League of Women Voters, Mount Vernon-Lisbon records

Collection

Identifier: IWA0205

Staff Only
Please navigate to collection organization to place requests.

Scope and Contents

The records of the League of Women Voters of Mount Vernon-Lisbon date from 1948 to 1996 and measure 3 linear feet. The records are arranged in three series Administrative, Community involvement and Programs.

The Administrative series (1948-1996) contains the league's by-laws, annual reports and fund raising records. Documents in this series describe the structure of the group and how it operates. The program planning folder provides insight into how programs are chosen for study and the local league's input in deciding state and national programs.

Local league actions such as surveys of garbage collection, housing needs and community recreation as well as reports on the school districts' compliance with Title IX requirements are part of the Community involvement series (1954-1991). The series includes correspondence between the league, the school board and local newspaper discussing meeting-scheduling conflicts and observance of the open-meeting law.

Topics encompassing areas outside the local community are contained in the Programs series (1955-1993). The subjects covered include the federal government, resources and international relations. At the state level the Mount Vernon-Lisbon league studied the taxation process undertaken by the legislature and the judicial system's role in adult corrections, family court and the juvenile justice system.

Dates

Creation: 1948-1996

Creator

League of Women Voters of Mount Vernon-Lisbon (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

Sixteen charter members began a provisional group of the League of Women Voters in Mount Vernon, Iowa, on June 3, 1948. In six months the league was granted full status when its ranks had grown to twenty-eight members. The league has been involved in various projects and studies throughout its history, reflecting changing political issues while maintaining a core concern for the community of Mount Vernon. As a nonpartisan organization, the league has not endorsed individuals for office. It provided forums to meet elected officials and sponsored candidate debates promoting public awareness of political issues.

The group supported bond issues for a community swimming pool in 1960 and a new high school auditorium and an addition at the elementary school in 1989. Throughout the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, the league undertook surveys and studies of Mount Vernon development and local services. In 1990 and 1991 the group conducted a study of care for elementary and middle school students before and after school, identifying the needs of the community and presenting alternative ways of meeting those needs. The organization was renamed and recognized as the League of Women Voters of Mount Vernon-Lisbon in 1992.

In 2012, the Mount Vernon-Lisbon chapter of the League merged with the Cedar Rapids-Marion chapter to form the League of Women Voters of Linn County.

Extent

3.00 Linear Feet

One videocassette [V54], Photographs in box 5 boxes

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The league has been involved in various projects and studies throughout its history, reflecting changing political issues while maintaining a core concern for the community of Mount Vernon.

Method of Acquisition

The records (donor no. 286) were donated by the League of Women Voters of Mount Vernon-Lisbon in 1995 and subsequent years.

Related Materials

League of Women Voters of Iowa (IWA0019)

League of Women Voters, Linn County (IWA1388) and League of Women Voters, Mount Vernon-Lisbon (IWA0205): The Cedar Rapids-Marion chapter of the League absorbed the Mount Vernon-Lisbon chapter around 2012, resulting in the merged Linn County chapter.