Sharon Byrkett papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSA 320

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains awards, certifications, and honors documenting the life and achievements in social work and disability access and awareness of Sharon Byrkett. Of most prominence is a hand-written manuscript by Byrkett titled "Understanding My Disability" written in 1983. Other materials in the collection include a journal from 1967, photo albums and scrapbooks depicting events from her personal life and conferences attended, and craft items made by Byrkett. Digital files include works created and saved by Byrkett in relation to her advocacy for disability awareness and her own experiences living with muscular dystrophy and fighting breast cancer in her later life.

Dates

1967 - 2010
Majority of material found within 1983 - 2010

Creator

Byrkett, Sharon Arvin, 1946-2009 (Person)

Access Information

Majority of the collection is open for research. One digital folder is restricted for the presence of personal identifying information.

Copyright and Use Information

Copyright held by Purdue University. Consult with Purdue University Archives and Special Collections prior to reproduction of materials.

Biographical Information

Sharon Byrkett was born in Lafayette, Indiana to Clarence and Mary Arvin on May 11, 1946. She was an advocate for disability accessibility who led a crusade at Purdue to improve mobility conditions for the physically handicapped, as she was born with muscular dystrophy. Although she was accepted to attend classes at Purdue, the West Lafayette campus was largely inaccessible to individuals with physical disabilities. Byrkett, along with support of others, was instrumental in bringing about the building modifications that are now a part of Purdue's campus after the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was passed. She eventually transferred to IUPUI where she graduated with a degree in Social Work in 1984. After graduation, she began advocacy work through her employment at the Resource Center for Independent Living and Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana. She also served on the Governor's Council for People with Disabilities and was a delegate to the National Council for People with Disabilities. Byrkett served on the board for the Indiana Association for People in Supported Employment and served as the chair and vice chair for IndyGo's Mobility Advisory Committee. Throughout her lifetime, Sharon received many awards and acknowledgements for her achievements. She passed away in Indianapolis in 2009 at age 63 after battling breast cancer. She was posthumously awarded the 2010 Focus Award from Purdue University in recognition of her outstanding contributions in the area of disability access and diversity.

Extent

2.92 Cubic Feet (Two cubic foot boxes, one letter-size full-width manuscript box, two flat boxes, and one flat folder)

0.652 Gigabytes

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

The Sharon Byrkett papers are arranged into four series.

Personal and Professional Documents
Awards, Certificates, and Honors
Scrapbooks and Photo Albums
Craft Items

Technical Access Information

Born-digital content is found in Series 1, Personal and Professional Documents. These records have been processed and digital use copies can only be accessed in the Purdue Archives and Special Collections reading room. Contact an archivist at least 48 hours in advance if interested in using this material.

Acquisition Information

Materials donated by Gary Byrkett, husband of Sharon Byrkett, in installments on December 3, 2010 and June 3, 2013. One photograph donated by Betty Nelson in 2013, former Dean of Students at Purdue University.

Processing Information

The original order of the materials has been retained whenever possible. All materials have been rehoused in acid-free folders and boxes. Oversized items have been moved to appropriate boxes. Floppy disks and CD-Rs have been imaged and files have been extracted. Some digital files were converted to PDF files in 2017 for access purposes. A small number of art supplies were discarded in 2023 for being outside the collecting scope.