Human Rights Archives section 2019 election candidates

Human Rights Archives Section 2019 ELECTION CANDIDATES

The 2019 election for the Human Rights Archives section of the Society of American Archivists has the following candidates running for these positions:

  • 1 incoming co-chair position serving 2 years 
  • 4 steering committee member positions ech serving a 1 year term

Ballots will be managed by SAA and distributed in mid-June to all SAA registered members. Results will be announced in mid-July via SAA listservs, the HRA blog, and Twitter social media account. 

Co-Chair Candidates (1 open position)

April Anderson-Zorn

Bio: April K. Anderson-Zorn is the university archivist for Illinois State University. Anderson-Zorn earned an MLIS from FL State University and history MA from the University of Central FL. She is a certified archivist and holds a DAS certificate.

Statement: I currently serve as the co-chair to our campus LGBTQ Institute and have been helping to guide the group and work to preserve their 20+ year history. I understand the differences needed in that role, one where I must advocate for the Institute and one where I must document that advocacy work. I would love to expand my service from my campus to our profession in an effort to help this section further its mission and goals into its next decade.

Natalie Bond

N Bond

Bio: I have worked in and around archives and historical collections for just over a decade, receiving B.A.’s in History and American Studies from Northwestern University in 2008 and an M.S.I. from the University of Michigan in 2012. I then spent two years working at UCBerkeley on a large gubernatorial collection before heading to the beautiful wilds of Montana, where I have spent the past four years working with Congressional archival material as the Political Papers Archivist at the University of Montana. Most recently, I began work at Montana State University as the Assistant Archivist. While my most recent work has focused on political and university archives, I have also engaged in international archival work (primarily in Uganda), provided consultation to both individuals and organizations, and worked with museum-affiliated archival collections (namely, the National Museum of Ireland and the Smithsonian Folkways’ Ralph Rinzler Archives). I served on the Steering Committee for SAA’s Congressional Papers Roundtable and chaired its Diversity Taskforce from 2016-2018, and currently serve on the Association of Centers for the Study of Congress’ CSS/CMS Data Task Force.

Finally I’m a big advocate of work/life balance! So, when I’m not wearing my archivist hat, I can usually be found running on mountains and trails, growing and making herbal medicine, or frequenting one of the many craft breweries that Bozeman has to offer.

Statement: While my current work (university archives) has, on the face of it, little to do with human rights, I would argue that all archives are human rights archives, just as Anne Gilliland asserted at “The Antonym of Forgetting: Global Perspectives on Human Rights Archives” symposium at UCLA in 2013. As archivists, the nuts and bolts of our work is to arrange, describe, and make available archival material to as wide an audience as possible—and, too, to continually and self-reflexively engage with the communities that we serve in order to ensure their representation in the historical record. I believe this is the opportunity that the Human Rights Archives section has: To not only highlight issues and events around the world which shine a light on the connections between archives and human rights, but to serve as advocates and to investigate and interrogate the ways in which our own work affects human rights, both locally and nationally. The psychological affects of archives (or the lack thereof) on the human experience are profound, and I am always trying to integrate this awareness into my work as an archivist. Serving as co-chair of the Human Rights Archives Section would allow me to do so in conjunction with other like-minded folx, to develop creative and empathetic approaches to better understanding the impact of archives on human rights, and to have an impact on the future of the section itself. The diversity and range of my work experience has proved to be invaluable in my work as an archivist, and I believe would similarly benefit my work as co-chair. Thanks for your consideration!

Nancy Edge


Bio: Nancy is currently the Special Collections Archivist at Eunice and James L. West Library at Texas Wesleyan University. She manages and promotes the born-digital and analog materials within the Special Collections which includes the Rare Books Division, the University Art Collection, music manuscripts, photographs, and other ephemera. The collections have particular strengths in: American history; Fort Worth and Texas history; Methodism; classic and contemporary literature; poetry; and the fine and performing arts. Nancy also provides archival and special collections classroom instruction and reference service to community and campus researchers. 

Before coming to Texas Wesleyan, Edge worked with the historical collections at the University of Houston, The Texas History Center in Rosenberg Library, and the Galveston Historical Foundation. Nancy is a Certified Archivist and is currently pursuing the Digital Archives Specialist certification. She earned her bachelor of arts in maritime studies with a minor in anthropology from Texas A&M University at Galveston and her masters in information science from the University of North Texas.

Statement: As a beginning archives professional, I am seeking opportunities to become more involved in our field. I am passionate about human rights and it’s representation in the archival record. I believe this section is vital to the transparency of how these materials are made available in both theory and practice. Subsequently, our efforts will ensure that the records will be available for future generations while simultaneously bring awareness to our profession and the general public. Although I am new to archival leadership, I am confident that my attention to detail, willingness to listen, observe, and collaborate with my fellow archivists who are also passionate about human rights, will serve the section well. 

Ryan Hendrickson

BioI'm the Assistant Director for Manuscripts at the Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center at Boston University, where I've worked since 2000. I have a MLS from Simmons University and a MA in History from Boston University. I also have taught an introduction to archives course at Simmons University as an adjunct professor for about eight years.

Statement: I personally feel that this the work this section does is of the utmost importance to the SAA and the field as a whole -- and will have the most enduring impact. I have some experience processing and cataloging the papers of civil and human rights figures at my repository, including Martin Luther King, Jr. and Elie Wiesel; this gives me some perspective on these issues. I also hope that I can make some contribution to the ongoing work of making human rights collections richer, more available, and more valued within the field as a whole.

Kathryn Puerini 

Bio: I have an MSIS with an Endorsement of Specialization in Archival Science and Certificate of Advanced Study in Preservation of Library and Archival Materials from the University of Texas at Austin. I am also a Certified Archivist, Digital Archives Specialist, and the SAA Key Contact for Virginia. I have previously done volunteer work in the role of editor for the New England Archivists and MARAC journals. I developed a strong interest in human rights archives while at UT, but no hands on experience. After a term position with the Vermont State Archives, I worked for 6 years as the Audiovisual Archives Manager for an animal rights organization (the PETA Foundation). Currently, I'm an archivist in the Geospatial Engineering Department at the University of Virginia. Prior to my MSIS I received an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Montana where I also taught composition and poetry courses for 2 years. 

Statement: While I greatly enjoy my work as an archivist generally, I strive to have a greater impact in the areas of social justice, human rights, and (non-human) animal rights. I would love an opportunity to do this through involvement with SAA's Human Rights Archives section and feel my background and interests make me a strong candidate for the role of co-chair.

Summer Shetenhelm

Bio: My name is Summer Shetenhelm, and I received my MLIS from the University of Denver in June of 2019. My past archival experience involves working for the Colorado State Archives and volunteering at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science in Denver, CO and Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, NY. In July of 2019, I will start as the Digital Collections and Scholarship Librarian at Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, CA. I also have experience with records management. Prior to joining the information science field, I worked for an international exchange non-profit in New York, NY, that created opportunities for international students to come to the United States to work and study. I also spent three and a half years teaching English in South Korea to middle, high school, and university-aged students. 

Statement: Since starting my archival career, I have strived to remember the ‘bigger picture’ of archives, especially in regards to the conditions under which records were created and the ways in which those records can be used against those about whom they were created. One of the most memorable conference sessions regarding human rights and archival records I attended was at ARCHIVES*RECORD 2018, Finding Transparency in Records of Refugee Displacement and Resettlement. This session discussed records of refugees, the complications that can arise with such records, and emphasized the use of best practices from the very beginning of the records process and throughout the lifecycle of these records. It made me reflect on my responsibility as a records professional to work to prevent records from causing violence against vulnerable populations. Although I am still new to the archival field, I will bring enthusiasm and dedication to the Human Rights Archives Section. Additionally, I have some leadership experience--I served as the President-Elect and then President of the University of Denver Student Chapter of the Society of American Archivists for 2017 to 2019 and as the Marketing and Communications Officer of the University of Denver Library and Information Science Student and Alumni Association. I would be honored to be considered as Co-Chair of the SAA Human Rights Archives Section. 

Steering Committee Members (4 open positions)

Erin Mahaney

Bio: Erin Mahaney is the University Archivist for the Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Florida. Erin has a BA in History from New College of Florida, MA in Public History from North Carolina State University, a graduate certificate in Women & Gender Studies from the University of Central Florida, and is a Certified Archivist. Erin has worked in academic, special, and public libraries as well as K-12 history education. Erin has been active with the Society of Florida Archivists over the years, serving on the Executive Board from 2013-2018 as Director, Vice-President, President, and Immediate Past President, as well as on various committees. She is currently part of the Training Working Group for the Sunshine State Digital Network, and is concluding her current term on the Steering Committee for the Human Rights Archives Section.

Statement: I am passionate about exploring the intersection of archives and human rights, and believe there are many valuable ways archival praxis can contribute to human rights initiatives. This past year, I have enjoyed working with my fellow Committee members on a project to start a resource list of collections, repositories, and secondary sources dealing with archives and human rights. There are a number of great projects and ideas coming out of this Section, and I would like the opportunity to continue to be a part of this important work, and to the wider conversation on how archivists as professionals and individuals can support human rights regardless of where they work or the type of collections they work with

Mark A. Matienzo

Bio: Mark A. Matienzo is the Assistant Director for Digital Strategy and Access at the Stanford University Libraries, managing systems that provide discovery and delivery. Mark provides technical leadership for the Virtual Tribunals, a collaborative project between Stanford Libraries and WSD Handa Center for Human Rights and International Justice focused on providing access to documentation from international criminal tribunals. Prior to joining Stanford, Mark worked as an archivist, technologist, and strategist specializing in born-digital materials and metadata management, at institutions including the Digital Public Library of America, Yale University Library, The New York Public Library, and the American Institute of Physics. Mark received a MSI from the University of Michigan School of Information and a BA in Philosophy from the College of Wooster, and was the 2012 recipient of the Mark A. Greene Emerging Leader Award from the Society of American Archivists. 

Statement: I am honored to have the opportunity to run for Steering Committee of the Human Archives Rights Section. I have a long standing interest in human rights, social justice, and recordkeeping, and my recent experience on a collaborative project focused on access to human rights archives has solidified my interested in shaping the future of the section. I believe there are great opportunities to work with HRA members and leadership to provide ethical access balanced with transparency, to better understand the contextual networks involved in the creation and management of human rights documentation, and to enact mass action and societal change. Moreover, I'm interested in identifying opportunities for capacity-building projects that center radical collaboration and the communities impacted by human rights archives.

Daniel McCormack

Bio: Daniel McCormack has served as the archivist/records manager for the Town of Burlington (Massachusetts), since 2002. He is primarily responsible for the town’s public health, personnel, and municipal business records. Prior to serving in Burlington he was a reference librarian at the Brockton (MA) Public Library and a journalist. A member of SAA since 1999, he previously served as the Lone Arrangers Roundtable liaison to the Standards Committee. Currently he is a Steering Committee member of the Human Rights Archives Section and a member of the National Disaster Recovery Fund for Archives Grant Review Committee. He is a member of the Massachusetts Historical Records Advisory Board.

StatementI am seeking election as a Steering Committee member for the Human Rights Section. I wish to continue the work we are undertaking to broaden our reach and create a greater appreciation of human rights issues among archivists. The strength of our section lies in the transcendent role played by archives in all aspects of human existence. Among our most important tasks as archivists is to give voice to those who cannot speak or are kept from participating. Within SAA, the Human Rights Section takes the broadest view of archivist’s role in our stewardship of data and recorded information. We need to continue and grow that role, irrespective of any divisions we have as individuals.

We believe that people have the basic right to see, know, create, and preserve recorded information. Individuals in any society or in any group should never have these rights diminished. In this spirit, the right to access and the ability to use records without unreasonable censorship needs to be fostered. As a Steering Committee member I will continue to oppose expansions of censorship while seeking greater access to archives, particularly to public records.

During the past year, the officers and Steering Committee have undertaken projects to strengthen the outlook and functions of the Section. I plan to continue that work in the coming year. Improving the workings of the Section will allow us to respond to matters demanding swift or enhanced actions and allow us to focus more on matters closest to the interests of members. At the same time, I wish to find greater collaborations with other sections sharing our interests. Individually, our Sections have particular strengths and knowledge. Together, we can have a greater impact. I will work through our Section and with the other members of our Steering Committee make our efforts more powerful. I would like to see us continuing to work with other Sections to expand our vision and to facilitate activities that will benefit both the profession and those we serve.

Joy Novak

Bio: I am currently the Head of Special Collections Management at Washington University in St. Louis, where I oversee all curatorial and collection management activities across all collecting areas in Special Collections. From 2007-2015, I served as the Collections Manager for the Center for the Study of Political Graphics in Los Angeles. I also have experience working with diverse repositories such as the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center, ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archive, and the June L. Mazer Lesbian Archive. I earned my Ph.D. in Information Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles and my M.A. in Public History at the University of California, Riverside. My doctoral research focused on activism in archival practice.

Statement: I’ve long been interested in the role of archives in social justice and that intersection was a major reason I was attracted to the field. Over my career, I’ve had the great opportunity to work with archivists, educators, and activists committed to social justice and human rights issues who have had a major impact on my own daily practice. I am interested in serving on the steering committee to become more involved in the section. I would like to help develop projects and resources for practicing archivists who want to be more engaged in human rights issues but may feel such opportunities are limited in their professional positions.

Web liaison/newsletter editor (1 open position)

Hilary Barlow

Bio: Hilary Barlow is an American archivist based in Toronto, Canada. She has been Editor of the Human Rights Archives Blog and Newsletter since December 2016. Since then, she has published posts on everything from disability records to how the archival profession can contribute to movements for social justice. Hilary is running for re-election to continue publishing diverse content and experiment with new blog post formats and topics. She is also a member of the Archives Association of Ontario and serves on the Professional Development Committee. Outside of her committee appointments, Hilary has worked in archives and libraries in both the United States and Canada. She is a former Democracy Now! archives intern and currently manages a philosophy and theology collection at the Institute for Christian Studies in downtown Toronto.  

Statement: I'm very proud of the posts I've published as editor of the Human Rights Archives Section blog and of the monthly newsletter. It's been thrilling to publish work by archivists and information workers all over the United States, from recent grads to experienced professionals. The blog has also featured content on Canadian and European archival issues. Since I've been editor, writers have tackled a range of issues from collections documenting disability, enslaved people in the archival record, decolonizing archives, and how both archives and cultural heritage professional organizations contribute to social movements. In the future, I want to feature more interviews and opinion pieces to expand the conversation about human rights and the archival professional. It has been extremely rewarding to feature such a diverse and dedicated group of writers, and I hope to continue this project with groundbreaking new content.