Iris Toyer index, 2022-05-09
Scope and Contents
D.C. Oral History Collaborative (DCOHC) is a citywide initiative to train community members in oral history skills, fund new and ongoing oral history projects, connect volunteers with oral history projects, and publicize existing oral history collections. DCOHC is a project of DC Public Library, HumanitiesDC, and the Historical Society of Washington, D.C. This collection contains oral history interviews, transcripts, and indexes produced by DCOHC grantees.
Dates
- Creation: 2022-05-09
Biographical / Historical
Iris Toyer advocated for DC Public Schools in numerous ways—first as the president of the PTA at her children’s elementary school, then as a founder and board member of Parents United. As co-chair of the organization, she sponsored a successful ballot initiative that declared education to be of the highest priority during the city’s budget process. She also served on the Board of Education and directed the Washington Lawyers’ Committee Program that involved law firms working with public schools.
Extent
From the Collection: 1.13 Terabytes
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Iris Toyer, a native Washingtonian, recalls her education in DC Public Schools and later attending and graduating from the University of the District of Columbia and Georgetown Law School. She discusses her early advocacy as president of the Stanton Elementary School PTA, being involved with the Parent Group Fund and working with the young lawyer who volunteered at Stanton. Iris recalls the 1980 school budget crises that led parents from across the city to protest and to form Parents United. She talks about spearheading the successful ballot initiative that gave parents a voice in the public schools’ budget. She also discusses other challenges addressed by Parents United.
Topical
Repository Details
Part of the The People's Archive, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library Repository