Guide to the National Organization for Women, San José/South Bay Chapter Records
MSS.2008.03.02
Trista Raezer, 2008. Updated by Natalie Sanchez, March 2016.
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
2008
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
San José State University
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0028
special.collections@sjsu.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Title: National Organization for Women, San José/South Bay Chapter Records
Identifier/Call Number: MSS.2008.03.02
Physical Description:
4 boxes
3.33 linear feet
Date (inclusive): 1971-2007
Abstract: This collection consists of administrative files, correspondence, publicity, outreach, publications, reports and photographs
of the San Jose/South Bay chapters of the National Organization for Women. It is arranged into two series: Administrative
Files, 1971-2007; and Outreach and Publicity, 1971-2005.
Access
The collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Copyright has been assigned to the San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives. All requests for permission
to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Permission for publication
is given on behalf of the San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives 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 by the reader.
Preferred Citation
National Organization for Women, San José/South Bay Chapter Records, MSS-2008-03-02, San José State University Library Special
Collections & Archives.
Acquisition Information
Donated to the San Jose State University library by the National Organization for Women, San José/South Bay Chapter in March
2008.
Organizational History
The National Organization for Women (NOW) was founded on June 30, 1966 during the "Third National Conference of Commissions
on the Status of Women." It was founded by Betty Friedan and twenty seven other women. The organization swelled to 300 members
by October 26, 1966, when NOW held its first conference, where the statement of purpose was adopted. During this conference
the structure of the organization was created and Betty Friedan was elected president.
The Statement of Purpose declares, "The purpose of NOW is to take action to bring women into full participation in the mainstream
of American society now, exercising all the privileges and responsibilities thereof in truly equal partnership with men."
According to NOW, the organization concentrates on seven priorities: constitutional equality amendment, reproductive rights,
racism, lesbian rights, violence against women, and economic justice. NOW also takes on such causes as affirmative action,
child care, custody and family law issues, disability rights, education equity/title IX, exposing the radical right, global
feminism, health and body image, media activism, peace, social security, welfare, and women in the military. NOW is also active
in lobbying, educating the public and media, organizing rallies and protests, registering voters, and recruiting new feminists.
NOW is currently the largest feminist advocacy group in the United States.
The South Bay Chapter of the National Organization for Women was founded in 1970. Due to the large area that this Chapter
covered, transportation to meetings and events became time consuming and expensive. Thus, the San José Chapter was founded
in 1972 to cater to women in that area. Seven other chapters in Santa Clara County started during this time as well. In 1978
the South Bay Chapter disbanded, and their members were absorbed by the San José Chapter, thence forming the San José/South
Bay Chapter (SJ/SB).
The SJ/SB Chapter enjoyed high levels of memberships and activities during the 1970s and 1980s, due to events such as the
defeated Equal Rights Amendment and election of Ronald Reagan as president. Other events at this time included the "Alice
Doesn't" Women's National Strike Day, nominating Chicken Little for the San José Jaycee's Woman of the year, hosting local
appearances of Gloria Steinem, boycotting states that did not ratify the ERA, protesting the Gag Rule, supporting abortion
rights and affirmative action, and sending members to the March on Washington for Abortion Rights.
The SJ/SB Chapter began to suffer from internal conflicts in their chapter board during the early 1990s, and from low membership.
However, the chapter remained active, and protested the Anti-Choice Group Operation Rescue,the nomination of Clarence Thomas
to the Supreme Court, and rejoiced in the election of President Bill Clinton.
The SJ/SB Chapter disbanded in 2006 and as of 2008 there are no active NOW chapters in Santa Clara County. However, NOW is
still active at the national level and chapter level throughout the United States. California still has many active chapters,
though many have disbanded.
Prominent and active members of the chapter include: Lillian Gay Moore, Janet Camagna, Christine Klemmer, Dot James, Nona
Tobin, Lillian Thompson, Sharri Le Page, Meredith Mazur, Sue Clarry, Jana Cunningham, Suzanne Hicks, Katy Kay, Nansea Levy,
May Ann May-Pumphrey, Melissa Moore, Pat Sanders, Angel Shepard, Joyce Sogg, Connie F. Springer (Stallings), Sandy Spaulding,
and Robin Yeamans.
Scope and Content
The National Organization for Women, San José/South Bay Chapter Records consist of administrative files, correspondence, publicity,
outreach, publications, reports and photographs. The collection records the day-to-day functions of the organization and illustrates
the Chapter's involvement in local and national politics and the influence of a grassroots movement in local government. The
Chapter worked as a proponent to women's rights in the "Feminist Capital of the World" and it promoted women's rights through
support for the Equal Rights Amendment. Other lobby activities included: reproductive rights, child care, child support, equality
in the work place,
"Alice Doesn't" Women's National Strike Day, support for Anita Hill, end to racism, convention to eliminate all forms of discrimination
against women, amongst others. In addition to their various activities the chapter also supported local women politicians
and maintained correspondence with local and national politicians and legislators.
Arrangement
The collection is organized into two series: I. Administrative Files, 1971-2005; II. Outreach and Publicity, 1971-2007.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Women's rights -- San Francisco Bay Area (Calif.)
Women's rights -- Silicon Valley (Calif.)
Women's rights -- United States -- California
Women's rights -- United States -- History -- 20th century
Women's Rights Advocates
National Organization for Women -- California
National Organization for Women -- History
National Organization for Women -- Periodicals
National Organization for Women -- Silicon Valley (Calif.)
Series I: Administrative Files
1971-2005
Physical Description: 1 Box0.42 linear feet
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series documents the daily operation of the San José/South Bay Chapter; this includes member and board meetings, correspondence
with NOW members, politicians, local media, and National NOW. The documents record the development and the founding of the
San José Chapter, the later joining with the South Bay chapter, and the termination of the chapter. Documents in this series
highlight the interaction between local government and grass roots movements as well as materials that focus on local political
trends that affected women, minorities and the women's rights movement.
Items of interest include correspondence with Governors Ronald Reagan, Jerry Brown Jr., and George Deukmejian, local politicians
Norman Y. Mineta, Don Edwards, Janet Gray Hayes, Albert Alquist, Leona Egeland, Rod Diridon, City Council members, Congress
and State Assembly members, and the local media including radio station KXRX, the Mercury News, and KQED-TV.
Arrangement
This series is arranged chronologically.
Box 1, Folders 1-3
South Bay Chapter
1971-1973
Box 1, Folder 4
Sunnyvale/South Bay Chapter
1974–1978
Box 1, Folders 5-13
San José Chapter
1972–1979
Box 1, Folders 14-37
San José/South Bay Chapter
1980–2005
Series II: Outreach and Publicity
1971-2005
Physical Description: 3.0 boxes
Box 2, Folder 38
South Bay Chapter
1971–1973
Box 2, Folder 39
Sunnyvale/South Bay Chapter
1974–1978
Box 2, Folders 40-48
San José Chapter
1972–1979
Box 2, Folders 49-74
San José/South Bay Chapter
1980–2001
Box 3, Folders 75-78
San José/South Bay Chapter
2002-2005
Box 3, Folder 79
Outreach for Women Inc.
1977–1979
Box 3, Folder 80
National Organization for Women Statement of Purpose
1966
(printed 2008)
Box 3, Folders 81-86
San José/South Bay Chapter Photographs
1976–2002
Box 4, Folders 87-95
Publications and Reports
1973-2002
Box 4, Folder 88
Dis.so.lu.tion: A Handbook on divorce for Santa Clara County Women
1979
Box 4, Folder 89
Revolution in Women's Sports
September 1974
Box 4, Folder 90
Survey on the Status of Women at San José State University
1973–1974
Box 4, Folder 91
To Form a More Perfect Union
1976
Box 4, Folder 92
The Virginia Slims American Women's Opinion Poll, Vol. III
1974
Box 4, Folder 93
Women's Job Rights Handbook
1974
Box 4, Folder 94
Women's Studies 1972–1982
1982
Box 4, Folder 95
Women's Workers Today
1976
