Guide to the Dian Kiser collection of National Organization for Women, Salinas chapter files

Finding Aid Authors: Leila Kalliel and Sutro Library staff.

1630 Holloway Avenue

5th floor

San Francisco, CA, 94132-4030

URL: http://www.library.ca.gov/about/sutro_main.html

Email: sutro@library.ca.gov

Phone: 415-469-6100

Guide to the Dian Kiser collection of National Organization for Women, Salinas chapter files 1974/2006

Sutro Library, California State Library

Overview of the Collection

Collection Title: Dian Kiser collection of National Organization for Women, Salinas chapter files

Dates: 1974-2006

Identification: M000013

Physical Description: 0.50

Repository: Sutro Library, California State Library

1630 Holloway Avenue

5th floor

San Francisco, CA, 94132-4030

URL: http://www.library.ca.gov/about/sutro_main.html

Email: sutro@library.ca.gov

Phone: 415-469-6100

Administrative History:

The National Organization for Women (N.O.W.) was founded on June 30, 1966 during the "Third National Conference of Commissions on the Status of Women." It was founded by Betty Friedan and twenty-seven other dissenting women, who were displeased by the proceedings of the original conference. When NOW held the first of its own conferences, the organization had 300 members. During this conference, the structure of the organization was created and Betty Friedan was elected president.

According to N.O.W., the organization concentrates on six priorities: the constitutional equality amendment (ERA), reproductive rights, racism, LGBTQIA+ rights, violence against women, and economic justice. NOW also takes action on causes such as affirmative action, child care, custody and family law issues, disability rights, education equity/title IX, exposing the radical right, global feminism, health and body image, media activism, peace, social security, welfare, and women in the military.

N.O.W. is one of the largest feminist advocacy groups in the United States with over 500,000 members.

The Salinas Valley chapter of NOW had its first meeting in 1974 at the City Hall Rotunda, coordinated by active member and collection donor Dian Kiser. Almost 60 people, including men and women attended this meeting to welcome the feminist movement to Salinas. Despite being one of the smaller chapters of N.O.W., The Salinas Chapter enjoyed moderate levels of membership and activity during the 1970s and 1980s, fuelled by the defeat of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and the controversial election of Ronald Reagan as President in 1980.

The Salinas Valley Chapter's chief accomplishments during its prime period of activity included a successful march to the state capitol (Sacramento) in 1976 to fundraise money for the ERA, a "Take Back the Night" rally in 1991, and the establishment of a women's crisis center and hotline in Salinas in 1976. The Chapter was regularly involved in the community and conducted workshops at Hartwell College, as well as "Consciousness Raising" seminars at Soledad Prison for men incarcerated for domestic violence and sexual misconduct.

Prominent members of the chapter, including Dian Kiser, also spoke at several local debates on feminist issues, some of which are detailed in this collection.

The Salinas Valley N.O.W. Chapter disbanded in 1983 only a decade after its founding, due to prominent members leaving the area to pursue outside work and educational goals. SV NOW is no longer an active or recognized segment of the National Organization for Women at this point in time. The larger parent organization continues to operate at a national level, with chapters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Administrative Information

Processing Information:

Leila Kalliel and Sutro Library staff.

Conditions Governing Use:

Property rights reside with the repository. Any applicable literary rights might reside with the creators of the documents or their heirs. To obtain permission to publish or reproduce, please email sutro@library.ca.gov .

Conditions Governing Access:

The collection is open for research. Please page materials three business days in advance of your visit by email: sutro@library.ca.gov .

Preferred Citation:

[Idenitification of item], Dian Kiser collection of National Organization for Women, Salinas chapter files, M000013, Sutro Library, California State Library, San Francisco, Calif.

Arrangement of Materials:

The papers are arranged as follows: press clippings, personal photographs, publications, and outreach items.

Scope and Contents

This collection consists primarily of newspaper clippings and personal photographs from the Salinas Valley Chapter of the National Organization for Women. There is also a publication, program, and several miscellaneous outreach items.

Box 1

Box 1, Folder 1

Newspaper clippings 1974-1977

Box 1, Folder 1, Item 1

"Women's Lib enters quietly at first Salinas NOW chat" from Salinas Californian 1974 May

Box 1, Folder 1, Item 2

"Women burning shoe leather to boost rights amendment," from Salinas Californian 1976 August 17

Box 1, Folder 1, Item 3

"NOW Members Still Hiking After 200-Mile Trek" from North County News (Castroville, California) 1976 September 8

Box 1, Folder 1, Item 4

"ERA issues debated at Salinas luncheon," from Salinas Californian 1976 November 10

Box 1, Folder 1, Item 5

"Birthday March," from Monterey Peninsula Herald 1977 February 13

Box 1, Folder 1, Item 6

"Rally focuses on empowerment," from Salinas Californian undated

Box 1, Folder 1, Item 7

"Women in March to Capital Seek Support for ERA." undated

Scope and Contents

Unlabelled clipping, undated.

Box 1, Folder 2

"Salinas Valley N.O.W. at Soledad Prison" 1977, 2006

Box 1, Folder 2, Item 1

Soledad Prison 1977

Note:

Item is accompanied by a printed sheet of paper with the following text: "SALINAS VALLEY NOW MEMBERS LEAD CONSCIOUSNESS RAISING GROUPS FOR MEN INCARCERATED FOR RAPE AND OTHER CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN AT SOLEDAD FEDERAL PRISON IN SOLEDAD, CALIFORNIA-1977. Some of these men had been imprisoned in the 1950's and the roles of women changed dramatically during this period. LEFT TO RIGHT SEATED: SANDY ROBERSON MORRIS, MARIE KASSING, LUCY TUTTLE ROBERSON. STANDING: DIAN HUFF KISER AND PAT YURIAR."

Physical Description:

Dimensions: 9 cm x 11.5 cm

Scope and Contents

Black and white photograph of five women sitting at the front of a classroom, teaching. Handwritten on verso, "Soledad Prison, Sandy, Marie, Dian, Lucy."

Box 1, Folder 2, Item 2

Salinas Valley N.O.W. 2006

Scope and Contents

Photograph in color, handwritten on back is "Salinas Valley N.O.W. [Standing] Barbara Beykovsky, Sandy Roberson Morris, Dian Huff Kiser, Vickie Karnes, Marie Kassing. [Seated] Lucy Tuttle Roberson, Sheila Landre, and Nancy Seese."

Box 1, Folder 3

"Where Was Separation of Church and State?" 1981

Creator: Kiser, Dian

Physical Description:

Dimensions: 12 x 9 cm

Scope and Contents

Color photograph of a sign reading "Stop the ERA Now" at the Church of Christ in Enid, Oklahoma.

Box 1, Folder 4

"Assorted Photos from Salinas Valley N.O.W. 1979-1998."

Physical Description: photographs (#1-16)

Scope and Contents

Personal photographs with annotations by Deanna J. Williams and Dian Kiser organized by year.

Box 1, Folder 4, Item 1

1979

Physical Description:

Dimensions: 13 cm x 10.5 cm

Scope and Contents

#1: Photograph in black and white, depicting Dian Kiser [left] and Jan Newlin [right]; handwritten on back is "ERA March at Lake Tahoe, Salinas Valley NOW Members."

Box 1, Folder 4, Item 2

1983

Scope and Contents

#2: Photograph in color, handwritten on back is "SV NOW 1983," 13.5 cm x 9.5 cm. #3: Photograph in color, handwritten on back is "Salinas Valley NOW Meeting and Reunion 1983, L to R [Left to Right] Barbara Beykovsky, Marie Kassing, Margaret McAnaney, Charlotte Sgarlato," 9.5 cm x 10 cm. #4: Photograph in color, handwritten on back is "SV NOW L to R [Left to Right] Margaret McAnaney, Dian Huff Kiser 1983," 9.5 cm x 10 cm. #5: Photograph in color, handwritten on back is "Salinas Valley NOW 1983," 13.5 cm x 9.5 cm.

Box 1, Folder 4, Item 3

1984

Scope and Contents

#6: Photograph in color, handwritten on back is "Salinas Valley NOW Members Margaret McAnaney, Charlotte Sgarlato, 1984."

Box 1, Folder 4, Item 4

1985

Scope and Contents

#7: Photograph in color, handwritten on back is "SV NOW Members Dian Kiser, Margaret McAnaney 1985."

Box 1, Folder 4, Item 5

1986

Scope and Contents

#8: Photograph in color, handwritten on back is "SV NOW 1986 [Left to Right] Charlotte Lytle Sgarlato, Margaret McAnaney, Dian Kiser." #9: Photograph in color, handwritten on back is "Salinas Valley NOW 1986, Charlotte Sgarlatos' home in Salinas, CA. Consciousness raising meeting. Sgarlato was the founder of the battered women's shelter in Salinas."

Box 1, Folder 4, Item 6

1986

Scope and Contents

#10: Photograph in color, handwritten on back "SV NOW 1986," 15.5 cm x 11 cm. #11: Photogaph in color, handwritten on back is "SV NOW 1986, Lucy Tuttle Roberson, Charlotte Lytle Sgarlato," 13.5 cm x 9.5 cm. #12: Photograph in color, handwritten on back is "Salinas Valley NOW 1986," 15.5 cm x 11 cm.

Box 1, Folder 4, Item 7

1998

Scope and Contents

#13: Photograph in color, handwritten on back is "SV NOW 1998 Front Row--Michelle A. Sgarlato with red vest on. Charlotte Sgarlato with black jacket on." #14: Photograph in color, handwritten on back is "SV NOW Reunion 1998."

Box 1, Folder 4, Item 8

1998

Scope and Contents

#15: Photograph in color, handwritten on back is "SV NOW 1998." #16: Photograph in color, handwritten on back is "SV NOW--1998 Carolyn Newsom, Dian Huff Kiser, Charlotte Sgarlato."

Box 1, Folder 5

"Patriarchy is Malarkey" 1982

Physical Description: publication (1 total), 100 pages, illustrated

Physical Description:

Dimensions: 28 cm

Scope and Contents

Contents include one spiral bound book by Sigrid Hawkes and Pat Colognesi, published by Miraprints, 47695 Orchard Drive, Miramonte, CA 93641 in 1982. Book is comprised of essays, poems, and photographs recording N.O.W.'s campaign in Oklahoma and Utah in 1982 to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA).

Box 1, Folder 6

Program for "Business and Professional Women's Club Annual Recognition Dinner" 1979 October 25

Physical Description: program (1 total)

Physical Description:

Dimensions: 14.5 cm x 22 cm

Scope and Contents

One item. Outer slip of program reads, "Celebrate National Business Women's Week, October 21-27 1979." Internal contents include a detailed program for the Business and Professional Women's Club Annual Recognition Dinner on October 25, 1979. Noteworthy Salinas Valley NOW honorees include Dian Kiser, Marie Kassing, Charlotte Sgarlato, and Phyliss Turner.

Box 1, Folder 7

National Organization for Women (N.O.W.) buttons undated

Box 1, Folder 7, Item 1

"Join NOW" [Button #1]

Scope and Contents

White button, displaying message "Join NOW" in pink and yellow font.

Box 1, Folder 7, Item 2

"Inch by Inch Salinas Valley N.O.W." [Button #2]

Scope and Contents

White button, displaying message "Inch by Inch Salinas Valley N.O.W." in green font.

Box 1, Folder 7, Item 3

"NOW National Organization for Women" [Button #3]

Scope and Contents

Blue button, displaying message, "NOW National Organization for Women" in white font.

Box 1, Folder 8

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) buttons undated

Box 1, Folder 8, Item 1

"E.R.A...it's about time!" [Button #4]

Scope and Contents

White button, displaying a drawing of 6 women in all green, together holding a banner labelled "E.R.A." Text below reads "...it's about time!" also in green font.

Box 1, Folder 8, Item 2

"ERA YES" [Button #5]

Scope and Contents

Green button, displaying message, "ERA YES" in white font.

Box 1, Folder 8, Item 3

"Season's Greetings to all..." [Button #6]

Scope and Contents

White button with green and red holiday wreath surrounding the message, "Season's Greeting to all and to all Equal Rights" in green font. The wreath bordering the button ends in a red bow at bottom base of button, containing the text "ERA" also in green font.

Box 1, Folder 8, Item 4

[Abraham Lincoln and ERA] [Button #7]

Scope and Contents

White button, featuring a black line drawing of the Abraham Lincoln statue at the Washington Memorial. Depicts Lincoln, seated, wearing a green "ERA YES" pin.

Box 1, Folder 8, Item 5

"ERA" [Button #8]

Scope and Contents

White, diamond shaped button with blue borders reading "ERA" in blue font.

Box 1, Folder 9

Miscellaneous Political buttons undated

Box 1, Folder 9, Item 1

"Nix on Wars" [Button #9]

Scope and Contents

White button, reading "NIX ON WARS" in red and blue font.

Box 1, Folder 9, Item 2

"UPPITY WOMEN UNITE" [Button #10]

Scope and Contents

Orange button, reading "UPPITY WOMEN UNITE" in black font.

Box 1, Folder 9, Item 3

"NO NUKES" [Button #11]

Scope and Contents

White button, featuring a drawing in green of a pine tree. Writing around image reads, "NO NUKES," also in green.

Box 1, Folder 9, Item 4

"Those who can't find..." [Button #12]

Scope and Contents

Blue button, reading, "Those who can't find anything to live for, always invent something to die for. Then they want the rest of us to die for it, too," in white font.

Box 1, Folder 9, Item 5

[Equality Dove] [Button #13]

Scope and Contents

Blue and white button, featuring a drawing of a white peace dove, with an equal sign [left] alongside the gender symbol for female [right].

Box 1, Folder 9, Item 6

"Unemployed" [Button #14]

Scope and Contents

Button showing a cartoon image of the American Flag. In the middle the word "unemployed" is printed in red font.

Box 1, Folder 9, Item 7

"NEVER AGAIN" [Button #15]

Scope and Contents

Black and red button, with words "NEVER AGAIN" printed in white. Text sits atop a red triangle bordered by black pigment.

Box 1, Folder 9, Item 8

"FAILURE IS IMPOSSIBLE" [Button #16]

Scope and Contents

Beige button, featuring a famous image of feminist Susan B. Anthony's profile in black and white. Text below reads, "FAILURE IS IMPOSSIBLE" in black font.

Box 1, Folder 9, Item 9

"RACISM IS A SOCIAL DISEASE" [Button #17]

Scope and Contents

Beige button, reading "RACISM IS A SOCIAL DISEASE" in dark brown font.

Box 1, Folder 9, Item 10

["Womyn~Loving~Womyn"] [Button #18]

Scope and Contents

White circular button. Bordering text reads, "BALANCEROFLIFETEACHERARTISTWICCAWISEWOMANLESBIANAMAZONMOTHERDAUGHTERSISTERNURTURERHEALERPEACEKEEPER" in very small blue font. Image inside the surrounding text is a cartoon drawing of a tree with two gender signs for female, placed side by side in the center trunk of the tree. A small yellow circle sits atop the tree with small text reading, "Womyn~Loving~Womyn~Loving~Womyn~Loving," along the curve of the circle, also in small blue font.

Box 1, Folder 9, Item 11

"the best MAN..." [Button #19]

Scope and Contents

Red and yellow button, reading "the best MAN for a job may be a WOMAN," in red font.