This folder primarily contains correspondence between Pat and various army personnel.
This folder contains correspondence received by Pat from the Army Department, an attorney, and Shippensburg State College.
This folder primarily contains correspondence received by Pat from the Army Department and various Women's associations.
This folder primarily contains correspondence with the Army Department.
This folder primarily contains correspondence with the Army Department.
This folder primarily contains correspondence with the Army Department.
This folder primarily contains correspondence with the Army Department.
The School Years Series contains certificates, report cards, yearbooks, graduation pamphlets, newspaper articles written by Pat, correspondence, photographs, publications, and various other materials from Pat's educational years at Durham City Schools, Wake Forest College, George Washington University, University of Maryland, and University of Virginia.
No Subnote Content
The Speaking Engagements Series primarily contains correspondence such as requests for Foote to speak and note of thanks. Most folders contain a speech outline and/or notes, and occassionally may also include information collected for use in or preparation of the speech, programs and printed materials from the event, and clippings and photographs, if they pertain to a specific speaking engagement Foote accepted. These materials are organized by event and arranged chronologically. Folder titles list the organization sponsoring the event, followed by the event or occassion of the speech, when known. Unknown, general, or multiple events are denoted simply as "Addresses." Due to the complex hierarchical nature of the United States Army, "U. S. Army" is assumed in the case of subordinate Army organizations or institutions. Therefore, Army bases are filed simply as Forts, while some organizational titles may be inverted, so that "U.S. Army" follows the subordinant institution.
The Organizations Series primarily contains mailings from organizations of which Foote was a member or in which she participated or had an interest, with the bulk dating to her retirement years, 1989-1998. Folders may contain newsletters, personal correspondence regarding organization acitivities, reports from boards on which she served, or programs and memorabilia from organizational events she attended. Note that there is occassional overlap with the Speaking Engagements Series - records concerning specific events at which Foote was to be a keynote speaker are filed there. This series is arranged alphabetically by organization.
The Personnel Files Series contain both Foote's Official Military Personnel File (OMPF)(often referred to as her "201 File") and the copies of official documents and personal commendations she kept for her own records. Along with Foote's civilian and military education, fitness, and OERs, these records document Foote's promotions, assignments, orders, and awards. The Personnel Files are arranged alphabetically by subject, followed by miscellaneous and general records filed chronologcially.
The Subject Files Series contains those files kept discrete by Foote that do not fall under the categories of Organizations or Speaking Engagements. This series also contains some files artificially created by the processor due to the large volume of materials on a particular subject or in order to categorize otherwise miscellaneous materials. The Subject Files are arranged alphabetically.
The Women in the Military Series contains those files that relate to Foote's involvement with The Army Women's Foundation, Women Who Make America (MAKERS), and various organizations that celebrate women's roles in military and throughout history. These materials are arranged by subject.
Correspondence
History, FAQ, Staff member listing
Suggestions for spreading awareness of the memorial
Newspaper articles
Invitations, pamphlets, Dedication event, travel information
General event information/descriptions
Brochures, registration information, Foote's event reservation
Postcards, Donation agreement, Booklet
Education Center, Project Overview
Arlington National Cemetary postcards, Souvenir catalog, Pentagram article
The Calendars and Journals Series contains materials that record Foote's daily activities. The years 1978 and 1979 are especially well represented, as both an appointment book and Foote's brief reflections on those activities exists in journal form. This series is arranged chronologically.
The Clippings Series contains copies of newspaper and magazine articles Foote collected. Primary topics of the clippings are the WAC, Foote's career, and women in the military. This series is arranged chronologically.
The Awards and Certificates Series consists of certificates and awards primarily presented to Foote by the United States Army and other Armed Forces institutions. These are arranged chronologically.
The Publications Series contains handbooks, reports, periodicals, and directories. These materials are organized by subject and arranged alphabetically.
The Military Series contains materials that relate to Foot's time in the military. Within the series, there are papers regarding panels, conferences, hearings, Supreme Court Decisions; as well as correspondence, memos, and salary. These materials are arranged by subject.
Includes correspondence from Sullivan and Cromwell and Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc.
The Women in Service Series contains materials that relate to the Women's Research and Education Institute, Women in Military Service for America, Women's Military Aviators, Women in Fire Service, California Women's Law Center, WOPA, ZONTA, and the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services. These materials are arranged by subject.
The Wake Forest University Series contains materials that relate to Foote's involvement with Wake Forest University. These materials are arranged by subject.
The Photographs Series contains all the photographs that Foote did not file with the letter they were enclosed in or other materials from the event they recorded. The vast majority of photographs in this series portray Foote; these primarily include official group photographs of Foote's WAC battalions, her graduating classes at various Armed Forces training schools, or fellow conference participants. This series also contains her official personnel file portraits and professional photos of Foote taken at events by the press or for the Army Public Affairs Office, as well as snapshots given to her by acquaintances. The Photographs Series is arranged chronologically.
The World War II Memorial Series contains all the materials that relate to the creation and presentation of the WWII Memorial in Washinton, D.C. This series contains notes, correspondence, reports, etc. that detail site selection, design, and dedication. The series also contains photographs, pins, and lanyards. The World War II Memorial Series is arranged by subject.
The presidential Campaigns Series contains correspondence, pamphlets, photographs, invitations, coasters, pins, and stickers that relate to the presidential compaigns Foote was involved with. The series is arranged chronologically.
TheTapes Series contains VHS tapes, videocassettes, CDs, and cassettes that relate to Foote's military career and involvement with the WWII Memorial. The materials in this series are arranged chronologically.
The Oversize Materials Series contains correspondence, photographs, awards, certificates, posters, and publications that relate to Foote's military career. The materials in this series are arranged chronologically by subject.