Elgin League of Women Voters Records

Collection

Identifier: RHC-RC-137

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The records for the League of Women Voters of Elgin date from 1929-2001 and contain meeting minutes, monthly bulletins, annual reports, correspondence, topical files, state and national files, and scrapbooks. The collection contains a wide variety of information on League programs and projects during the 1960's. In particular, topical files describe the League's work in welfare, housing discrimination, equal opportunity, the development of human resources, the Kane County food stamp program, and the Illinois Constitutional Convention. The meeting minutes, which also contain annual reports, budgets, and correspondence, and the monthly bulletins further document the organization's programs. The collection contains two publications written and put out by the League on Elgin and Kane County government; Elgin on the Fox and Know Your County.

Dates

created: 1929-2001
Other: Date acquired: 09/21/1981

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on access to the collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights in the collection belong to the Regional History Center; literary rights are dedicated to the public.

Biographical or Historical Information

Due to the lack of historical records on the early years of the Elgin League of Women Voters, it is only known that the group organized on May 28, 1929. Their purpose, however, is known and has remained the same throughout their history; to promote political responsibility through informed active participation of citizens in government and to take action on local governmental measures and policies in the public interest. The League does not support or oppose any political party or candidate. To accomplish these tasks, the Elgin League held public forums and debates and published literature to inform the public. Topics of concern ranged from Chinese culture to school board candidates' meetings. For example, in 1962 the organization worked for a convention to provide an improved constitution in Illinois as well as holding joint discussions with the American Association for University Women on the common market. In 1967 they had meetings on equal opportunity for education and employment nation-wide and worked against housing discrimination in Elgin. In any year, their greatest contribution to political knowledge is the publication and dissemination of voters information.

Note written by

Extent

2.50 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Source of Acquisition

Doretta Williams

Method of Acquisition

Doretta Williams, representing the League of Women Voters of Elgin, donated the organization’s records to the Northern Illinois Regional History Center on September 21, 1981.

Accruals and Additions

Additional records were donated in 1986 by Gen Dolan and in 1996 and 2001 by Janet Poyner.

Related Materials

For further information on the history of the northern Illinois League of Women Voters the researchers should consult other League collections held by the Regional History Center: DeKalb (RC 118); Joliet Region (RC 143); Geneva-St. Charles (RC 149); Aurora (RC 151); and Rockford (RC 178).