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RESOURCE MATERIALS

 Series
Identifier: 4

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Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The Johnson County ERA Coalition records date from 1984 to 1993 and measure 7.5 linear inches. The records are arranged in six series: Administrative, Newspaper clippings, Publicity, Resource materials, Photographs, and Artifacts. The bulk of the collection documents the 1992 ERA campaign in Iowa, although some of the materials date back to 1984.

The Administrative series (1991-1993) contains organizational materials such as agendas and minutes, volunteer sign-up sheets, and notes related to events organized by the coalition. The series includes a letter written to Eleanor Smeal of the Fund for the Feminist Majority after the ERA's defeat, outlining local women's criticisms of the Feminist Majority's Iowa campaign. The Newspaper clippings series (1991-1993), organized by publication, includes clippings from local and state newspapers related to the ERA.

The Publicity series (1992) contains promotional literature such as flyers, newsletters, mailings, speech materials, and action packets used by the Johnson County ERA Coalition and affiliated groups. The materials are organized by the organization which created them. This series includes anti-ERA literature and mailings as well. Two promotional videocassettes complete the series. The first is Phyllis Schlafly's "Stop ERA" video, made in 1984, in which Schlafly talks about her personal history and chief reasons for opposing the ERA. The second video was produced by the Iowa Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs (BPW) in 1992; members of political groups, an Iowa farmer, grade school children, and others speak out in support of the ERA in this video.

The Resource Materials series (1985-1992) contains research materials on state ERA laws and how they have been applied. It includes summaries of cases that were litigated under state ERAs, and summaries of civil legislation related to employment practices, comparable worth, and wage discrimination policies. The series also includes a law journal article, an annotated analysis of state ERA cases published in American Law Reports, and a guidebook on the ERA produced by the National Women's Conference Committee Task Force for the Equal Rights Amendment (funded by the National Women's Conference Center and the Kentucky Foundation for Women).

The Photographs series (1992) consists of a photo album with photographs taken at events sponsored by the Johnson County ERA Coalition: July 4 Coralville Parade, August 29 Walkathon, October 23 University of Iowa homecoming parade, and October 28 rally on the Pentacrest in Iowa City. The individuals in the photographs include well-known local and state figures such as Mary Louise Smith, Minnette Doderer, Jim Leach, Jean Lloyd-Jones, Karen Kubby, Bob Dvorsky, Clara Oleson, Maureen Taylor, and Papusa Molina.

The Artifacts series (undated) includes buttons, stickers, and a cloth ERA tote bag.

Dates

  • Creation: 1984-1993

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The records are open for research.

Extent

From the Collection: 7.50 linear inches

From the Collection: 2 videocassettes [V28-V29], Photographs in Box 2 boxes

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Repository Details

Part of the Iowa Women's Archives Repository

Contact:
100 Main Library
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City IA 52242 IaU
319-335-5068
319-335-5900 (Fax)