Iowa Women's Archives
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City, Iowa

 

NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR WOMEN, AMES

RECORDS, 1973-1986
7 linear inches

 

Iowa Women's Archives
100 Main Library
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City, Iowa 52242

Phone: 319-335-5068
Fax: 319-335-5900
E-mail the Iowa Women's Archives

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Collection Overview

Acquisition:	The records (donor no. 311) were donated by Kathleen Hickok in 1995.
Access:	The records are open for research.
Copyright:	Copyright held by the donor has been transferred to The University of Iowa.
Processed by:	Margaret Richardson, 1996. [NOWAmes.doc]

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History

On May 13, 1973 application for a charter for the Ames National Organization for Women (NOW) was submitted to NOW headquarters in Washington, D.C. A news release dated May 19, 1980 announced a "reorganized" Ames chapter. On September 13, 1980 the state coordinator of NOW granted formal chartering of the Ames chapter. The charter states as its purpose "to take action to bring women into full participation in the mainstream of American society now, exercising all privileges and responsibilities thereof in truly equal partnership with men."

Although working for passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was its main activity, the chapter also promoted educational projects throughout Ames and worked closely with the state NOW organization.

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Scope and Content Note

The Ames NOW records date from 1973 to 1986 and measure 7 linear inches. The records are arranged in three series: Administrative, Political activities, and NOW chapters. These records focus on the campaign for the ERA which culminated in defeat at the polls on November 4, 1980.

The Administrative series (1973-1986) contains chapter by-laws, chapter evaluation, minutes, membership and treasury records.

The Political activities series (1976-1986) contains chapter newsletters (through several title changes), materials from the ERA campaign, and educational projects. Projects included public meetings dealing with assertiveness training, equal employment opportunities, consciousness raising, women's health and reproductive rights, rape crisis and prevention, day care, pornography and censorship.

NOW chapters series (1977-1986) include records from Johnson County-Iowa City, Des Moines, and state of Iowa.

Box 1

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For more information about this collection contact the Iowa Women's Archives.

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Last updated June 8, 2004.