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Nancy Fahden Collection
1993.47, 1993.60
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Title: Nancy Fahden Collection
Dates: 1982-1993
Collection Number: 1993.47, 1993.60
Creator/Collector:
Fahden, Nancy
Extent: 30 boxes
Repository:
Contra Costa County Historical Society
Martinez, California 94553
Abstract: The collection includes correspondence, reports, memoranda and meeting agendas on a wide variety of issues including redevelopment
of the Concord Naval Weapons Station, closing of public hospitals, mental illness and homelessness, fire department staffing,
reports of abuse of overtime by County employees, traffic safety, and many local building and development issues. The collection
also includes correspondence regarding Fahden’s personal interests and her political campaigns.
Language of Material: English
Collection is open for research.
Contact the Contra Costa County Historical Society for publication permission.
[Identification of item]. Nancy Fahden Collection. Collection Number: 1993.47, 1993.60. Contra Costa County Historical Society
Biography/Administrative History
In 1976 Nancy Cardinalli Fahden entered the race for Board of Supervisors when the candidate she was supporting had to drop
out of the race and suggested that she run in his place. She did so and became the first woman to be elected to the Contra
Costa County Board of Supervisors, winning 65 percent of the vote in her first-ever venture into politics. She served four
terms (16 years), ending in 1992. She was active in controlling refinery pollution, opposed the controversial proposed Marsh
Canyon landfill site near Mount Diablo in favor of the Keller Canyon site in Pittsburg, and opposed the proposed annexation
of the Franklin Canyon area by the City of Hercules. During her tenure, the waterfront in Martinez became a park thanks in
part to her efforts and advocacy. She organized the first public clean-up of the waterfront, where her father had worked
as a fisherman when she was a child. Ultimately the waterfront became a park under the management of the East Bay Regional
Park District. Fahden retired from the Board of Supervisors and public service in 1992. She died in 2015 at age 92.
Scope and Content of Collection
26 boxes. See finding aid for details.
Government, Board of Supervisors
Government, correspondece
Campaign material
East Bay Regional Parks District
Keller Landfill
Concord Naval Weapons Station
newspapers
video tapes
audio cassette tapes