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League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara Chapter Records
MSS-2006-09-01
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Title: League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara Chapter Records
Identifier/Call Number: MSS-2006-09-01
Physical Description:
15 boxes
(16.58 linear feet)
Date (inclusive): 1945-2016
Abstract: The League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara Chapter Records consists 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 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.
League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara Chapter Records, MSS-2006-09-01, San Jose State University Library, Special
Collections & Archives.
This collection is arranged into five series: I. Administrative Files; II. Other League Organizations; III. Scrapbook and
Ephemera; IV: A/V Materials; and V. Actions, Studies, and Legislations.
The League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara Chapter (LWVSJSC) records consists 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.
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.
The collection is open for research.
Ead Encoded in November 06, 2007, by Veronica Cabrera. Additional accrual rehousing completed, and finding aid updated, by
Rita Wang, December 2016. Accruals added and finding aid updated by Kate Steffens, November 2019 and by Elena Castaneda, November
2021.
Donated to the San Jose State University library by Bobby Fischler, one of the chapter Presidents in September 2006.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
League of Women Voters (U.S.)
Women political activists -- San Francisco Bay Area (Calif.)
Women -- California -- San Jose -- Societies and clubs.
Women -- Political activity -- Santa Clara County