Elizabeth "Betsy" Blee Collection

Collection

Identifier: WV 0538

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection includes papers, correspondence and promotional material from 1960 to 1993; a certificate of appreciation; tickets to Marine Corps Birthday Ball; ID cards; newspaper article; change of command invitation and program; Also includes 13 photographs, photograph album, and 1 copy of photograph. Also includes a 2014 Oral History interview transcript; 1984 dress blue uniform (jacket and skirt), black handbag, white gloves, white short sleeve shirt with red neck tab. Jacket has captain's silver shoulder bars, pistol sharpshooter medal, sea service ribbon; USMC retired ceremonial flag, USMC officer collar devices, box of uniform buttons, box of hat devices, mosquito head net, heat transfers, camouflage patterned cap, belt, canteen, flashlight, uniform labels, poncho, banner, and two USMC swizzle sticks.

Dates

1960-1993
Majority of material found within 1975-1993
Other: Date acquired: 2012 September 21

Creator

Blee, Elizabeth "Betsy" (Elizabeth "Betsy" Summer Blee) (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright is retained by the creators of the items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information. Please see our Sensitive Materials Statement.

Biographical Note

Elizabeth "Betsy" Summer Blee grew up all around the world as a daughter of a military family. Her father was a captain in the United States Navy and her mother was a housewife. Blee attended Saint Mary's College in Raleigh, North Carolina and then the University of North Carolina at Greensboro [UNCG], where she graduated with a degree in Physical Education in 1975.

Blee joined the Marine Corps and reported to Women Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia in June 1975. At Quantico, she received her initial training with the Marine Corps Development and Education Command [former name of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command] and then served as platoon commander for a Woman Officer Class. In 1976 she received r ground supply training at Montford Point, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

From 1976-1979 she was stationed at Camp H.M. Smith in Hawaii. Blee served as the Assistant Battalion Supply Officer then as the Officer in Charge of the Officer's Club and Bachelor Officer Quarters. In 1979, Blee transferred to Makiminato Service Area in Okinawa, Japan where she served as the Battalion Supply Officer. From 1980-1981 she was the station supply officer at the Marine Corps Air Station in El Toro, California.

Blee left active duty in 1981 and joined the Marine Corps Reserves. From 1983-1984 she served as the first woman to command a Marine Corps Reserve F4 Jet Squadron in El Toro, California. Blee retired in 1984 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

From 1980-1985 she attended Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri and earned a masters degree in Business Management. From 1981-2007, Blee worked in sales, training and leadership development at Pfizer, Inc. In 2007 she became a consulting partner with the Ken Blanchard Companies. In 2011, Blee joined Bald Head Island Transportation where she worked as a ferry mate transitioning to relief master. Blee currently resides in Southport, North Carolina.

Extent

6.30 Linear Feet (2 Gray Boxes, 1 Oversized Box, 1 Textile Box, 1 Record Center Box)

Language of Materials

English

Metadata Rights Declarations

License: This record is made available under an Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International Creative Commons license.

Additional Description

Abstract

Elizabeth "Betsy" Summer Blee (b. 1951) served in Ground Supply and as a Mess Officer in the Marine Corps from 1975-1981, and in the Marine Corps Reserves from 1981-1997. Included are her papers, artifacts and pictures from her time in the military, largely focusing on the 1970s.

Arrangement Note

Collection is arranged in 1. Papers; 2. Photographs; 3. Oral History; 4. Publications; 5. Textiles; 6. Artifacts.

Method of Acquisition

Gift of Elizabeth "Betsy" Blee in September of 2012 and added to in May of 2014.

Offensive Language Statement

The UNC Greensboro University Libraries collects, preserves, and makes accessible unique and historical materials for learning and research. The nature of historical materials is such that some material may represent positions, norms, and values that are offensive and objectionable. These materials represent the opinions and actions of their creators. By providing access to these records in our reading room and through our digital collections, we recognize that archives and rare books can play a vital role in holding those creators accountable and in helping us learn from the past.

Our finding aids and other collection descriptions may occasionally re-use language provided by creators or former holders of the materials, but we strive to place outdated or offensive terminology in context. That said, we recognize that we may not always make the right decision and welcome feedback from all sources so we can learn and adjust our practices. Please contact us at scua@uncg.edu if you encounter problematic language in our finding aids or other collection description. We will review the language and, as appropriate, update it in a way that balances preservation of the original context with our ongoing commitment to describing materials with respectful and inclusive language.