Collection # M 0612 OMB 0105 BV 2662-66 BV 3649-50 R 2432-2439 DVD 0128-0177 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF INDIANA RECORDS, 1908–2004 Collection Information Historical Sketch Scope and Content Note Series Contents Cataloging Information Processed by: Ellen Swain 4 June 1992 Reprocessed by: Emily Comstock 29 June 2006 Updated by: Monica Casanova and Tyler Nowell, Spring, 2008; Mary Osborne, Fall 2008 Wilma L. Moore, Supervisor Manuscript and Visual Collections Department William Henry Smith Memorial Library Indiana Historical Society 450 West Ohio Street Indianapolis, IN 46202-3269 www.indianahistory.org COLLECTION INFORMATION VOLUME OF Manuscript Materials: 120 document cases, 4 oversize manuscript boxes, 4 COLLECTION: oversized manuscripts, and 7 bound volumes Visual Materials: 4 photograph boxes, 50 DVDs, Artifacts: 26 artifacts COLLECTION 1908–2004 DATES: PROVENANCE: League of Women Voters of Indiana RESTRICTIONS: None COPYRIGHT: Held by Indiana Historical Society REPRODUCTION Permission to reproduce or publish material in this collection must be RIGHTS: obtained from the Indiana Historical Society. ALTERNATE None FORMATS: RELATED League of Women Voters of Indianapolis (M 0611); Woman's Franchise HOLDINGS: League of Indiana (SC 1761) ACCESSION 1992.0308; 2001.0487; 2004.0086; 2005.0336 NUMBER: NOTES: A portion of the collection formerly held by the Indiana State Library. Transferred to the Indiana Historical Society, March 23, 1992. HISTORICAL SKETCH The League of Women Voters was formed from the National American Woman Suffrage Association in 1920 after women won the right to vote. The same year, the Indiana League affiliate was organized from the Woman's Franchise League of Indiana. Mrs. Richard Edwards of Peru, Indiana, former president of the Woman's Franchise League, an organization formed in 1911 from the Woman's School League, and newly appointed national League treasurer, was instrumental in promoting the new organization in the state. A.H. Beardsley of Elkhart became the Indiana League's first president. From its beginning, the League focused on championing woman and child rights by supporting such legislation as the Sheppard-Towner Act (1923) which established funds for education in maternal and child hygiene, the Child Labor Amendment (1924), and the Civil Service Reclassification Act (1923). During World War II, the League dedicated itself to choosing the best senators and representatives at the national elections to promote wise legislation. Its anti-isolationist stand after the War upheld the principle of international cooperation for establishment of world institutions for maintenance of law and order. The Indiana LWV has been active on several issues. These concerns include the Bricker Amendment, proposed in the early 1950s to limit the Federal government's treaty–making powers; civil rights; conservation; foreign policy; health care; home rule; active government; merit system for employment; reapportionment; status of women; taxation; child welfare; and world trade. Much of the organization’s work is conducted through local leagues. These associations, affiliated with the state and national leagues are at the township, city, or county level. Topics and issues of concern include the national budget, home rule, foreign policy, local government, school reorganization, voter service, the United Nations, and world trade. Through the years the Indiana League of Women Voters has worked to protect voting rights and has provided information on government operations, public issues, and election procedures and candidates. Its purpose, as outlined in its 1961 bylaws, is to "promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government." Although a nonpartisan organization, the League “may take action on state governmental measures and policies in the public interest in conformity with the principles of the League of Women Voters of the United States.” The League remains an active civic organization. Sources: Material in the collection Greenough, Katherine Croan, History of the League of Women Voters of Indiana, 1920–1952. Indianapolis: League of Women Voters of Indiana, 1977. Pumroy, Eric and Paul Brockman, A Guide to Manuscript Collections of the Indiana Historical Society and Indiana State Library. Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society, 1986. SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE The collection, filling 120 manuscript boxes, spans the years 1908–2004. It is arranged by subject into ten series: Woman's Franchise League of Indiana; Indiana League of Women Voters; Indiana League of Women Voters Study and Action Issues; Organizations; Topical Issues; State League Publications and Printed Materials; Local League of Women Voters (Indiana townships, cities, and counties); League of Women Voters of the United States; and Photographs. Series I (Boxes 1 and 2) Woman's Franchise League of Indiana: material includes organizational minutes, 1912–1920; correspondence and papers, 1911–1920; finance reports, 1914–1919; convention material, 1912–1920; and programs, directories, and articles, 1915–1920; and speeches and addresses, 1908–1920. Also included are membership lists, 1915–1918; pamphlets and broadsides, 1912–1918; and proceedings of the first conference of League of Women Voters, 1920. National American Woman Suffrage Association newspaper proofs (1917) are contained in OMB 0105, Folder 2. Series II (Boxes 3–20) Indiana League of Women Voters: State League general materials are contained within this series. It includes a history, by-laws and a constitution, correspondence, 1920–1989, n.d., and minutes, 1920–1972; state council information; the state League's annual business meeting and state meeting records; state treasurer's monthly reports; financial records; and an outline of the organization's business proceedings. State program material; election material; voter registration material; and handbooks provide information about Indiana politics and government. Series III (Boxes 21–68) Indiana League of Women Voters Study and Action Issues: A substantial portion of the collection outlines the various concerns and projects of the organization. The LWV was interested in several causes. This series is arranged by four very broad categories of study and action issues: crime and delinquency, education, government, and social welfare. Each category was sub-divided into many parts. Crime and delinquency includes bills and acts, prisons and the penal system, and courts and the judicial system. Education examines trends and issues; publications; and schools–reorganization, taxes, and finances. Government includes the Indiana General Assembly, legislation, constitution, political parties, voter service, local government issues, and civil service. Social and Economic Welfare is comprised of child labor; Family Service Association of Indianapolis records; Public Welfare materials; poor relief; and marriage laws. Series IV: (Boxes 69-70) Organizations: This series contains information about specific organizations, alphabetically arranged. Some are very well known and others are obscure. They include the Governor’s Youth Council, 1959; Indiana Committee for Victory, 1945; Indianapolis Urban League, 1973–1978; John Birch Society; and the Traders Point Hunt Club. Series V: (Boxes 71-77) Topical Issues : The Indiana League and its members collected ephemera materials and clippings on numerous subjects including civil rights, conservation, Wayne Guthrie, health care, international relations, and religion, etc. These materials supported its mission. Series VI (Boxes 78-85) State League Publications and Printed Materials : The Indiana League of Women Voters collected and published several pertinent publications including the Indiana Legislative Guide, Indiana Voters Handbook, and Indiana Woman Voter. This series also includes Legislative Letters and Legislative Link. Boxes 83 through 85 contain news clippings dated from 1920 to 1989 and undated. Series VII (Boxes 86-96) Local Leagues of Women Voters: Local leagues include those from the various townships, cities, and counties of Indiana. All are affiliated with the state and national League of Women Voters. Budgets, 1958–1960; financial reports, 1959–1962; and organizational reports, 1932–1942 are contained. Local league reports from individual leagues, 1935–1971; brochures and pamphlets, 1930–1962; newsletters, handbooks, and publications, 1930–1966 are also included. Series VIII (Boxes 97-110) The League of Women Voters of the United States: Series includes by-law revisions, histories, information about the national council, convention, programs, and publications. More specifically, the national League materials include by-laws, 1940–1963; national council reports, 1939–1959; financial papers, 1934–1961; as well as national convention material, 1921–1964; national programs, 1920– 1966, and various publications including the National Voter, 1951–1972. Issues and projects of the time period, as reflected by the collection materials, parallel those of the Indiana League. Series IX (Boxes 111- 120) The League Post-1990: This series includes more recent materials about the league after 1990. Series X Photographs: This series contains photographs and postcards pertaining to various subjects. Several of the folders relate to the League of Women Voters of Indiana, local leagues, and some of the national league meetings. There are also materials that pertain to individuals. SERIES CONTENTS Series 1: Woman’s Franchise League of Indiana CONTENTS CONTAINER Woman’s Franchise