Finding aid to the Los Angeles Committee to Free Sharon Kowalski records, 1984-1991 Coll2014-048
Loni Shibuyama
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
© 2014, 2017
909 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90007
askone@usc.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Title: Los Angeles Committee to Free Sharon Kowalski records
creator:
Weathers, Carolyn, 1940-
Identifier/Call Number: Coll2014-048
Physical Description:
0.4 Linear Feet
1 box.
Date (inclusive): 1984-1991
Abstract: Correspondence, newsletters, clippings, press releases, fliers, court records, notes, typescripts and other material from
the Los Angeles Committee to Free Sharon Kowalski, 1984-1991. In 1983, Sharon Kowalski suffered severe brain injuries in a
car accident, which left her physically disabled. Kowalski's father, Donald, was initially named Sharon's guardian and cut
off visitation from Sharon's longtime partner, Karen Thompson. The materials document the campaign by lesbian activists to
raise awareness of the legal battle and lesbian rights; and to raise funds to support Karen Thompson's legal efforts to reestablish
visitation rights and be named Sharon Kowalski's guardian.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged alphabetically.
Biographical / Historical
In 1983, Sharon Kowalski suffered severe brain injuries in a car accident, which left her physically disabled. Kowalski's
father, Donald, and her longtime partner Karen Thompson both petitioned to be named Sharon's guardian. Guardianship was granted
to Kowalski's father, who cut off visitation from Thompson. Thompson subsequently began a legal battle to reestablish visitation
rights and be named Sharon's guardian. In 1991, the Minnesota Court of Appeals granted guardianship to Thompson.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the ONE Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives at USC Libraries as the owner of the physical
items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Carolyn Weathers, June 20, 2012.
Preferred Citation
[Box/folder #, or item name] Los Angeles Committee to Free Sharon Kowalski Records, Coll2014-048, ONE National Gay and Lesbian
Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California.
Processing Information
The materials in this collection were originally part of the Carolyn Weathers Photographs and Papers (Coll2014-008). In 2017,
upon request of the donor, the materials were separated from the Weathers collection to become its own Los Angeles Committee
to Free Sharon Kowalski Records (Coll2014-048). Collection was originally processed by Kyle Morgan with assistance from volunteers,
2014.
Scope and Contents
The collection comprises correspondence, newsletters, clippings, press releases, fliers, court records, notes, typescripts
and other material from the Los Angeles Committee to Free Sharon Kowalski, 1984-1991. The materials document the campaign
by lesbian activists to raise awareness of gay and lesbian rights; and to raise funds to support Karen Thompson's legal efforts
to reestablish visitation rights and be named Sharon Kowalski's guardian.
Separated Materials
Separated to the ONE library
Thompson, Karen, and Julie Andrzejewski. Why Can't Sharon Kowalski Come Home? San Francisco: Spinsters/Aunt Lute Book Company,
1988. (inscribed to Carolyn Weathers and Jenny Wrenn)
Separated to the ONE Archives poster collection
National Free Sharon Kowalski Day, Sunday, August 7, 1988, Minnesota.
Separated to the ONE Archives button collection
"Bring Sharon Home / D.C. Lesbian Committee to Free Sharon Kowalski. Round, black text on white, red, and yellow background.
"Free Sharon Kowalski." Round, white text on purple background.
Separated to the ONE Archives T-shirt collection
"Bring Sharon Home" next to a stick figure in a wheelchair. White text and purple figure on a black background.
Separated to the ONE audiovisual collection (regarding the Free Sharon Kowalski movement)
Clothespin Fever and Lambda Delta Lambda event at Pat Shanahan and Joyce Nordquist's house, April 29, 1988. (audiocassette)
Karen Thompson on West 57th Street, March 4, 1989. (VHS, DVD)
Los Angeles Central Library, Gay and Lesbian Authors, June 6, 1991. (VHS, DVD)
Lifestyle Update, Coast-to-Coast, show #58. (VHS)
Lifetime Commitment: A Portrait of Karen Thompson. (VHS, 33 minutes)
National Organization for Women Second Conference on Lesbian Rights, San Diego, October 8-10, 1988. (3 audiocassettes)
Other Finding Aids
Carolyn Weathers Photographs and Papers, Coll2014-008, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern
California.
Clothespin Fever Press Records, Coll2013-092, ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern
California.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Lesbian activists
Lesbian couples
Lesbian rights
Lesbians -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- United States -- Cases
Kowalski, Sharon
Thompson, Karen,, 1947-
Free Sharon Kowalski records
1984-1991
Box 1, Folder 1-3
Committee to Free Sharon Kowalski
1988-1991
Box 1, Folder 5-7
Contacts and committees
1988
Box 1, Folder 8
Court proceedings and testimonies
1984-1988
Box 1, Folder 9-11
Free Sharon Kowalski Day
1988
Box 1, Folder 14
National Lesbian Rights Conference
1988
Box 1, Folder 12
Karen Thompson itinerary, resume, and photographs for a Lambda Delta Lambda and Clothespin Fever Press event
1988
Box 1, Folder 18
West 57th Street television program
1989
Box 1
Rubber stamp of "The L.A. Committee to Free Sharon Kowalski"
circa 1988-1989
