Betty Marshall Kinser was born on November 15, 1941 in Bloomington, IN. In her youth she was known to be strong-willed and athletic. She married Ronnie Kinser in 1960, graduated from Indiana University in 1962, and began work as a high school teacher in LeRoy. Betty and Ronnie had two children, Brent and Kristine. They were born March 15, 1961, and February 10, 1964, respectively. Betty Kinser returned to school, earning a master’s in arts at Illinois State University in 1975. Two years later, she became a lecturer in the ISU art department. After her retirement from ISU in 2005, she served as a member of the ISU Board of Trustees. She was also involved in Democratic Party politics, supporting state and national figures, including Lane Evans, Barack Obama, and John Edwards.
The collection includes newspaper clippings, photographs, books, and other items, mostly relating to Kinser’s support of Democratic Party candidates / officeholders. There are also folders on Kinser’s appointment to the ISU Board of Trustees, and her Women of Distinction honor in 2006.