League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania records
Collection 2095
( Bulk, 1959-1987 ) 1867-1991(134.6 Linear feet ; 343 boxes)
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Repository
- The Historical Society of Pennsylvania
- Creator
- League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania.
- Title
- League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania records
- ID
- 2095
- Date [bulk]
- Bulk, 1959-1987
- Date [inclusive]
- 1867-1991
- Extent
- 134.6 Linear feet ; 343 boxes
- Language
- English
- Abstract
- The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania was established in 1920 as a successor organization to the Pennsylvania Woman Suffrage Association, with the purpose of providing "education to increase the effectiveness of women voters and to further better government." The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania records document the history of this organization from 1867 to 1980, but the bulk of the material dates from 1959 to 1977. The majority of the materials consists of minutes, newsletters, reports and memorabilia. There is a small amount of early material, particularly relating to the suffrage movement. Of particular interest may be the photographs of the 1915 Women's Liberty Bell Tour in support of the vote.
Preferred Citation note
[Description and date of item], League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania records, (Collection 2095), [Box/folder number], The Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
Biographical/Historical note
The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania was established in 1920 as a successor organization to the Pennsylvania Woman Suffrage Association, with the purpose of providing "education to increase the effectiveness of women voters and to further better government."
At the time of its creation, the League of Women Voters was intended to be a temporary organization with the goal of "teaching all the new enfranchised women about the mechanics of registering and voting, nomination and election procedures … [and developing] certain 'needed legislation,'" (LWVP). Since then, the League has "evolved from an organization concerned with women's needs and with training women voters to one concerned with the nation's needs and with training all citizens" (LWVP).
In biennial conventions, the Pennsylvania League establishes its "Program," the issues selected for study, decision and action. State programs have been concerned with constitutional reform, legislative apportionment, election laws, education, welfare, the environment, and city and town planning.
The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania has been active in the Education Fund, a non-profit trust established in 1970 for educating the public on government; Time for Action, a program to involve local leagues in state legislative issues; Pennsylvanian Assess Coal Today, a study on potential uses and environmental impact of coal on the state; local government and community projects; environmental projects; and other state and national issues.
Bibliography:
"About the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania (LWVPA)," League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania website, http://www.palwv.org/About-Us/About-LWVPA.asp
Scope and Contents note
The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania records document the history of this organization from 1867 to 1980, but the bulk of the material dates from 1959 to 1977. There is a small amount of earlier material, particularly relating to the suffrage movement. Of particular interest may be the photographs of the 1915 Women's Liberty Bell Tour in support of the vote.
Researchers will find state board and agenda minutes, 1920 to 1973; state and local annual reports, 1957 to 1973; miscellaneous organizational material and correspondence, 1957 to 1973; treasurer's reports and other financial records, 1933 to 1977; local league reports, 1923 to 1977; mailings, 1959 to 1974; state league convention minutes and reports, 1939 to 1977; political material, 1920 to 1976, particularly regarding to the reform of the state constitution; educational materials; local government and community projects, 1957 to 1978; environmental projects, 1958 to 1978; national issues, 1946 to 1971; state issues, 1934 to 1976; and scrapbooks, 1951 to 1969.
In using the records, a researcher should be aware that information on a particular subject may be found in several different locations.
This collection is arranged to the box level.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
The Historical Society of Pennsylvania 2010.07.12
1300 Locust StreetPhiladelphia, PA, 19107
215-732-6200
Conditions Governing Access note
This collection is open for research use.
Conditions Governing Use note
Copyright restrictions may apply. Please contact the Historical Society of Pennsylvania with requests for copying and for authorization to publish, quote or reproduce the material.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
Gift of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, 1980 and 1990.
Processing Information note
The first edition of this electronic guide was made possible through generous funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, administered through the Council on Library and Information Resources' "Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives" Project. Finding aid entered into the Archivists' Toolkit by Garrett Boos.
The second edition of this was created when the collection was rehoused in 2016.
Related Materials
Related Archival Materials note
Historical Society of Pennsylvania: League of Women Voters of Philadelphia, 1920-1984, Collection 1940.
Controlled Access Headings
Corporate Name(s)
- League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania. Education Fund.
- League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania.
Genre(s)
- Correspondence.
- Financial records.
- Minutes.
- Photographs.
- Project files.
- Publications.
- Reports.
- Scrapbooks.
Subject(s)
- Elections.
- Pennsylvania--Politics and government.
- United States--Politics and government.
- Women in politics.
- Women--Suffrage.
Collection Inventory
| Box | ||||
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State board minutes and state agenda minutes 1920-1973 |
1-3 | |||
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Annual state reports (1952-1976) and annual local league reports, A-P (1959-1965) 1952-1976 |
4-7 | |||
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Annual local league reports A-N (N-Z is missing) 1965-1967 |
8-10 | |||
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Annual local league reports 1968-1972 |
11-13 | |||
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Annual local league reports A-M 1972-1975 |
14-17 | |||
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Annual local league reports, 1975 N-S; 1976 A-L 1975-1976 |
18-22 | |||
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Correspondence (1974-1975), consultants' reports (1963-1970), by-laws and constitution (1977), blueprints for regionals (1970-1974), testimony and news releases (1971-1974 and 1977-1979) 1963-1978 |
23-25 | |||
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Daily Record (1969-1978), state budget (1933-1961), auditor's reports (1941), treasurer's reports (1954-1975) and taxes (1951-1957) 1933-1978 |
26-28 | |||
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Finance and budget (1963-1977) and vouchers (1968) 1963-1977 |
29-31 | |||
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Vouchers, income and expenditures 1971-1973 |
32-34 | |||
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Receipts, disbursements and income 1973-1974 |
35-38 | |||
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Purchase orders, receipts and bank statements 1974-1976 |
39-41 | |||
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Local League Reports: Abington-Altoona 1923-1975 |
42-45 | |||
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Local League Reports: Beaver-Bethlehem 1948-1972 |
46-49 | |||
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Local League Reports: Bloomsbury-Chester County 1937-1969 |
50-53 | |||
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Local League Reports: Chester-Easton 1921-1969 |
54-56 | |||
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Local League Reports: Erie-Hatboro 1943-1975 |
57-59 | |||
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Local League Reports: Hatboro-Johnstown 1945-1977 |
60-64 | |||
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Local League Reports: Lancaster-Lower Merion 1944-1975 |
65-67 | |||
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Local League Reports: Lower Merion-Media 1937-1974 |
68-71 | |||
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Local League Reports: Monroeville-Nether Providence 1943-1974 |
72-75 | |||
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Local League Reports: New Castle-North Penn undated |
75-78 | |||
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Local League Reports: Newtown-Middletown--Pittsburgh 1948-1973 |
78-82 | |||
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Local League Reports: Pittsburgh-Scranton 1945-1979 |
82-85 | |||
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Local League Reports: Scranton-State College 1946-1972 |
85-88 | |||
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Local League Reports: State College-Swarthmore 1946-1968 |
89-92 | |||
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Local League Reports: Thornbury-Upper Providence 1946-1975 |
93-95 | |||
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Local League Reports: Upper St. Clair-Whitemarsh 1946-1977 |
95-99 | |||
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Local League Reports: Whitemarsh-York 1946-1977 |
99-102 | |||
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Mailings 1959-1963 May |
102-105 | |||
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Mailings 1963 May-1967 |
106-109 | |||
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Mailings 1967 June-1969 August |
109-111 | |||
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Mailings 1969 September-1972 March |
112-114 | |||
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Mailings 1972 March-1974 October |
115-118 | |||
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Council/Convention 1939-1974 |
118-121 | |||
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National Convention (5 cassettes and 9 open-reel tapes) 1966 |
122 | |||
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Photographs, largely of conventions (1959-1980 and undated) and reproductions of Women's Liberty Bell Tour (1915); also includes a photograph of Carrie Chapman Catts (1923), 2 photographs of Clean Streams (1970) and a photograph of calling for a constitutional convention (1963) 1915-1980, undated |
123 | |||
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Glass plate negatives of 1915 Liberty Bell tour (positives are in Box 31) 1915 |
124-126 | |||
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Council/convention (1975) and election material, including voter service, published election material and election laws (1920-1976) 1920-1976 |
121, 127-130 | |||
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Election material: Constitutional convention revision (1953-1969) and review of study (1953-1966) 1953-1969 |
130-133 | |||
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Election material: review of study (1953-1966 and 1971), journals (1967-1968), League of Women Voters information (1967-1968), Convention reporter (1967-1968), Bucknell University summer workshop (1958), State Constitution workshop (1960), inventory of work on constitutional revision (1960), evaluation reports of Constitutional Convention Campaign (1960s), Constitutional Action fund (1965), and Constitutional Convention candidates-questionnaires (1967-1968) 1953-1971 |
133-135 | |||
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Election material: comparison of proposed new constitutional provisions with Pennsylvania's present constitution (1965), miscellaneous folder on constitutional convention (1968), constitutional campaign-merit selection of judges (1969), Pennsylvania Plan (1949-1955), Philadelphia home rule (1949-1953), and constitutional convention publications (1949-1968) 1949-1969 |
136-139 | |||
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Election material: non-election material (1959-1974), absentee voting, election night reporting (1959-1968), election of 1976 and municipal election of 1979; Education material: committee minutes, correspondence and Education Fund (1942-1947) 1942-1979 |
139-142 | |||
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Education material: Education Fund grant, budgets, tax returns, treasurer's reports, expenditures, disbursements, checks, and income 1969-1972 |
142-145 | |||
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Education material: Education Fund material 1972-1976 |
145-148 | |||
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Times for Action (TFA) 1969-1976 |
148-151 | |||
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Local government reports and correspondence 1969-1978 |
152-153 | |||
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Local government and community projects, including local politics, education, housing, finance, taxes, real estate, and work projects Allegheny-Radnor 1957-1975 |
154-156 | |||
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Local government and community projects: Springfield-Zelienople statewide education projects and studies, including Project 18 environmental projects and reports: environmental quality and water resources 1966-1978 |
157-160 | |||
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Environmental projects and reports: Delaware River/Basin Area 1958-1975 |
160-163 | |||
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PACT |
163-165 | |||
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PACT |
166-169 | |||
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Environmental projects and reports: Ohio River, Potomac River, strip mining and Tocks Island Dam (1957-1971); health projects; and national-political involvement (1946-1971) 1946-1971 |
169-172 | |||
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National-political involvement, state-level involvement (1934-1976), State Publications Catalogs (1970-1976), Britannica and Christian Science Monitor subscription material (1974), and League of Women Voters publications including Action (1944-1950) and The Bulletin of the Pennsylvania League of Women Voters (1923-1925) 1923-1976 |
172-175 | |||
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League of Women Voters publications including Issue (1945), Legislative Letter (1959-1968), The Pennsylvania Voter (1923-1976), and Trends (1946); suffrage movement material (1867-1924); and Legislative Center (1969-1971) 1867-1976 |
175-178 | |||
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50th Anniversary of the League of Women Voters material: Fifty Years Old and proud of It, budget brochure, board kit, anniversary celebration newsletter, and resolution marking fiftieth anniversary (1969); and glass plates of suffrage movement moment - Women's Liberty Bell Tour (1915) 1915, 1969 |
178 | |||
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Oversized: scrapbooks 1951, 1952-1956, 1960 |
179 | |||
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Oversized: scrapbooks (1967 volume regarding the Constitutional Campaign) 1952-1956, 1955-1956, 1956-1965, 1965, 1967 |
180 | |||
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Oversized: scrapbooks (1969 volume includes four 1928 editions of The Woman's Journal published by the Woman Citizen Corporation) 1954-1956, 1961-1963, 1964, 1969 |
181 | |||
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Scrapbooks 1963, 1964-1965 |
183-184 | |||
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Oversized: financial material: ledger records 1948-1972 |
185 | |||
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Oversized: election posters 1960, undated |
186 | |||
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Consumer protection files 1975-1979 |
187-188 | |||
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Receipts and disbursements 1977 January-1978 February |
188-191 | |||
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Receipts and disbursements 1978 March-October |
191-194 | |||
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Receipts and disbursements 1978 November-1979 July |
194-197 | |||
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Receipts and disbursements 1980 August-March |
197-199 | |||
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Receipts and disbursements 1980 April-October |
199-201 | |||
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Receipts and disbursements 1980 November-1981 March |
201-203 | |||
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Receipts and disbursements 1981 April-1982 March |
203-206 | |||
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Receipts and disbursements 1982 April-1983 March |
206-208 | |||
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Receipts and disbursements 1983 April-1984 March |
208-211 | |||
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Financial records - including ledgers, journals, sales tax and income tax 1977-1982 |
211-213, 214 | |||
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Local League files: Abington-Cheltenham-Jenkintown-Beaver 1975-1986 |
213, 215-216 | |||
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Local League files: Berks-Bethlehem 1975-1986 |
216-220 | |||
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Local League files: Blair - Central Chester County 1975-1986 |
220-223 | |||
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Local League files: Clarion - Erie 1975-1986 |
223-226 | |||
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Local League files: Greater Hazelton - Haverford 1975-1986 |
226-228 | |||
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Local League files: Hershey - Indiana- Lancaster - New Hope 1975-1986 |
228-231 | |||
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Local League files: Lebanon - Media 1975-1986 |
231-234 | |||
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Local League files: Monroe - Newtown-Middletown 1975-1986 |
235-237 | |||
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Local League files: North Hills - Northeaster Montgomery County 1975-1986 |
237-240 | |||
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Local League files: Philadelphia - Radnor 1975-1986 |
240-243 | |||
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Local League files: Shenango Valley - State College 1975-1986 |
243-247 | |||
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Local League files: Swarthmore - Upper Main Line 1975-1986 |
247-249 | |||
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Local League files: Upper St. Clair - Warren 1975-1986 |
249-252 | |||
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Local League files: Washington County - Yardley 1975-1986 |
252-255 | |||
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Inter-League Organization and County Council files - Allegheny County ILO - SEPR 1975-1986 |
255-258 | |||
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Local League annual reports 1975-1979 |
259-261 | |||
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Local League annual reports 1980-1982 |
262-265 | |||
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Local League files- Abington-Cheltenham-Jenkintown - Lycoming: Post Annual meeting (1986) and Post Annual meeting (1988) 1986, 1988 |
266-269 | |||
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Local League, Inter-league Organization and County Council files Meadville - Southeastern PA Region: Post Annual meeting (1986) and Post Annual meeting (1988) 1986, 1988 |
270-273 | |||
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Local League voters' guides 1978-1979 |
274-276 | |||
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Voters Service files: Debates (1980-1982), Forecast VS/VG (March 1977 to the Primary in 1981) and ABC Election Night reporting (1969-1978) 1969-1982 |
277-279 | |||
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ARCO Education Project - car maintenance and repair 1980 |
280-281 | |||
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Special project files: "Coal - The Burning Question," background on publication, Pennsylvanians Assess Coal Today (PACT) (1977-1980), Coastal Zone Management (CZM) (1980-1981), Displaced Homemakers (1983), election publications (1985), Environmental Mediation Conference (1985-1986), Flood Plain Conference (1974), Hazardous Waste project (1985), Inspection & Maintenance Program (I & M), vehicular emission (1979), Juvenile Justice projects (1979, 1983-1984); Laws for Kids (1982), low-level radioactive waste (1984), Nuclear Energy project (1981), Primary project (1973), Project VOTE (1984), solid waste management (1985), Tax Assessment Workshop (1983-1984), trade (1983), and waste reduction 1973-1986 |
282-284 | |||
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Special project files: Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRCP) - Transportation and Air Quality, Hazardous Waste Management workshops, and Sex Equity/Vocational Education; Program files: Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) (1976-1981), human resources (1965-1981), legislative action (1974-1979), low level radioactive waste publication information and distribution (1984), debates for League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania and League of Women Voters of the United States (1980-1982), and Women's Legislative Exchange (1977-1981) 1965-1984 |
285-288 | |||
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Program files: air quality, Hazardous Waste Workshop, health care, human resources testimony letter, international relations/national security, Lake Erie Basin, land use/ILC, libraries, PA Legislature, the Political Accountability Rating System (PARS), reproductive issues, taxes, transportation, the urban crisis, and women's issues 1977-1983 |
289-292 | |||
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League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania Council and Convention Files 1973-1984 |
293-296 | |||
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Program files: 18 year old vote, COAL - Pennsylvanians Assess Coal Today (PACT), constitution, Constitutional Convention, General Assembly bills and agendas, legislation, and the Liberty Amendment undated |
297-299 | |||
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Local Leagues' miscellaneous files: Cherry forms (1987); MTS annual reports (1987); treasurer's reports, budget (1984-1986); bylaws amendments (1979 and 1983-1987); local program (1983-1985 and 1987); Allegheny County; a case study; Disaffiliated County Council; and Local League annual reports (1983) 1979-1987 |
300-302 | |||
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League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania mail books (1979 August-1982 December), League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania Board Meeting minutes (1973 September-1982 November), and League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania yearly budget books (fiscal year 1968-1969-fiscal year 1985-1986) 1968-1986 |
303-305 | |||
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League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania mail books 1974 November-1979 July |
306-308 | |||
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Mixed administrative files 1969-1980 |
309-311 | |||
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Mixed administrative files circa 1970-circa 1987 |
312-314 | |||
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Mixed administrative files circa 1970-circa 1987 |
315-317 | |||
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Mixed administrative files circa 1970-1987 |
318-322 | |||
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Mixed administrative files circa 1970-circa 1987 |
323-326 | |||
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Disbanded leagues files - Bradford area to Marple-Newtown circa 1980s |
327-329 | |||
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Disbanded leagues files - Monroeville to Warminster circa 1980s |
330-333 | |||
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President's files - low level radioactive waste; Chesapeake Bay; Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission; Nuclear power, Three Mile Island; Environmental quality; Household hazardous waste project 1978-1991 |
334-336 | |||
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President's files - Social policy; Public Utilities Commission; Emergency Medical Services; Economic development; Reapportionment; PennVEST; Farmland bond issue; Land use; Property tax reform; LVWPA tax study; Voter service; Polling site accessibility study; Handicapped Voter Week; Project VOTE; Judicial reform/merit selection; education curriculum; education; education update; Selection of women/minorities hearing circa 1970s-1990s |
338-340 | |||
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President's files - Nominating committee; Action letters; Where We Stand; Project proposals; Key to the Keystone State revisions; Budget committee; Agriculture project; District justice study; Fiscal policy revision 1979-1990 |
340-341 | |||
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President's files - Debates; resumes; PennChoice; Day care; Family medical leave; Homeless Coalition; Gender-based insurance; Juvenile justice; WIC Coalition; Women's issues; Women's Agenda 1979-1991 |
342-344 | |||
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