A Guide to the San Antonio Chapter of the National Organization for Women Records, 1970-1994

Historical Note

The San Antonio chapter of the National Organization for Women (SANOW) was formed in 1970 and chartered on February 3, 1971. The governing structure of SANOW consists of a council of elected officials including the chapter President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. Membership in SANOW is open to anyone subscribing to NOW's purpose. As it states in its by-laws, the purpose of SANOW is to promote the role and rights of women in the mainstream American society with the freedom from discrimination based on marital status, parenthood, and sexual preference. SANOW works towards this mission through a variety of political and educational activities.

Like most of the local chapters of NOW, SANOW has organized the Education, Labor Union, and Welfare Rights task forces to approach the wide range of issues effecting women. In 1972 SANOW was involved with the foundation of the Bexar County Woman's Political Caucus -- a group that achieved equal delegate representation for women in Bexar County. Other highlights from SANOW's history include lobbying for AFL/CIO support of ERA, working extensively with TV stations to produce a monthly program, and developing an educational display table to promote NOW's activities. As of May 1996, SANOW is still actively promoting equal rights for women.

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Scope and Content Note

The records of the San Antonio chapter of The National Organization for Women (SANOW), 1970-1994, document the varied activities and concerns of its members. The Charter Documents contain correspondence and petitions relating to the founding of the chapter and a copy of the chapter's by-laws. The Newsletters comprise the bulk of the collection and provide an extensive overview of two decades of the organization's interests, events, and activities. Newspaper Clippings also provide insight into topical events and issues that concerned the chapter. While this collection provides very little administrative records, it does contain small series of Correspondence from the President and Vice President's Offices, and Financial Records. The Printed Material is varied and includes announcements, flyers, and programs from SANOW events. The final series, Ephemera contains two banners that were probably part of a display table referred to in the records.

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

Researchers are required to wear gloves provided by the Archives when reviewing photographic materials.

Usage Restrictions

Permission to publish material from the Records must be obtained from the Archives and Special Collections, University of Texas at San Antonio Library.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], San Antonio Chapter of the National Organization for Women Records, 1970-1994, MS 10, Archives and Special Collections, Library, University of Texas at San Antonio.

Acquisition Information

Records were donated in 1994 (Acc. 1994-011).

Processing Information

Processed by Katie Salzmann, Processing Archivist, June 1996.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

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