Born as Sarah Belknap Sherwood, Belle Hawkes was appointed to the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. East Persia Mission in 1883. In 1884, she married the Reverend James W. Hawkes, also of the East Persia Mission. Stationed in Hamadān for 36 years, she ministered to the needs of Armenian, Jewish, and Muslim women and children. Her home became a center of missionary service and hospitality to the flow of travelers between Tehran and Baghdad. She died in service in 1919. The collection consists primarily of Belle Hawkes' outgoing correspondence addressed to her family during her years in Hamadān, and her diaries. It also contains photographs of the East Persia missionaries, including Belle herself. View the collection guide to learn more.
Featured image: Belle Hawkes on her pet horse.