Guide to the Michelle Collins papers
Brynna Graham and Christopher Rockwell
California State University, Sacramento Donald & Beverly Gerth Special Collections and University Archives
University Library
2000 State University Drive
Sacramento, CA 95819-6039
Business Number: 916-278-6144
Fax Number: 916-278-4887
lib-scua@csus.edu
Contributing Institution:
California State University, Sacramento Donald & Beverly Gerth Special Collections and University Archives
Title: Collins (Michelle) papers
Identifier/Call Number: MSS 2013/49
Physical Description:
3.75 Linear Feet
(3 record cartons)
Date (inclusive): 1975-1987
Date (bulk): 1976-1985
Abstract: Contains Sacramento NOW Political Action files, FOCUS Feminist Saturday morning lecture series, KOVR files regarding women's
issues, and subject files regarding ratification of the ERA after its extension. Materials are in English. 1975-1987
Language of Material:
English
.
Custodial History
Documentation was accumulated by Michelle Collins and subsequently donated to the University Library in 2014.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item including date], [Folder Title], MSS 2013/49, Michelle Collins papers, Donald & Beverly Gerth Special
Collections & University Archives, California State University, Sacramento.
Access Information
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 the Donald & Beverly Gerth Special Collections
& University Archives. Permission for publication is given on the behalf of the Donald & Beverly Gerth Special Collections
& University Archives, 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.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research. Some restrictions may apply.
Biographical / Historical
Michelle Collins was a member of the National Organization of Women (NOW), Sacramento Chapter. Her activities with the organization
included:
Chair, Equal Rights/Political Action Task Force, 1983-84
Vice President of Administration, 1984-85
State Delegate, 1985-86
Vice President of Administration, 1986
Related Materials
This collection compliments the papers of other feminists of significance, Sally Wagner and Shireen Miles. The
Sally Roesch Wagner papers (MSS 2000/31) include Ms. Wagner's work with feminist issues during the 1980s, which is the same time period that this collection
addresses. This collection is augmented by the
Shireen Miles papers (MSS 2013/50), which include Sacramento NOW Political Action files and other feminist-related information from the late 1970s
and early 1980s.
Scope and Contents
These papers contain materials collected by Michelle Collins relating to NOW (National Organization for Women) and the ERA
(Equal Rights Amendment). Materials include documents, pamphlets, articles, subject files, and artifacts. The papers consists
of 3 cartons (3.75 linear feet). Materials are in English. 1975-1987
There are 5 main series petaining to the Michelle Collins papers. Included are the following: Series 1 National Organization
for Women (NOW) Administrative Papers; Series 2 Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) Papers (includes subseries 1 ERA & Post-ERA,
subseries 2 Anti-ERA, and subseries 3 ERA Mobilization & Outreach); Series 3 Focus - Feminist Lecture Series; Series 4 Subject
Files (inlcudes subseries 1 Sex Discrimination & Women's Issues, and subseries 2 Women's History); and Series 5 Artifacts.
Processing Information
Collection processed and Finding Aid produced by Brynna Graham and Christopher Rockwell.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Women's Movement
Series 1. National Organization for Women (NOW) Administrative Papers
1976- 1987
1977-1983
Scope and Contents
This series contains various NOW administrative papers for candidate endorsements, including several candidate questionnaire
sheets that outline candidates' positions on various matters that NOW deemed important. Donation and membership forms for
NOW, and papers on the voter registration project are also included. This series also has meeting minutes and notes from PAC
and other meetings, budget and expense papers, and papers on possible advertisements. All materials are in English and are
arranged alphabetically.
box 1, folder 1
1983 Local Elections Endorsement Questionaires
1983
box 1, folder 2
Ad Campaign Michelle
[1982]
box 1, folder 3
Colleges L-Z 1949-1966
[1979-83]
box 1, folder 4
Endorsement Procedures
[1976, 1979-80]
box 1, folder 5
Endorsement Procedure
[1980, 1982-83]
box 1, folder 7
Leg. Office Committee
[1985]
box 1, folder 8
[NOW Award templates]
[n.d.]
box 1, folder 9
NOW Questionnaire (Endorsement)
[1978, 1981-82]
box 1, folder 10
NOW Voter Reg. Project 1984
[1983-85]
box 1, folder 12
PATF (Old Business)
[1984-85]
box 1, folder 14
V.P. Admin. 1984 SACTO NOW
[1983-84]
box 1, folder 15
? [Miscellaneous Administration Papers]
[1987]
Series 2. Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) Papers
1976-1984
1981-1984
Subseries 1. ERA & Post-ERA
1976- 1984
1981-1982
Scope and Contents
This subseries includes ERA pamphlets and literature, newspaper articles and cartoons about the ERA, and several copies of
the complete text of the ERA. There are also papers on the ERA task force run by Sacramento NOW and various updates/newsletters
on the ERA. Correspondence regarding the ERA is also included, as well as papers on the post-ERA era. All materials are in
English and are arranged alphabetically.
box 1, folder 16
Correspondence ERA 1981-2
1981-82
box 1, folder 20
ERA Countdown Campaign
1981
box 1, folder 21
ERA Donesbury Cartoon
[1981]
box 1, folder 22
ERA Easter's Rotten Eggs
[1977-81]
box 1, folder 25
[ERA Literature]
[1976-84]
box 1, folder 27
[ERA Miscellaneous]
[1979-83]
box 1, folder 28
ERA Misc. Notes
[1981-82]
box 1, folder 29
[ERA Name and Address Listing]
[1982]
box 1, folder 30
ERA Newsletter 1981-2
1981-82
box 1, folder 31
ERA News column 1976+
[1976-80]
box 1, folder 33
[ERA YES pamphlets]
[n.d.]
box 1, folder 36
ERA: Press Release 1981
[October 1, 1981]
box 1, folder 37
ERA Q+A
[January 27, 1982]
box 2, folder 3
ERA Work Party
[1979-1981]
box 2, folder 4
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT *ERA
[1977]
box 2, folder 5
[Expenses and Funds]
[n.d.]
box 2, folder 7
Info: Federal ERA
[1980-82]
box e, folder 8
Miscellaneous Pamphlets
[1977-79]
box 2, folder 9
Newspaper Art. ERA 1981-82
1981-82
box 2, folder 10
Newspaper Articles ERA- 1983
[1982]
Subseries 2. Anti-ERA
1976-1981
Scope and Contents
This subseries consists of anti-ERA newspaper articles, newsletters, and literature. Many of the articles describe how women
will be drafted into military service and forced to work outside the home. A newsletter regarding Phyllis Schlafly is included,
along with a pro-family newsletter and membership application. There are lists of organizations that are proponents and opponents
of the ERA. There are papers on the Mormon Church, whose official stance was anti-ERA. Letters to vote for the only anti-ERA
candidate, Larry Pratt, are also included. All materials are in English and are arranged alphabetically.
box 2, folder 16
Anti-ERA Literature
[1976-1980]
box 2, folder 17
ERA Proponent + Opponent
[n.d.]
box 2, folder 18
Newspaper Articles on Mormon Activ.
[1979-80]
Subseries 3. ERA Mobilization & Outreach
1976-1984
1981-1984
Scope and Contents
This subseries includes contact info for various civil rights organizations, along with material for the ERA phone bank, including
sample scripts. There are ERA work party and ERA Walk a thon flyers, as well as papers on the ERA mobilization project and
fundraisers. Also included are NOW donation and supporter sign up cards for the ERA, an ERA National Outreach Kit, and papers
on an ERA ad. All materials are in English and are arranged alphabetically.
box 2, folder 19
Civil Rights DIRECTORY 1981
1981
box 2, folder 20
Economic Sanctions Subcommittee
[1977-78]
box 2, folder 23
[ERA Donation Cards and Handouts]
[n.d.]
box 2, folder 24
ERA Fundraise
[1976,1983]
box 2, folder 27
ERA Mobilization Project
[n.d.]
box 2, folder 29
[ERA Supporter/Sign up Cards]
[n.d.]
box 2, folder 30
ERA Task Force Info
[1983-84]
box 2, folder 31
ERA WALK A THON
[1982-84]
box 2, folder 32
ERA Work Party Flier
[n.d.]
box 2, folder 33
Equal Rights Amendment National Outreach Campaign Kit
[n.d.]
Series 3. Focus- Feminist Lecture Series
1977-1986
1979-1981
Scope and Contents
This series contains pamphlets on the Focus Saturday morning feminist lecture series put on by Sacramento NOW, which includes
lectures from prominent women such as Pat Bond and Z Budapest. Lectures were held at Sacramento State's campus and done on
a variety of feminist topics including women's health, witchcraft/goddess religion, and feminist art. Some of the proceeds
from the Focus lecture series benefitted Sacramento NOW's ERA task force in their fight to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment.
Information and correspondence from various Focus speakers is also included. Budget and expense reports on the Focus lecture
series, as well as papers on Focus ERA fundraisers are included. All materials are in English and are arranged alphabetically.
box 2, folder 35
Bond, Pat Focus Lecture
[1979-81]
box 3, folder 1
FOCUS 1981 ERA Fundraiser
1981
box 3, folder 2
FOCUS 1981 Mailing
[1980-86]
box 3, folder 3
Focus Expense/Profit 1979
[1979-81]
box 3, folder 4
Focus Lecture Series 1979-83
[1978-86]
box 3, folder 5
Focus-Speaker Info. 1978
[1978-79]
box 3, folder 6
Focus Speaker Info.
[1977-80]
box 3, folder 7
Z BUDAPEST (FOCUS)
[1981]
Series 4. Subject Files
1975-1985
1983
Subseries 1. Sex Discrimination & Women's Issues
1975-1985
1983
Scope and Contents
This subseries includes newspaper articles and papers about sex discrimination in car and medical insurance, including breakdowns
of the differences in how much men and women pay. There is also information on women and poverty, as well as a doctoral paper
on sex discrimination. Correspondence regarding AB 1, a bill that was introduced to prohibit discrimination in employment
based on sexual orientation, is also included. There are papers on various topics including pregnancy, abortion, sex education,
lesbian issues, divorce, women and professional jobs, childcare, pornography, and prostitution. All materials are in English
and are arranged alphabetically.
box 3, folder 9
Equal Rights Amendment Project
[1975]
box 3, folder 10
Feminist Issues-misc
[1984-85]
box 3, folder 11
Feminization of Poverty
[1983]
box 3, folder 16
Michelle Collins
[1982-83]
box 3, folder 17
N.O.W. Legislative Conference Economic Equity
[January 23, 1983]
box 3, folder 18
Sex Discrim. + Supreme Court Doctoral Paper
[September 2, 1978]
box 3, folder 19
WOMEN: GEN. INFO
[1982-84]
Subseries 2. Women's History
[n.d.]
Scope and Contents
This subseries includes papers with information on prominent feminists Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Alice Paul,
and Sojourner Truth. It also includes an essay on other notable historical women who were involved with women's rights. All
materials are in English and are arranged alphabetically.
Series 5. Artifacts
1977, 1981-1982
Scope and Contents
There are two white cassette tapes that were possible radio spots, which have the text of the Equal Rights Amendment on them.
There is also a 45 record that has the song Ballad of the ERA by Kristen Lems recorded on it. There is a film reel and slides
regarding a TV ad for KCRA on the ERA. A green mug with a message about free women is included. All materials are in English
and are not arranged in any particular order.
box 3
[Ballad of the ERA 45 record]
1977
box 3
[Green NOW t-shirt]
[n.d.]
box 3
TV Ad KCRA Text of the Equal Rights Amendment [Film]
1982
box 3
Possible Radio Spots Text of the Equal Rights Amendment [cassette tape]
1981
box 3
[unlabeled white cassette tape]
[n.d.]