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Kathy Kilbourn papers

 Collection
Identifier: IWA0831

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Scope and Contents

The Kathy Kilbourn papers date from 1936-1993 and measure 10 linear inches. The papers are organized in three series: Cedar Rapids National Organization for Women (NOW), Intervention in Violence Against Women (IV Project), and Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) Vote.

The Cedar Rapids National Organization for Women (NOW) series date from 1979-1991 and includes "Lilith Speaks" and other NOW publications, a conference book and proposed actions from the 1992 NOW National Conference, and pamphlets from prolife groups.

The Intervention in Violence Against Women (IV Project) series date from 1982-1991 and reflects the formation and early development of this Cedar Rapids based organization. In addition to meeting minutes and project correspondence, this series contains extensive research material gathered by the organization, including reports and booklets from similar organizations, news articles, and copies of domestic violence law. A journal with meeting notes and a phone log, documenting calls and help requests receieved by the IV Project, completes the series.

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) Vote series date from 1936-1993 and is largely comprised of correspondence, newspaper clippings, and campaign resource material related to the 1992 Iowa vote on the Equal Rights Amendment. In addition to capturing the strategies and discourse from supporters of the ERA - including groups like the Linn County ERA Coalition - this series also contains correspondence from the campaign finance complaint lodged by Larry Johnson over the role of students in assembling ERA signs.

Dates

  • Creation: 1936-1992

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The papers are open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright held by the donor has been transferred to the University of Iowa.

However, copyright status for some collection materials may be unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owner. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility and potential liability based on copyright infringement for any use rests exclusively and solely with the user. Users must properly acknowledge the Iowa Women’s Archives, The University of Iowa Libraries, as the source of the material. For further information, visit https://www.lib.uiowa.edu/sc/services/rights/

Biographical / Historical

Kathryn “Kathy” Kilbourn, activist and teacher, was born in 1944 in Cedar Rapids. A teacher at Washington High School in Cedar Rapids, Kilbourn was a member of the Cedar Rapids National Organization for Women (NOW), a board member of the Intervention in Violence Against Women (IV Project), and the treasurer for the Linn County ERA Coalition, for which she also served as a member of the steering committee.

Kilbourn was a founding member of the IV Project, which began in 1984. Early mission statements for the IV Project propose it as “a program of cooperation and coordination between Cedar Rapids Police, the judicial system, counseling services, and the Cedar Rapids Emergency Shelter.” They offered free and public educational programs on abusive relationships, fielded phone calls from women seeking help, and performed extensive research on other programs, modelling their own work on a group from Duluth, Minnesota.

Extent

19.5 linear inches

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Founding member of the Intervention in Violence Against Women Project, activist and teacher from Cedar Rapids.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The papers (1241) were donated by Kathryn Kilbourn in 2011.

Author
Megan Blaue, 2013
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
eng

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)