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Title: Charlene Simms Collection on Olibama Lopez Tushar, 1976-2022

Creator: Charlene Garcia Simms

Extent: 11.0 Folders

Arrangement: Arrangement of the collection is by topic.

Date Acquired: 10/11/2023

This collection consists of various newspaper articles detailing the accolades, awards, publications, and autobiography of Olibama Lopez Tushar, as well as a funeral card, writings by and about Olibama Lopez Tushar, event booklets, and photos. Also included is the second and fourth editions of the book entitled "The People of El Valle: A History of the Spanish Settlers in the San Luis Valley" by Olibama Lopez Tushar.

Charlene Garcia Simms is a teacher-librarian from the San Luis Valley, specifically from the village of Garcia on the Colorado-New Mexico state line. She and her late husband, Ed, established El Escritorio Publishing in 1989, producing 15 books and magazines focusing on Southwest history, genealogy, Hispano culture, and Chicano art. Charlene is an author and poet, with various publications on genealogy and Southwest history. She contributed to an anthology called "Genealogy and the Librarian" and co-authored "Images of America, Pueblo." She edited and facilitated the publication of "Spanish/Mexican Legacy of Latinos in Pueblo County" and was involved in commissioning a mural, "Corazon del Pueblo," at the Rawlings Library in Pueblo.

In addition to her literary work, Charlene authored a memoir titled "The Orphan Stalk" and has written poems about her Manito Culture and identity. In 2019, Charlene was inducted as a Corn Mother, a project led by Renee Fajardo from Metro State University of Denver.

Access Restrictions: There are no access restrictions on this collection.

Use Restrictions: Not all of the material in the collection is in the public domain. Researchers are responsible for addressing copyright issues.

Acquisition Source: Charlene Garcia Simms

Acquisition Method: The following material was acquired via donation.

Preferred Citation: Charlene Simms Collection on Olibama Lopez Tushar, Colorado State University-Pueblo Library, University Archives and Special Collections