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Summary

Abstract:
The National Organization for Women--Albany, N.Y. Chapter Records document the daily activities and special events involving the chapter as well as the chapter's interactions with the state and federal organizations.
Extent:
5.0 cubic ft.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Identification of specific item, series, box, folder, The National Organization for Woman--Albany, N.Y. Chapter, 1971-2005. M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University at Albany, State University of New York (hereafter referred to as the NOW-Albany, N.Y. Records).

Background

Scope and Content:

The collection includes administrative, including correspondence, minutes, by-laws, financial reports and conference materials, and subject files on women's issues, pertaining to the National Organization for Women (NOW) with particular strength in documenting the Albany and New York State chapters. The records of this women's organization pertain to sexual discrimination in education and employment, reproductive rights, gay and lesbian rights, the Equal Rights Amendment, and other gender-related issues.

Please see the records of NOW--New York State (APAP-029) for related materials.

Biographical / Historical:

The Albany Area National Organization for Women (NOW) is a grassroots, civil rights organization concerned with issues of and related to women. The chapter serves the Capital Region including Albany, Rensselaer, and Schenectady Counties. The National Organization for Women was founded in 1966 and has maintained its position on bringing equality to all women. Albany Area NOW belongs to a larger community whose main objective is to eliminate discrimination in the work place, school, the justice system, and all sectors of society.

The Albany chapter was one of the first local chapters in the State of New York to be in full operation (January 1972). From the time of its organization in the Capital Region, the chapter has made an effort to ensure woman have the same privileges and responsibilities as men within American society. There were originally plans to establish a chapter in the Capital Region in 1967, but there were financial setbacks in the state chapter that initially prevented the chapter's organization. The Albany chapter flourished quickly and was fortunate to have several leaders, including Sue Stevens Larsen, Pauline Brundage, and Eileen Kelly, who worked to build a strong foundation. These members occupied positions in the local and state NOW organizations. At various times in its history, the Albany chapter also served as the central office for NOW New York State.

NOW has been an advocate of reproductive rights and believes that reproductive issues are a matter of life and death for women. NOW also has supported educational opportunities for women, the ERA (Equal Rights Amendment), equal pay for women, gay and lesbian rights, rape prevention, and other key issues.

Acquisition information:
All items in this manuscript group were donated to the University Libraries, M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives by the National Organization for Women--Albany, NY Chapter in October 2005.
Processing information:

Processed in 2006 by Kayla Misner and Chris Batista and in 2014 by Angela Perez and Jodi Boyle.

Arrangement:

The collection is organized into the following series:

  1. Series 1 - Administrative Files, 1972-2005, Undated
  2. Series 2 - Subject Files, 1971-1999, Undated

All series are arranged alphabetically.

Physical location:
The materials are located onsite in the department.

Contents


Access

Using These Materials

ACCESS:
The archives are open to the public and anyone is welcome to visit and view the collections.
RESTRICTIONS:

Access to this record group is unrestricted.

TERMS OF ACCESS:

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of copyright. Whenever possible, the M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives will provide information about copyright owners and other restrictions, but the legal determination ultimately rests with the researcher. Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the Head of Special Collections and Archives.

PREFERRED CITATION:

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Identification of specific item, series, box, folder, The National Organization for Woman--Albany, N.Y. Chapter, 1971-2005. M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University at Albany, State University of New York (hereafter referred to as the NOW-Albany, N.Y. Records).

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