Guide to the Dorothy L. Rankin Papers

This collection documents Dorothy L. Rankin’s missionary service in Africa from 1947 to 1990 beginning under the auspices of the Women’s General Missionary Society of the United Presbyterian Church of North America. It also reflects her post-retirement activities in Xenia, Ohio until her death in 1995. During this period, Rankin served under the Board of Foreign Missions of the United Presbyterian Church of North America (UPCNA), the Commission on Ecumenical Mission and Relations (COEMAR) and the Program Agency of the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. (UPCUSA), and the Program Agency and the Global Mission Ministry Unit of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

The bulk of this collection is Rankin’s correspondence with family members arranged chronologically from 1947 to 1989. Rankin also maintained alphabetically arranged subject files regarding world mission issues from 1937 to 1995. Her keen interest in photography is reflected in three photograph albums that document her voyage to Africa and early years in service, 1947-1950, and color slides of various locations in Africa, 1947-1992. 

This collection is arranged in five series. Series I: Biographical Materials is arranged chronologically, 1920, 1943-1995, and primarily document Rankin’s education, training, missionary service, and death. A few items relate to her father, Henry Rankin (1893-1920), and her stepfather, Herman W. Eavey (1879-1964).

The bulk of Series II: Correspondence is correspondence with family members, 1947-1989. Interfiled with this correspondence are letters to Patricia Anne Stafford (Mrs. M. Friberg). The family correspondence relates Rankin’s daily activities predominantly in Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, and brief visits to other African nations. Also in this series are “Dear Friends” letters, 1947-1994, which document mission activities. These are circular letters sent by Rankin and ones received from other missionaries stationed in Africa, South America, and North America. This series is arranged chronologically.

Series III: Subject Files includes subject files which Rankin kept, arranged alphabetically, that reflect her work with the Mission Committee, Memorial United Church in Xenia, Ohio, and her interest in education, peacemaking, and funding of foreign missions, 1937-1995.

Series IV: Publications and Newspaper Clippings consists of writings by Rankin and others, newspaper clippings, and mission-related booklets and brochures, 1935-1994. The newspaper clippings reflect general missionary activities and political situations in Africa.

The remainder of the collection, Series V: Audio and Visual Materials, consists of photographs mostly taken by Rankin and includes six photo albums, loose photographs, negatives, and slides. Three of the albums document her initial voyage to Africa and her early years in Sudan, 1947-1950. Other photos are of her travels throughout Africa on various assignments, consultations, and personal trips. The color slide collection images are of villages, schools, and natives primarily in Ethiopia and Sudan, arranged chronologically from 1947 to 1992. The majority of photos and slides are annotated by Rankin. The four audiocassette tapes are a 1973 letter to family; a 1973 survey trip to Gurafarda, Ethiopia; U.N. Convention on Rights of the Child, 1991-1992; and The Church: Its Identity and Mission, a talk by Dr. Bess, 1993.