Wilma Belcourt Papers

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: OGLMC-780

Scope and Contents

The Wilma Belcourt Papers consist primarily of scrapbooks kept by Belcourt concerning two issues: 1.) The Ten Commandments case involving the posting of such in all public educational institutions in the state of North Dakota, and 2.) the restoration of Butte St. Paul near Bottineau, North Dakota in memory of Father George A. Belcourt. The scrapbooks contain correspondence, news clippings, photographs and other materials dating from approximately 1968 to 1983. An autobiographical sketch is also included.

Dates

created: 1968-1983
Other: Date acquired: 09/14/1982

Creator

Belcourt, Wilma (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.

Biographical or Historical Information

Wilma Elaine (Derr) Belcourt was born on November 16, 1917, in Eckman, North Dakota. In 1938, she graduated from high school in Lansford, North Dakota. In 1939, she married Rudolph Belcourt, a relative of Father George A. Belcourt, a well-known Red River Valley missionary. She led the battle to place a copy of the Ten Commandments in all public schools in North Dakota, and also helped make the singing of the National Anthem a priority in those same schools. She also was instrumental in the creation of a park in memory of Father George Belcourt. Wilma Belcourt died in Grand Forks on September 24, 2009.

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