Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- Kennedy (Karen) papers
- Dates:
- 1939-1995, 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.
- Extent:
- 8.75 Linear Feet (7 record cartons)
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
-
[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.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
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).
- Biographical / historical:
-
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.
- Processing information:
-
Processed and Finding Aid by Morgan Braun and Christopher Rockwell.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
- Subjects:
- Women's studies.
Feminism
Sociology.
Socialism.
About this collection guide
- Date Encoded:
- This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2022-01-13 09:27:36 -0800 .
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Collection is open for research. Some restrictions may apply.
- Terms of access:
-
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.
- Preferred citation:
-
[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.
- Location of this collection:
-
University Library, MS 60396000 J StreetSacramento, CA 95819, US
- Contact:
- 916-278-6144