LULAC Councils #306 and #308 (Des Moines, Iowa) records

Collection

Identifier: IWA0980

Staff Only
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Scope and Contents

The LULAC Councils #306 and #308 records date from 1957 to 2011 and measure 4 linear inches. The LULAC News, and Latin American News folder includes 28 newsletters which illuminate the transition of the organization from the Latin American Club to the League of United Latin American Citizens Councils #306 and #308 in Des Moines, Iowa.

The earlier editions of the Latin American News and LULAC News newsletters were written by women in the organizations, while the later ones were written by LULAC Council #306. These newsletters include information on political involvement, dichos or common sayings, as well as information on marriages, births, deaths, and social events. Hand drawn posters advertising dances and parties are included in the two folders about events and fiestas.

The El Reportero LULAC folder contains two issues of this newsletter, which was published by LULAC Council #10 in Davenport, Iowa, and edited by Ernest Rodriguez.

The LULAC Glances folder contains the newsletters of the state of LULAC organization, which contain reports submitted by several Iowa LULAC councils: LULAC Council #10, Davenport; LULAC Council #319, Mason City; LULAC Council #304, Fort Madison; and LULAC Councils #306 and #308, Des Moines. The State Conventions folders contain the proceedings from the conventions.

The bulk of the collection has been digitized by the Preservation Department of the University of Iowa Libraries and can be accessed through the Iowa Digital Library.

Dates

Creation: 1957-2011

Creator

LULAC Councils #306 and #308 (Des Moines, Iowa) records (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

The records 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

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Councils #306 and #308 were chartered in Des Moines, Iowa, on June 16, 1957. The two councils developed out of the Latin American Club, a local organization formed by Des Moines Mexican Americans in approximately 1955 that focused on social and cultural activities. The Latin American Club hosted fiestas, dances, and dinner gatherings, which it advertised in its monthly newsletters.

When members of the Latin American Club decided to affiliate with the national LULAC organization, they formed two councils: Council #306 for men and Council #308 for women. Both councils adopted the mission of the national LULAC organization to advance political engagement, education, and civil rights of Latinos in the United States. In 1965, women’s Council #308 merged with Council #306, which celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2017. In 2014, when a new LULAC Council in Iowa City received its charter, it was chartered as LULAC Council #308 (originally the number of the Ladies LULAC Council in Des Moines).

Extent

2.50 linear inches

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The League of United Latin American Citizens Councils #306 and #308 provided opportunities for educational, social, and civil rights advancement for Latinos in the area through scholarships, social events, and political activism.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The records were donated by Ila Plasencia (donor no. 1004) in 2017 and digitized by the University of Iowa Libraries Preservation Department. The bulk of the originals were returned to the donor; selected originals retained by the IWA as specified by the donor.