Scope and arrangement
The SDiane Adamz-Bogus papers date from 1946 to 2002 (bulk dates 1980s-1990s), and document her personal life, and her work as a writer, educator, and new age healer. The collection consists of appointment books, audio visual recordings, correspondence, journals, photographs, scrapbooks, teaching files, watercolor paintings, files for the Woman in Moon publishing company, and writing files.
The audio visual materials relate to Adamz-Bogus's readings, speaking engagements, interviews, and classes. The recordings are unavailable pending preservation transfer.
Correspondence are comprised of incoming and outgoing letters arranged alphabetically by name or subject, and a few by date. There are personal letters and cards from family members; and professional letters about writing, including an exchange with Audre Lorde about offering literary support and solidarity within the lesbian and feminist community.
The journals document Adamz-Bogus's daily activities, aspirations, goals, and reflections on various experiences. Some of her thoughts and observations on literature and the world in general are incorporated, but not necessarily many drafts of her writing. Early 1960s entries show Adamz-Bogus grappling with her sexuality; and throughout many of the journals she shares intimate moments, obstacles, and triumphs from different relationships. The journals also trace her self discovery, faith, and spiritual explorations.
The Miami University files contain materials related to Adamz-Bogus's doctoral dissertation on Ann Allen Shockley, a black lesbian writer. These files include notes, research materials, photocopies of Shockley's work, exchanges with publishers about chapter excerpts; and correspondence between Adamz-Bogus and Shockley about their personal lives, writing, and literature from 1976 to 1999.
The photograph albums are organized and labeled by theme, and portray many aspects of Adamz-Bogus's life; such as her childhood in "Family Ties: Bloodlines and Bonds;" her relationships to various women in "Lovers and Flirtations Over the Years;" and her classrooms and students in "The Fun They Had." The scrapbooks are similarly categorized, including "The Poet & the Literati & Artists," which is made up of flyers, clippings, and press releases from her readings and events.
Teaching files hold course outlines, correspondence with school administrators and students; and The Studenthood Reader and other new age educational materials. Papers written by Adamz-Bogus such as "Lessons in Truth: Teaching Ourselves and Our Students Wright's Native Son" further demonstrate her philosophy as an educator. There are also grievance packets and letters from her faculty appointment at DeAnza College. These materials recount Adamz-Bogus's conflict with Dean Enrique Riveros-Schafer and the administration over the books used in her courses, her application for another position within the institution, denial of merit awards, and a retirement settlement.
The series of watercolor paintings were created by Adamz-Bogus during the 1980s, and unicorns are frequently depicted throughout them, especially in the graphic "Adventures in Paradise" sketchbook.
The Woman in the Moon publishing files feature correspondence with writers, book outlines, administrative and financial records, and a few drafts of the publications. Works covered in these files include, The Kwanzaa Handbook: A Guide for African-American Celebrants (1995) edited by Muata Weusi-Puryear; The Book of Lives (1993) by Sherrilyn Posey; and Laughter of the Witch and Other Known Poems (1995) by Red Jordan Arobateau.
The writing files hold Adamz-Bogus's poetry notebooks from high school, course papers; and unpublished drafts of fiction and essays, including "The Reign of Consequence," "Oya's Totem," and "Buddhism in the Classroom: An Educational Gestalt." There is a manuscript for Bear Stories 2000 for Adult Children, and, Possibly, Their Children by Miss Honey Pot Bear (1999). Manuscripts from her other published works are not present in the collection.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged alphabetically by category.