Series XXXVI. ERA: ELEANOR SMEAL FILES
Scope and Contents
Series XXXVI, ERA: ELEANOR SMEAL FILES, 1972-1982 (#138.1-140.49, 185.1-185.27), contains correspondence, memos, notes, mailings, clippings, etc. Although most of these notes and other materials were not created by ES, they were originally labeled as such, and so remain together. Folders are arranged alphabetically by subject.
Smeal's June 17, 1981 appearance on television's Phil Donahue Show to discuss the ERA generated hundreds of letters in response. The letters are organized in numerical order, with numbers assigned by NOW, and written on each letter; they are not in chronological or alphabetical order. Several numbers are missing. At the front of the collection is a folder of letters that were not given a number. The first folder (#185.1) contains an incomplete tally sheet that lists the number of "pro", "con," and "no opinion" letters; there are more letters than the 1102 sited in the count. Letters counted as "con" are not always against ERA, but rather against specific concepts like abortion rights that the writer believes are supported by ERA. The majority of letters are from women between the ages of 30-70 in the Southern United States (although all 50 states are represented). Most are from homemakers and mothers both married and divorced who are concerned with spousal rights for Social Security and retirement pensions. Many of the writers did not understand the specific rights that would be protected by ERA. Their letters address their personal situations, like rights of women who are ex-spouses of military men and women in the workforce.
Dates
- Creation: 1959-2002
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1966-1998
Language of Materials
Materials in English.
TERMS OF USE
Access. The majority of the collection is unrestricted.
Access to folders #103.3-103.4 requires the written permission of NOW until January 1, 2017. Access to folders #67.13 and 87.58 requires the written permission of NOW until January 1, 2018. Access to folders #67.8-67.9 requires the written permission of NOW until January 1, 2019. Access to folder #108.36 requires written permission of NOW until January 1, 2020.
Grievance files and financial records are closed for 50 years. Certain confidential records are closed to all research use for specified periods; included are individual documents access to which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
Time limits for closure of NOW Foundation records (Series XXII, #88.1-88.11) will be determined by mutual agreement between NOW and the Schlesinger Library at a future date; the finding aid notes that such records are closed pending negotiations.
As of December 2015, written permission of the National Organization for Women is required only for documents 20 years old or less.
Extent
206.27 linear feet ((185 cartons, 23 file boxes, 8 half file boxes, 14 file card boxes, 3 folio+ boxes) plus 10 folio folders, 5 folio+ folders, 3 oversize folders, 1 supersize folder, 136 photograph folders, 2 folio photograph folders, slides, 9 reels microfilm (M-152), and electronic records)Creator
- From the Collection: National Organization for Women (Organization)
Repository Details
Part of the Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute Repository
The preeminent research library on the history of women in the United States, the Schlesinger Library documents women's lives from the past and present for the future. In addition to its traditional strengths in the history of feminisms, women’s health, and women’s activism, the Schlesinger collections document the intersectional workings of race and ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and class in American history.