Geneva-St. Charles League of Women Voters Records

Collection

Identifier: RHC-RC-149

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Geneva-St. Charles League of Women Voters (LWV) records date from 1947 to 1979. Included are by-laws, meeting minutes, annual reports, treasurer’s records, correspondence, subject files, and scrapbooks. A separate series contains records from the Kane County Council LWV (1921-1972) and surveys and reports dealing with different aspects of Kane County. Since the League began as the Geneva LWV in 1947, combined with St. Charles in 1949, split into two Leagues in 1960, and recombined again in 1975, the minutes and newsletters are arranged chronologically. The League names appear to facilitate access. Both of these record groups exhibit gaps between 1960 and 1975, but are fairly complete otherwise. In general, the majority of the materials date after 1960. The subject files comprise materials on a wide variety of topics such as the Illinois Constitutional Convention, day care, housing, public school finance, and land use. Local, state, and national publications and records document these areas. Also included are studies done in the 1950’s on the boys and girls Illinois State Training Schools. Materials can be found on the executive branch, solid waste disposal, and child welfare as well. The county records include minutes and correspondence for the Kane County Council LWV (1921-1972). There also are county surveys on education, government, the justice department, public health and welfare, and school reorganization. A Know Your County publication provides information on these topics as well as zoning, planning, highways, and recreation. The collection also contains three oversize maps: a drainage map of the State of Illinois (1956), a map indicating the principal watersheds in Illinois (1958), and a city map of St. Charles (1965).

Dates

created: 1921-1980
Other: Date acquired: 05/11/1982

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

Historically, the Geneva-St. Charles League of Women Voters (LWV) underwent several organizational changes. The group began with 34 members on September 24, 1947 as the Geneva LWV. On April 25, 1949 the members changed the name to the LWV of Geneva and St. Charles. This phase lasted until March 30, 1960 when the group split into two separate Leagues, the Geneva LWV and the St. Charles LWV. The final change occurred on April 15, 1975 when the two groups merged to form the current Geneva-St. Charles LWV. The League formed to educate area citizens on politics, government, election procedures, and special topics of public concern. Studies completed during the initial years revolved around gathering information on local schools and on city and township governments. During 1949-50 the members worked to stimulate awareness of school reorganization into districts. The 1950’s included a study of local and county health problems as well as a recommendation to the state board in support of a state constitutional convention. The constitutional convention (Con-Con) eventually required most of the member’s time during the 1960’s. However, the League also concentrated on various local topics in the 1960’s -- school budgets, crime prevention and law enforcement, and a study of local government. The next decade exhibited the widest variety of research projects including a coalition for change in the county’s administration of public aid, the need for low income housing in the St. Charles area, and a report on the effect of proposed airport expansion on area schools. More recently, the League worked for, and is working for, the passage of the ERA amendment in Illinois.

Note written by

Extent

4.00 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement Note

The minutes and newsletters are arranged chronologically

Physical Access Requirements

On September 20, 2013, folders 1-3 from Box 1 have been placed in the freezer for conservation concerns

Source of Acquisition

Helene Ing

Method of Acquisition

Helene Ing, President, and several past and present members of the Geneva-St. Charles League of Women Voters donated the organization’s records to the Northern Illinois Regional History Center on May 11, 1982.

Related Materials

For additional information on the League of Women Voters in northern Illinois, please consult the other League collections held by the Center. Additional information on the Illinois State Training School for Girls in Geneva, Illinois is located in the Lela Trager folder in UA 18, Box D.