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National Organization for Women (NOW), San Diego Chapter Records

 Collection
Identifier: MS-0045

Scope and Contents

The collection documents the activities and operations of the San Diego County Chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW). The majority of materials date from the 1970s and early 1980s with a focus on important chapter issues including: abortion, equal employment opportunities; education; legal protection against domestic violence; and representation of women in the media and politics. It includes correspondence, minutes of meetings of the Board of Directors, reports, financial records, membership lists, legal documents, newspaper clippings, and newsletters. The collection is divided into four series: Administration, President's Correspondence, Issues and Topics, and Membership and Financial Records. This last series is restricted.

Dates

  • Creation: 1964-1984

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The copyright interests in some or all of these materials have not been transferred to San Diego State University. Copyright resides with the creator(s) of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. The nature of archival collections is such that multiple creators are often applicable and copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine. In any case, the user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, obtaining publication rights and copyright infringement. When requesting images from Special Collections & University Archives for publication, we require a signed agreement waiving San Diego State University of any liability in the event of a copyright violation.

Historical Note

The National Organization for Women (NOW), San Diego Chapter, was formed in 1970 to lobby for the enforcement of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and works toward the elimination of discrimination against women in job and educational opportunities. During the 1970s and 1980s, San Diego NOW fought for reproductive rights, displaced homemaker rights, legal protection against domestic violence, representation of women in the media and politics and many other issues. The chapter organized many events and workshops, including the Susan B. Anthony Awards.

Parts of the collection were donated by Joan T. Casale. Casale, who joined the SD Chapter in 1973 to fight for the ERA, employment, and education rights. From 1973 to 1975, she served as the editor of the SD NOW Newsletter. In 1976, she served as executive vice president of the chapter. In 1977 and 1978, she served as president of the chapter. Under her leadership, NOW continued to fight for reproductive health and abortion rights, employment, education and other equality issues. She fought Catholic Bishop Leo T. Maher’s excommunication of NOW members from the Catholic Church for publicly supporting freedom of choice on abortion. (Casale was raised Catholic, and attended Catholic schools in Pennsylvania, but resigned from the church in 1967.) Casale also authored two one-act plays on women's history on women's suffrage and labor respectively.

Extent

26.98 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement Note

I. Administration

   1. National

   2. Western, Southwestern, and West Coast

   3. California

   4. San Diego County

II. President's Correspondence

III. Issues and Topics

   1. Affirmative Action

   2. Abortion

   3. Business

   4. Children and Family

   5. Discrimination

   6. Education

   7. Employment

   8. Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

   9. Fundraising

   10. Health

   11. Status of Women

   12. Homosexuality

   13. Rape

   14. Military

   15. Media

   16. Religion

   17. Minority Women

   18. Male Beauty Pageants

   19. Sexuality

   20. Legal Matters and the Justice System

   21. Conferences

   22. Miscellaneous

   23. Task Forces and Committees

   24. Coalitions and Groups

   25. Periodicals

   26. Publications

IV. Membership and Financial Records

Source of Acquisition

San Diego County NOW; Joan T. Casale

Accruals and Additions

1977-014, 1991-020, 2017-032, 2022

Related Materials

Older Women's League Records

Title
National Organization for Women (NOW), San Diego Chapter Records
Status
Completed
Date
12/03/2007
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
eng
Edition statement
Revised in 2023.

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections & University Archives Repository

Contact:
5500 Campanile Dr. MC 8050
San Diego CA 92182-8050 US
619-594-6791