League of Women Voters, San Jose/Santa Clara Chapter Records
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
San José State University
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0028
(408) 808-2062
special.collections@sjsu.edu
URL:http://library.sjsu.edu/sjsu-special-collections/sjsu-special-collections-and-archves
Title: League of Women Voters, San Jose/Santa Clara Chapter Records
Identifier/Call Number: MSS.2006.09.01
Contributing Institution:
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
5.25 Linear feet,
10 Boxes
Date (bulk): Bulk, 1969-1990
Date (inclusive): 1945-2011
Abstract: The League of Women Voters, San Jose/Santa Clara Chapter Records, 1945-2011 consist of administrative records, political studies
and action materials, which include subject specific legislation, government records, voter and election data and reports,
as well as convention and meeting records from other chapters and the National organization. The records in this collection
date from 1945-2011, with the bulk dating from 1969-1990.
Physical location: This collection is located in Vault 1, Range 20A, Bays 20-22
General Physical Description note:
8 cartons, 1 oversized box
creator:
League of Women Voters (U.S.)
Access
The collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Copyright has been assigned to the San Jose State University Library Special Collections & Archives. All requests for permission
to publish or quote manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Copyright restrictions
also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of digital files from or derived from these collections
is restricted to research and educational purposes.
Preferred Citation
League of Women Voters, San Jose/Santa Clara chapter Records, MSS-2006-09-01, San Jose State University Library Special Collections
and Archives.
Acquisition Information
Donated to the San Jose State University library by Bobby Fischler, one of the chapter Presidents in September 2006.
Processing History
Ead Encoded in November 06, 2007, by Veronica Cabrera.
Organizational History
The League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara Chapter (LWVSJSC) was established in 1945 in San Jose, and became known
as the League of Women Voters of Central Santa Clara Valley. The original chapter was founded in the same year of the twenty-fifth
anniversary of the foundation of the national organization. The chapter soon expanded beyond San Jose and became known as
the League of Women Voters of Central Santa Clara Valley, which included San Jose, Santa Clara, Cupertino, and Sunnyvale.
In 1973 the chapter split, which led to the formation of the LWVSJSC and the Cupertino/Sunnyvale chapter. The LWVSJSC is one
of five local League Chapters in Santa Clara County, that include Curpertino/Sunnyvale, Los Altos-Mountain View, Southwest
Valley, and Palo Alto. The LWVSJSC is affiliated with the LWV of Santa Clara County, the LWV of the Bay Area, the LWV of California,
and the LWV of the U.S.
The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan political organization devoted to voter education and advocacy, and actively
encourages active participation of citizens in government. The LWV is committed to voter service/citizen education and to
action and advocacy. The goal of this non-partisan organization is to empower citizens to shape strong communities worldwide.
Through political study and action, the members offer solutions on key community issues and all levels of government, promote
citizen participation in the democratic process, and encourage community action in promoting public policy issues through
education and advocacy. As a non-partisan group, the LWV does not endorse or oppose specific political candidates or parties,
but does take action on specific issues of public interest.
The LWVSJSC determines the study programs based on a consensus from the membership. Most of the issues intersect with the
goals of the broader goals of the region, state, and national. The study programs from the 1960s and 1970s focused on international
relations and issues related to federal governance in Congress and the Executive Branch. In the 1980s the study issues reflected
the broader regional interests in transportation, regional planning, land-use, and environmental protection. They also had
a keen interest in education, childcare, family planning, juvenile justice, and many other civil rights issues.
Bibliography and Cited References
League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara website. http://sjsc.ca.lwvnet.org/index.html.
League of Women Voters - National website. http://www.lwv.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home.
Young, Louise M. 1989.
In the public interest: the League of Women Voters, 1920-1970. New York: Greenwood Press.
Scope and Content
The League of Women Voters, San Jose/Santa Clara Chapter (LWVSJSC) records, 1945-2011 consist of administrative records, political
studies and action materials, which include subject specific legislation, government records, voter and election data and
reports, as well as convention and meeting records from other chapters and the National LWV. The Administrative Records include
minute records, committee files, financial reports, membership records, and publicity as well as public relations files. The
Political Studies and Action files cover broad subject areas such as education, employment opportunity, housing, criminal
justice, environmental protection, and transportation. The scope of the collection is focused on the local chapter, but includes
some materials from other chapters, together with the League of Women Voters-Bay Area and the National League.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into five series: I. Administrative Files, 1951-2002; II. Actions, Studies, & Legislation 1956-2002;
III. Other League Organizations, 1946-2002; IV. Scrapbook and Ephemera, 1945-2006;Series V: Additional Materials, 1980-2011.
Related Material
Guide to the League of Women Voters of the Bay Area Records at the Bancroft Library in Berkeley. http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt6s2021tq.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
California--Politics and government.
Club--California--San Francisco Bay Area.
League of Women Voters (U.S.)
Political activists--California
Women political activists--California--Berkeley.
Women political activists--California--San Francisco Bay Area.
Women--California--San Jose--History 20th century.
Women--California--San Jose--Societies and clubs.
Series I : Administrative Files
1951-2002
Physical Description
1 Box
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series documents the administrative history of the organization from 1951-2002. It includes the meeting minutes from
the Board of Directors, committee files, correspondence, financial and legal records, chapter meeting minutes, membership
handbooks and lists, as well as publicity and outreach records. The Board of Director and chapter minute records document
the governance process of the organization and outline the structure of the committee system, as well as general correspondence
and communication with the National League. The financial and legal records include treasurer reports, grant applications,
and some documentation on the by-laws and the chapter division records from 1967-1972. The Publicity and Outreach files include
general program and events, fund-raising correspondence and voter outreach through various media sources. The LWVSJSC chapter
has worked hard to promote civic responsibility through educational programming and careful study of the actions of importance
to the community, but due to the fluid nature of the organization and the lack of a permanent office, the official records
have been collected and maintained by individual members. Thus, the records documenting formation of the chapter is scattered.
The bulk of this series documents the history of the organization from the 1960s through 2000.
Arrangement
This series is arranged alphabetically according to subject or administrative function, and within each subject or function,
materials are arranged in chronological order.
Folder 1: Board Job Descriptions
1989-1992
Folder 2: Handbook and Training Documents
1969-1990
Folder 3-11:Meetings Information-Minutes
1979-1994
Folder 13: Officer Listings
1973-1995
Folder 14-15:"Program Tools" for Program Chair
1981-1992
Folder 16: Public Relations Chair
1974
Folder 17-20:Committee Files
1965-2002
Folder 21:Correspondence
May 1975-June 1975
Folder 22:With the LWVUS
December 1987-January 1988
Folder 23-26: Financial Information
1972-2001
Folder 31-36:Membership
1962-1999
Folder 37-40: Organizational Papers
1965-1991
Folder 41: Presidential Materials
1976-1984
Foldr 42-53:Publicity and Public Relations
1966-2000
Series II: Actions, Studies and Legislations
1956-2002
Physical Description
5 Boxes
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series consists of action files, political studies, legislation related to a number of ballot measures, election reform,
and voter information. As a non-partisan organization, one of the primary roles of the LWV is to provide unbiased information
about elections, voting process, and issues. In keeping with the long-term goals of the League, the LWVSJSC studies the political
issues of concern in the community, and after reaching membership consensus, they will endorse specific positions based on
the public interest. The action and studies files are arranged hierarchically by National, State, and Local. The issues studied
represent the diversity of the LWV study program and illustrate the interconnections between the local, regional, state, and
national organization. The National records focus on federal government reform, international relations, and national security.
The state records document concerns from abortion, agriculture, childcare, education, election reform, transportation, water
quality, and issues specific to state governance. The local records document many of the same topics, and like many other
California Leagues, the LWVSJSC studied regional planning and initiated studies on natural resources, environmental pollution,
regional planning, and transportation. This series also includes documentation on the 1988 election year, state ballot measures
from 1982-1988, and legislative documents.
Arrangement
This series is arranged alphabetically by organizational hierarchy and by subject, and then chronologically.
Folder 2-32: Actions, Positions and Studies-National
1962-1999
Folder 33-48: Actions, Positions and Studies-State
1962-1999
Folder 49-84:Actions, Positions and Studies-State
1962-1999
Folder 85-125: Actions, Positions & Studies-Local
1960-1999
Folder 126-157: Actions, Positions & Studies-Local
1960-1999
Folder 158-160: Election Files
1984-1988
Folder 161-163: Legislative Interviews & Related Documents
1977-1991
Folder 164-167: Voter Information
1979-2000
Folder 168: General cica 1990s
Folder 169: Grassroots.net circa 2000s
Folder 170: ABAG Draft Resolution-Regional Assistance to Preserve Open Space
1972
Folder 171: Air Quality Report
1996
Folder 172: Natural Resources-General
1971-1980,1992
Folder 173: Oak Grove District
1981-1982
Folder 174-175: San Francisco Bay Plan & Supplement
1969
Folder 176: Solar Energy
1979-1989
Series III: Other League Organizations
1946-2002
Physical Description
1 Box
Series Scope and Content Summary
The contents in this series includes related and administrative documents collected by the LWV-SJ/SC from related and parent
organizations such as the League of Women Voters – Santa Clara County, the League of Women Voters Bay Area, the League of
Women Voters, California, and the League of Women Voters United States. Records include the select administrative files from
the National League, including documentation on the education fund from 1971-1990, member and publication records. The bulk
of this series contains select administrative files from the California League and regional chapters, which include correspondence,
bylaws, organization records, action items and publicity. Also included are items from non-league organizations.
Arrangement
This series is arranged by level of league and hierarchically within each level. Materials will be arranged by type of record.
Folder 1-9 : League of Women Voters--United States
1946-2002
Folder 1: Administrative Files
1946
Folder 2: Convention-Art of Negotiation
undated
Folder 3-4 :Education Fund
1971-1990
Folder 5: Membership
1995-1996
Folder 6: Membership Publications
2001-2002
Folder 7-9: Publications
1971-2000
Folder 10-14 :League of Women Voters-California
1972-2005
Folder 10: Meetings-Convention in San Jose
1981
Folder 11:Organizational Papers-Program & Action Information
1981-1993,2005
Folder 12: Project Collaboration
circa 2000
Folder 13: Publications
1968 1980-2000
Folder14: Publications-California Government
1972 1977 1995
Folder 15-19: League of Women Voters-Bay Area
Bulk, 1970-2001
1970-2007
Folder 10: Correspondence
1970-1972
Folder 16: Organizational Papers
1986,2005-2007
Folder 17: Programs
1963,1970-1972
Folder 18: Publications
1973-2001
Folder 19: Reports and Memoranda
1970-1974,1986-2002
Folder 20-47: League of Women Voters-Santa Clara County
1968-2006
Folder 20: Meetings and Minutes
1983-2002
Folder 21: Memoranda
1988
Folder 22: Organizational Papers
1968-1969 1977-1987, 2003
Folder 23: 75th Birthday of LWV
1995
Folder 24: League Recognition
2002
Folder 25:-29: Forums
1995-2006
Folder 30: Educators Conference
Folder 31: Speaker's Bureau
1988
Folder 32-39: Actions, Consensus, Studies
1982-2002
Folder 40: Initiatives
1999-2005
Folder 42: Meeting the Challenge
2005
Folder 43: Commitee Papers
1990-2001
Folder 44: Correspondence and Communications
1992-2003
Folder 45: Membership Lists
1982-2004
Folder 46: Evergreen CC Student Body Election
2004
Folder 47: SCC League Agreements and Policies
Folder 47-48 : Other Leagues
1970-1990
Folder 47: Miscellaneous Documents
1989
Folder 48: Publications
1970 1990
Folder 49: Non League Organizations
1971-1976, 1998
Series IV: Scrapbook and Ephemera
1945-2006
Physical Description
1 Box
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series consists of the chapter scrapbook, which dates from 1945-2006 and a handful of awards and certificates. The scrapbook
provides a historical overview of chapter's activities and includes news clippings and some photographs.
Arrangement
This series is arranged alphabetically by subject.
Folder 1-6: Awards and Certificates
1945-2006
Folder 1: LWV Scrapbook-San Jose/Santa Clara Chapter
1945-2006
Folder 2: Proclamation for Declaration of League of Women Voters Week
February 1985
Folder 3: Certificate from the LWVC for "Outstanding Membership Growth"
April 30, 1989
Folder 4: Congressional Record "Tribute to the League of Women's Voters" from Anna Eshoo
March 09, 1995
Folder 5:Certificate of Commendation from LWVUS-44th National convention for Membership Growth
June 2000
Folder 6: Plaque Indicating Membership in the San Jose Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
undated
Series V: Additional Materials
1980-2011
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description
1 Box
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series consists of later additions to League of Women Voters, San Jose/Santa Clara Chapter Records Collection by the
League of Women Voters in early November 2011. The later additions include recent administrative material including financial
records, meeting minutes, program reports, and presidential materials such as letters and emails. In addition the series also
includes recent digital newsletters, the latest LWVSJSC ethics study of 2003-2004, action reports and letters 1980-2005 as
well as publicity materials on events recently sponsored by the League of Women Voters.
Arrangement
This series is arranged by subject matter.
Folder 1:Action Reports and Letters
1980-2005
Folder 2: Administrative Material
2010-2011
Folder 3: Digital Newsletters
2009-2011
Folder 4 : Governmental Ethics Study
2003-2004
Folder 5: Publicity Materials
2010-2011
