Ruth Leverenz Avon Products scrapbook
Creation: 1958-1978 Creation: 1980Abstract
Ruth (Bury) Leverenz (1912-2006) was a top Avon Sales Representative for twenty years, from 1958 to 1978. Avon Products, Inc. is a manufacturer and direct selling company of beauty products. For many years Leverenz was the number one sales representative in her district and won numerous sales campaigns. During Leverenz's time as an Avon Representative, she compiled sixty pages of historical communications from the company into a scrapbook. The collection provides insight into methods of direct selling, the daily work of an Avon representative, and the experience of women in small business.
Dates
- Creation: 1958-1978
- Creation: 1980
Creator
- Leverenz, Ruth (Bury), 1912-2006 (Person)
Extent
1.5 Linear Feet
General Physical Description
1 scrapbook, softcover bound : 61 pages ; 11.5 x 13.5 in. (closed).
Biographical Note
Ruth (Bury) Leverenz (1912-2006) was a top Avon Sales Representative for twenty years, from 1958 to 1978. Avon Products, Inc. is a manufacturer and direct selling company of beauty products. For many years Leverenz was the number one sales representative in her district and won numerous sales campaigns.
Leverenz was born on a farm outside of Wellington, Illinois to Clara Prettyman (1875-1965) and Charles Decker (1873-1930). In 1928, she married Russel Bury (?-1954), a farmer. The couple had four children. In 1963, she married Harry Leverenz (1905-1997), a road commissioner of Wellington Township.
As a young widow she sold her home and farm equipment and moved to Milford, Illinois with her youngest two children. She was working as a cook in a local restaurant when she saw an advertisement looking for Avon sales representatives. In 1958, she began selling in Milford and the surrounding areas in Iroquois County, Illinois. Avon was her sole means of income. According to one of her granddaughters, "Avon changed her life in such a positive way. She was a champion seller and very valuable to Avon. I did not realize at the time that I was watching a very successful business woman."
Scope and Content
During Leverenz's twenty years of service at Avon, she compiled sixty pages of historical communications from the company into a scrapbook. These documents include: Avon Queen Certificates, congratulatory letters from her district manager and officers, invitations, programs, birthday, anniversary and Christmas cards, an Avon representative contract and many ephemeral materials. There are many magazine clippings which show the various sales campaign prizes, many of which she won. There are postcards of the headquarters and some newspaper articles about the Avon company. There are two photographs of Leverenz on her first day and one image of her near her retirement. The collection provides insight into methods of direct selling, the daily work of an Avon representative, and the experience of women in small business.
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for research.
Language of Materials
English
Additional Description
Conservation Note
Many items were laid in to the scrapbook, but not attached. These items have been removed from the scrapbook for preservation purposes. The original locations have been maintained. Materials found laid in are housed in Box 1. The scrapbook is in Box 2.
Finding Aid & Administrative Information
- Title:
- Ruth Leverenz Avon Products scrapbook
- Author:
- Laurie Sather
- Date:
- 2016
- Description rules:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description:
- English
- Script of description:
- Latin
Repository Details
Repository Details
Part of the Audiovisual Collections Repository
