Edward and Jo Ann Sears of West Palm Beach, Fla., recently made a multi-year pledge to the NMSU Library for the acquisition and preservation of collections in Women’s Studies. The gift honors his aunt Caroline E. Stras who was the granddaughter of A.B. Fall of El Paso. Stras lived with the Falls while she was growing up. She went on to become one of the first female banking officers in El Paso.

The endowment enables the Library to build both its archival materials and its current circulating collections supporting studies related to women. This collection will further support the Women’s Studies program at NMSU.

The Library will recognize their generous gift and officially reopen the archive’s research room, now named the Caroline E. Stras Research Room, during Homecoming Friday, Oct. 19, from 4 to 6 p.m.

The event will combine elements regarding Caroline Stras’ life and career, her family and her grandfather Albert B. Fall, as well as a photo and clothing exhibit depicting the life and times of Stras and the A.B. Fall family.