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Kennedy (Karen) Papers
FAC 2006/21
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Contributing Institution:
California State University, Sacramento Donald & Beverly Gerth Special Collections and University Archives
Title: Kennedy (Karen) papers
Identifier/Call Number: FAC 2006/21
Physical Description:
8.75 Linear Feet
(7 record cartons)
Date (inclusive): 1939-1995
Date (bulk): 1960-1980
Abstract: Contains files pertaining to Karen Kennedy's time as first a student, and later a professor at California State University,
Sacramento. A majority of the collection focuses on the subjects she taught in women's studies. Files include personal notebooks,
course syllabi, publications, and audio recordings.
Language of Material:
English
.
Collection of archival material from Karen Kennedy's career at California State University, Sacramento (CSUS). The collection
focuses on her time as first a sociology student, and then later as a professor in the Women's Studies program. Collection
consists of 8.75 linear feet (7 record cartons) of personal papers, notebooks, publications, subject files, and audio/visual
material. Kennedy was an avid activist, and her collection reflects her dedication to women's issues, socialism, and global
politics.
Found within the collection are Bibliographies (Series 1) that contain references to literature used by Kennedy in her student
and teaching capacity. More bibliographies may be found in the Subject Files (Series 3), which were preserved as they were
curated by Kennedy. Other materials within the Subject Files include clippings, publications, ephemera, and some correspondence.
Materials directly related to her time as a student (1963-1970) and teacher (1970-1975) at CSUS can be found in Personal Files
(Series 2). The series contains personal notebooks, assignments, and course syllabi. While her Bachelor's degree was in Sociology,
there are limited materials relating to art and history, in which Kennedy minored. Her teaching files reflect the early years
of the CSUS Women's Studies program, with several files relating to courses on Women and Health/care, Art, and Music.
Pamphlets (Series 4) contain materials produced during the 1970s. The pamphlets within the collection contain marginalia and
personal notes filed between the pages. The pamphlet subjects include topics like women's liberation, feminism, politics,
and healthcare. Similarly, a bulk of the Publications (Series 5) contain marginalia and notes. The publications include incomplete
runs of various titles, like the New University Conference (N.U.C.) Newsletter, and published work like The Uses of the University
and The Academic Marketplace. Other subjects in the series includes women's liberation and feminism, socialism, racial injustice,
and global politics. Newspapers (Series 6) contain similar subjects. The newspapers within the series include clippings and
incomplete runs of titles like Union W.A.G.E.. Other materials, such as ephemera/posters, calendars, and directories can be
found in Other/Artifacts (Series 7). Cassette tapes and reels of radio broadcasts, music, and lectures are found in Audio/Visual
(Series 8).
Collection is open for research. Some restrictions may apply.
Copyright is protected by the copyright law, Chapter 17 of the U.S. Code. Requests for permission to publish, quote, or reproduce
from collections must be submitted in writing to the Head of the Department of Special Collections and University Archives.
Permission for publication is given on the behalf of the Department of Special Collections and University Archives, The Library,
California State University, Sacramento as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include permission of the
copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.
[Identification of item including date], [Folder Title], MSS 2006/21, Karen Kennedy Papers, Donald and Beverly Gerth Special
Collections and University Archives, California State University, Sacramento.
Karen Ann Kennedy (1945-2006) lived a life devoted to activism. She was a fifth generation Californian, tracing her roots
to the Gold Rush country and Sacramento. She lived predominantly in Sacramento, excluding 8 years she lived in Los Angeles
at the height of post-WWII sprawl. She moved around the Sacramento area frequently due to her parents' job in flipping houses.
She attended California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) in the 1960s and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology,
with minors in Art and Art History. During her time as a student, she dedicated herself to activism and advocacy. She participated
in the protests during the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War and was strictly against racism on campus and in the community.
She was also heavily involved in the feminist and women's liberation movement. Following her graduation, she worked at CSUS
for five years, 1970-1975, as a professor in the Women's Studies program. She taught courses about women and the arts and
music, and women and healthcare. After working at CSUS she worked for the state of California for 20 years, while also working
with community-based organizations and participating in what she called "Neighborhood Activism." She was vocal about proposed
work plans and bills that affected residential areas in Sacramento. She eventually retired and opened an antique shop in Sacramento.
She died in 2006.
Sally Roesch Wagner Papers (MSS 2000/31)
Shireen Miles Papers (MSS 2013/50)
Michelle Collins Papers (MSS 2013/49)
Ellen Rosser Smith Papers (MSS 1986/03)
Processed and Finding Aid by Morgan Braun and Christopher Rockwell.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Women's studies.
Feminism
Sociology.
Socialism.