Series IV. COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT, 1967-2004 (#205.5-234.2, FD.3, F+D.1-F+D.3, OD.2-OD.3, SD.1, PD.20sl-PD.30, T-147.173 - T-147.208, Vt-256.2 - Vt-256.15, DVD-062.1, MP-6.1)
Scope and Contents
Series IV, COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT, 1967-2004 (#205.5-234.2, FD.3, F+D.1-F+D.3, OD.2-OD.3, SD.1, PD.20sl-PD.30, T-147.173 - T-147.208, Vt-256.2 - Vt-256.15, DVD-062.1, MP-6.1), includes draft and published advertisements; clippings; department work plans; correspondence; press strategies and contact lists; press packets and releases; press tour and press conference files; mailers, flyers, and brochures; audio and video recordings; speeches; publications; photographs; bumper stickers and other promotional objects; etc. Much of this series documents the communications department's effort to track positive and negative changes in attitudes and legislation about reproductive rights on both the state and national level, as well as to document the activity and public image of NARAL. Through press conferences, press releases, fact sheets, and publications, the department informed the public about threats to women's reproductive rights in the form of legislation, political candidates running for office, nominations of candidates for higher court appointments, etc., and NARAL's efforts to protect those rights for all women. Efforts of note include the Silent No More! (1985) campaign which enlisted the aid of women across the country who appeared at national press conferences, rallies, etc., to share their personal stories and experiences with abortion (both positive and negative) in order to engender support for pro-choice legislation (see also Series III, Subseries C); and the media activist program which trained women at state affiliate organizations and college campuses to monitor local press for pro-choice and anti-abortion sentiment, issue press releases and schedule press conferences, and provide local media with articles and inform them of local activities, among other charges. Additional material was added to this series in September 2014. These materials are housed in #T-147.05 - T-147.08, Vt-256.6 - Vt-256.15, DVD-062.1. All other files remain in the same order. Folders are listed in intellectual, not numerical, order. The series is arranged alphabetically.
Dates
- Creation: 1967-2004
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1975-1990
Language of Materials
Materials in English.
Access Restrictions:
Access. The bulk of the collection is open to research.
The following folders require written permission as noted below: 7.1-9.4, 18.8-19.1, 54.2, 56.5-56.6, 57.4, 58.7-59.1, 59.6-59.7, 60.4, 62.9-63.6, 67.5-68.8, 69.3, 69.8, 69.10, 70.5, 70.8, 71.3, 72.10, 75.1-75.2, 76.8, 76.10, 76.12-77.8, 78.7-78.9, 81.7-81.8, 81.10, 82.4, 83.3, 83.8-83.10, 84.2, 84.13-85.1, 85.9, 86.15, 86.17-87.2, 88.4-88.5, 88.9, 88.11, 88.13, 88.14-91.1, 91.3-91.4, 91.6-95.3, 95.5-95.7, 114.12-114.13, 115.6-116.8, 117.7-118.9, 119.5-121.2, 122.4-124.2, 125.5-126.2, 126.9-127.4, 128.3-129.3, 129.9-129.10, 130.3, 131.3-131.9, 132.5-133.2, 134.9, 135.5-135.10, 135.13, 136-7-137.7, 139.4-140.1, 141.2-143.3, 145.1-146.1, 146.9-147.8, 148.6-148.11, 148.13, 148.15-148.16, 149.4-149.9, 150.3-150.4, 150.9-151.7, 152.3-154.2, 155.2-156.4, 158.1-159.2, 159.5-159.7, 160.6-162.1, 162.9-163.5, 163.9, 164.6, 164.8-164.9, 165.2-166.2, 167.1-169.1, 169.3-169.6, 170.1-170.4, 170.11-173., 174.5-176.5, 177.7-178.7, 179.4-180.5, 180.10-180.11 and audiotapes T-147.52 – T-147.90.
Access to the folders above are restricted to past and present officers of NARAL Pro-Choice America, Board members, and Executive Directors, and to those researchers who have the written permission of the Executive Committee until the expiration of their respective restriction periods: Board records, Executive Committee records, Executive Director's records, Legal case records and related correspondence, and confidential advice from government officials are restricted for 30 years from date of creation; Financial records are restricted for 10 years from date of creation.
The following folders are closed as noted below: 23.7-26.2, 33.2, 33.7, 34.5, 36.3-36.9, 40.9, 46.8, 46.13-47.21, 49.7, 54.6, 62.5, 65.6, 65.8, 66.2, 72.7, 76.3, 76.9, 76.11, 80.8-81.4, 88.10, 88.12, 88.14, 91.5, 104.10, 111.13, 124.7, 129.4, 134.4, 230.4-230.5, 241.3-241.4 and audiotape T-147.197.
Access to the folders above are closed to all without exception for 50 years from date of creation: Nominating Committee records; any record or letter that is potentially embarrassing or damaging to the creator, recipient, or subject. Personnel records are closed for 50 years from date of separation of employee to all but past and present officers of NARAL Pro-Choice America, Board members, and Executive Directors, and the employee to which they refer. Contributor's lists, mailing lists, and membership lists are closed for 50 years from date of creation to all but past and present officers of NARAL Pro-Choice America, Board members, and Executive Directors.
An appointment is necessary to use any audiovisual material.
Extent
105.71 linear feet ((253 + 1/2 file boxes) plus 3 folio folders, 6 folio+ folders, 4 oversize folders, 1 supersize folders, 28 photograph folders, 99 slides, 210 audiotapes, 15 videotapes, 1 DVD, 1 motion picture, 1 object, and electronic records.)Physical Location
Collection stored off site: researchers must request access 36 hours before use.
Creator
- From the Collection: National Abortion Rights Action League (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.