Descriptive Summary
Glossbrenner, Ernestine
1932-
Ernestine Glossbrenner
Papers
1948-1996Materials
are in English.
MS 63
8 linear feet
University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries Special Collections
The Ernestine
Glossbrenner Papers document the State Representative's career through
correspondence, legal documentation, photographs, awards and printed materials.
These papers also include materials of her time as an educator before assuming
office in 1977. Finally, a small amount of her post-political activities are
documented through 1996. The collection is separated into three series:
Political Career, Texas Women's Political Caucus and Personal Records.
Biographical Note
Ernestine Glossbrenner served 16 years as Texas State Representative
from 1977 until her retirement in 1993. She gained a reputation as a legislator
who kept her sense of humor, yet remained dedicated to her fight for the
improvement of education and the lives of the underprivileged in Texas.
Glossbrenner was born in 1932, and raised in the small East Texas oilfield
community of Carlisle. With her father on the school board, education and
public service was a priority of the family. After graduating from Kilgore
Junior College in 1952, Glossbrenner went on to receive her B.A. in chemistry
from the University of Texas at Austin in 1954. She then began her teaching
career in Alice, Texas where she taught for twenty-two years.
Glossbrenner was first inspired to run for State Representative in
1974 because she was dissatisfied with the incumbent's stance on education.
Amid controversy regarding the election process, she lost, but ran again in
1976 and won the State Representative's seat on the Democratic ticket.
Glossbrenner decided to be a legislator full time, marking the end of her
teaching career. One of her first important legislative contributions allowed
Texan voters the first true secret ballot election procedure. While she
contributed important legislation to other causes such as worker safety,
Glossbrenner is most known for her victories in the realm of public education.
In 1989 House Speaker Gib Lewis named her Head of the House Public Education
Committee. In 1984, during the development of education reform bill HB 72,
Glossbrenner put forward the interests of students and teachers. As part of the
71st Legislature she supported legislation that addressed the school dropout
rate, and increased funding for education.
Glossbrenner was heavily involved with local and national women's
organizations during her time in office. She remained affiliated with such
organizations after her retirement from office, and continues to dedicate
herself to women's issues and causes. Glossbrenner has served as state
president for the Texas Chapter of the National Women's Political Caucus during
the early 1990's, and in 1999 served on the Advisory Board of the Women's
Advocacy Project. Currently, Glossbrenner is a governor-appointed member of the
Texas Ethics Commission.
Scope and Contents
The Ernestine Glossbrenner Papers document the State Representative's
career through correspondence, legal documentation, photographs, awards and
printed materials. These papers also include materials of her time as an
educator before assuming office in 1977. Finally, a small amount of her
post-political activities are documented through 1996. The collection is
separated into three series: Political Career, Texas Women's Political Caucus
and Personal Records. The first series contains the bulk of the collection.
The Political Career series is divided into
two subseries: Campaigns and Office Records. The Campaigns subseries represents
Glossbrenner's campaign activities covering her first unsuccessful run for
office in 1974 and elections to office from 1976 to 1991. The bulk of material
on campaigns is in the form of correspondence and newspaper articles. Of
particular note, is the coverage of her first political race, which ended in
her loss and claims of a mishandled election process. Campaign ads from early
elections provide insight into the campaign strategy utilized by Glossbrenner.
Most of the materials in this series deal with Glossbrenner's position in
office as state representative. A small amount of this material also deals with
Glossbrenner's support of other Democratic candidates on a state and national
level. The Office Records subseries documents Glossbrenner's actual political
career as State Representative from 1977 to 1993. These materials offer the
researcher a glimpse of Glossbrenner's interests and causes while in office,
and the resulting legislation that followed. The included correspondence is
comprised mainly of appreciation letters from Glossbrenner's constituents and
colleagues, and from affiliated organizations for the work she did on their
behalf while in office. The substantial amount of photographs present offer the
researcher a rare visual representation of Glossbrenner's activities inside the
capitol during her term.
The Texas Women's Political Caucus series
offers insight into Glossbrenner's involvement with the organization during and
after her term as State Representative. These materials illustrate the manner
in which the organization came to rely on Glossbrenner for advice, support and
leadership. The correspondence in this series offers the most insight into
Glossbrenner's relationship with the TWPC. This correspondence contains
incoming and outgoing letters, most of which date from the early 1990's. These
letters reveal Glossbrenner's increased involvement with the TWPC, first as
chairperson, then as president.
The Personal Records is the smallest of the
three series, but does offer some detail of Glossbrenner's teaching career and
her continued relationship with acquaintances from Alice, Texas and surrounding
towns. Through materials such as correspondence and newspaper articles,
Glossbrenner kept abreast of local happenings, particularly those related to
education. The bulk of this series is represented by correspondence with
acquaintances from Glossbrenner's pre-political career. This correspondence
consists of incoming and outgoing letters, most of which were sent during the
1990's. Contracts with the Alice Independent School District offer some
specifics of her career as an educator. Also present are several college
yearbooks from schools where Glossbrenner attended and taught, as well as a
scrapbook containing family photos.
Access Restrictions
This collection is housed at UTSA's Main Campus and must be accessed via the John Peace Library Special Collections reading room. To request access, please use the Collections Request Form.
Permission to Pubish
Permission to publish material from the Glossbrenner collection must
be obtained from University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries Special Collections.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Ernestine Glossbrenner Papers, 1948-1996, MS
63, University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries Special Collections.
Acquisition Information
All the materials in this collection were donated by Ernestine
Glossbrenner in September 1997.
Processing Information
Prepared by Dale Sauter, February 2001. Materials were added to the
Papers by Jose Javier Garza, Library Assistant, Summer 2005.
Notes to Researchers
In summer 2005, new materials were added to the collection. The new
additions consist mainly of photographs and correspondence. In the Political
Career series, new photographs were added to the Inside Capital subseries. In
the Personal Records series, photographs and correspondence were added. The
photographs are of events and portraits of Glossbrenner, her friends and her
constituents. The added correspondence consists of greeting cards, letters, and
postcards. Though the correspondence is mostly of a personal nature, much of it
can also be considered part of her political correspondence because many of the
correspondents were also her constituents.
Index Terms
Personal Names
Glossbrenner, Ernestine,
1932-
Organizations
Texas Women's Political
Caucus.
Subjects
Women
politicians--Texas--Austin.
Women political
candidates--Texas--Austin.
Women in
politics--Texas--Austin.
Women in public
life--Texas.
Women
teachers--Texas.
Locations
Texas--Politics and
government--20th century.
Genres/Formats
Correspondence.
Legal files.
Photographs.
Local Subjects
Education/Educators
Politics/Politicians
Women
Detailed Description of the Papers
Political Career
1
Campaigns
1
1
Biographies (Glossbrenner),
undated
1
2
Correspondence,
1974-1982
1
Finances
1
3
Paid Bills, 1976 Campaign
1
4
Paid Bills 1974 Campaign
1
5
Campaign Fund Account Donations
1
6
Bank Statements, Campaign Fund
1
7
Tax Returns,
1986, 1987, 1989
1
8
Volunteer Forms,
undated
1
Financial Documents
1
9
Filed Financial Statements,
1975, 1981-1989
1
10
Campaign Contribution Reports,
1984, 1988, 1990
1
11
Contribution and Expenditure Statement Report,
1974-1992
1
Legal Documentation
1
12
Agreements,
1974, undated
1
13
Order of Impoundment,
1974
1
14
Sworn Statements,
1974
1
15
Maps (Alice, TX),
undated
1
16
Notes,
1980, undated
1
17
Photographs (Assorted),
undated
14
Plaques
14
5-9
Awards,
1986-1992
14
10
House Membership,
1991
16
Resolution,
1992
1
Printed Materials
1
18
Announcements,
1974-1982, undated
1
19
Clippings,
1974-1990, undated
1
20
Calendars,
1973-1988, undated
1
21
Campaign Ads (Glossbrenner),
1974-1980, undated
1
Ephemera
1
22
Assorted,
1976-1984, undated
1
22
Campaign Signs,
undated
1
23
Forms,
1976, 1978, undated
1
Magazines
1
24
The Texas Observer,
1986 (signed)
2
Manuals
2
1
Manuals,
1972-1984
2
2
Manuals,
1986-1990
2
3
Newsletters (Assorted),
1976-1996, undated
2
4
Programs, Democratic Conventions,
1984, 1988, undated
2
5
Rosters (political),
1976-1979, undated
2
6
Legislative Sessions Proceedings,
1974, undated
2
Reports
2
7
Application to Place Name on Ballot,
1976-1990
2
8
Assorted,
1973-1996, undated
2
9
Candidate Questionnaire,
1976, undated
2
10
Election Results,
1974-1996, undated
2
11
Treasurer Designation,
1977-1981
2
12
Speeches (Glossbrenner),
1975, undated
2
13
Transcripts for Campaign Ads,
undated
2
Office Records
2
14
Appointment Papers,
1993
3
1
Audiotapes (Interviews),
1981, 1987
3
2-3
Bills/Legislation
3
Correspondence
3
4
Correspondence,
1974-1990
3
5
Correspondence,
1990-1992
3
6-7
Correspondence,
1992
4
1
Correspondence,
1992, undated
4
Ephemera
4
2
Assorted,
undated
16
Sign from Capitol Office,
undated
16
Carpet Sample from Capitol,
undated
4
3
A.M.E. Church History,
1987
4
Invitations
4
4
State,
undated
4
5
Federal,
1977, 1978
4
Legal Documents
4
6
Affidavit,
1991
4
7
Contracts - Lease of Office,
1983-1991
4
Photographs
4
8
Buildings – State Capitol,
undated
Map Case
Century of Women in the Legislature Gala
(panoramic),
1995
4
Events
4
9
[Color],
1987
4
10
Easter Egg Hunt,
1983
4
11
Ground Breaking,
1978
4
Inside Capitol
4
12
Contact Sheets [Black and White],
1977-1985, undated
4
13
Contact Sheets [Color],
1979-1992, undated
4
14
Children [Black and White],
undated
5
1
Children [color],
undated
5
2-3
Group Photos,
undated
5
4-6
House of Representative Floor Photos,
undated
5
7-8
Meeting Photos,
undated
6
1
Office Photos,
undated
15
Political Colleagues
15
1978-1983 (oversize),
undated
6
2
undated
6
3
1985, undated
6
Portraits
6
4
undated
6
5
Contact Prints,
1976, 1988-1989, undated
6
Printed Materials
6
6
Announcements (Assorted),
1973-1992, undated
6
Articles
6
7
Magazines,
1974-1992, undated
6
8
Newspapers,
1975-1983
6
9
Newspapers,
1983-1992, undated
Map Case
Article about Ann Richards (signed by Richards),
1982
6
10
Cartoons (Political),
undated
6
Certificates
6
11
Awards,
1997-1996, undated
6
12
Certifications,
1976-1992, undated
7
Directories
7
1
Political Colleagues,
1980-1991, undated
7
2
Political Colleagues,
1992, undated
7
3
Documents from Texas History and Government,
undated
7
4
Manuals – Rules of Procedure,
1976-1989, undated
7
5
Newsletters (Assorted),
1974-1991, undated
8
1
Papers (Assorted),
1978-1987
8
Programs
8
2
Appreciation Dinners,
1979, 1989
8
3
Federal Inaugurations – Jimmy Carter,
1977
8
4
State Inaugurations,
1978, 1984, undated
8
Schedules
8
5
Personal Appointment,
1978, 1983
8
6
Personal Appointment,
1991-1992
8
7
Proceedings - 86th Congress,
1960
8
8
Proclamations (Assorted),
1984-1995
8
8
Songs and Music,
undated
8
Reports
8
10
Committee Expense Vouchers,
1991-1992
8
11
Office Expense Vouchers,
1991-1992
8
12
Travel Expense Vouchers,
1990-1992, undated
9
1
Committee Financial Statements,
1991-1992
9
2
Office Financial Statements,
1991-1992
9
3
Personal Financial Statements,
1977-1991
9
4
Personnel Action Requests,
1986-1992
9
Resolutions
9
5
Assorted,
1984-1991, undated
9
6
Legislature,
1984-1991, undated
9
Speeches
9
7
Ernestine Glossbrenner,
1974-1988
9
8
Ernestine Glossbrenner,
1988-1991, undated
9
Transcripts
9
9
House Bill Comments,
1988
9
10
Interview,
1981
14
Videotapes
14
1
Texas Inaugaration Celebration,
1991
14
2
School Finance Committee Hearings,
1991
14
3
Texas Supreme Court: America and the Courts,
1990
Texas Women's Political Caucus
9
11
Agendas,
1992-1996
9
12
Biographies (Glossbrenner),
undated
9
13
By-Laws,
1987, 1992
9
14
Correspondence,
1975-1996, undated
10
Legal Documentation
10
1
Contracts,
1996
10
2
Formal Complaint (unsigned),
1973
10
3
Minutes,
1993-1995
10
4
Photographs (Convention),
undated
16
Plaques,
1974
10
Printed Materials
10
Articles
10
5
Magazines,
1986-1995, undated
10
6
Newspapers,
1986-1996, undated
10
7
Calendars,
1992-1997
10
8
Certificates (Awards),
1987
10
9
Forms,
1994-1996, undated
10
10
Newsletters (Assorted),
1976-1996
10
11
Press Releases,
1992
10
Programs
10
12
TWPC Events,
1983-1995
10
13
National Conventions,
1971-1995
10
14
Publications (Political),
1980, 1992
10
15
Quotes (Assorted),
undated
10
Rosters
10
16
Assorted,
1992-1995, undated
10
17
TWPC,
1991-1996, undated
10
18
Procedures (Assorted),
1992-1995, undated
10
Reports
10
19
Assorted,
1976-1996, undated
10
20
Contributions,
undated
10
21
Financial,
1992-1995
10
22
Speeches (Draft),
undated
10
23
Statement of Purpose,
1971
10
24
Transcripts,
1992
Personal Records
10
25
Birth Certificate and Personal Information,
1932, 1953, 1962, undated
10
26
Church,
1984, 1988, 1989, 1996
10
27
Contracts (Teaching),
1954-1974
11
Correspondence
11
1
Greeting Cards
11
2
Letters,
1970-1985
11
3
Letters,
1986-1991, undated
11
4
Postcards,
1978, 1985, 1985, 1990, 1994,
undated
14
11
Apron,
undated
11
5
Invitations,
1978, 1986, 1992
11
6
Legal Document - Last Will and Testament of John Leslie
Glossbrenner,
1970
11
Photographic Material
11
7
Group Photographs of Ernestine Glossbrenner,
1988, undated
11
8
Events,
undated
11
9
Individual Photographs of Ernestine Glossbrenner,
undated
11
Portraits
11
10
Groups,
1986, 1989, 1990, undated
11
11
Individual,
1978-1986, 1987, undated
11
Printed Material
11
12
Articles, Newspaper Clippings,
1979-1994, undated
11
13
Cartoons,
undated
11
Certificates
11
14
Awards,
1952-1996, undated
11
15
Certificates and Memberships,
1948-1982, undated
11
16
Ephemera,
1987, undated
11
17
Newsletters (Assorted),
1975-1996, undated
11
18
Programs (Assorted),
1983, 1991
11
19
Quotes (Assorted),
1979, 1987, undated
11
Scrapbook,
1922-1947, undated
11
20
Copy
17
Original
4
Videotape, Abortion Denied,
undated
12
Yearbooks
12
1947
12
1948-1949
12
1951
12
1952
12
1953
12
1954
12
1959-1963