Overview of the Collection
Historical NoteThe National Organization for Women (NOW), Whatcom County Chapter, formed circa 1973 in Bellingham, Washington following the formation of the Washington State Chapter of NOW in 1972. The Whatcom County Chapter’s mission was to promote full and equal participation of women in mainstream society. The chapter held regular meetings and fundraisers and, beginning in 1974, distributed a monthly newsletter to its members. The group also created task forces and facilitated workshops focused on women’s issues such as sexual violence and discrimination in educational systems. Other areas of focus were the image of women in society, equal rights, housing and financial concerns, and reproductive rights. The group dissolved in 1977 due to decreasing membership and participation. This collection documents the activities of a progressive group of women and men in Whatcom County during the seventies and highlights feminist activism in Northwest Washington. Content DescriptionThe National Organization for Women (NOW) Whatcom County Chapter Records span the dates 1972-1977 and document the activities of a local feminist group and their pursuit of equal rights and improving women’s situation within society. Administrative materials span the period of 1972-1977 and contain the bylaws of the Washington State Chapter of NOW, and documents regarding the formation of the Whatcom County Chapter, handwritten meeting minutes, membership applications and mailing lists, and instructions and sample stationary. Program materials span the years 1974-1976 and contain correspondence, flyers and notices, questionnaires, interviews, instructions, and reports about the organization’s various advocacy efforts. The materials include records of the chapter’s Sexual Violence/Rape Task Force and documents related to their coordination with the Seattle Chapter in conducting workshops about sexual discrimination in educational systems. There are also materials related to the chapter’s work with NARAL to support the pro-choice movement and advocate for abortion and reproductive rights. Other materials include brochures advocating equal rights, improving the image of women in society, and efforts to create shelters for battered women and ensure adequate childcare for women in need. Publications date from 1974-1977 and include an incomplete set of Women’s Newsletter, the official NOW Whatcom County Chapter publication. There is also one issue of the NOW Snohomish County Chapter newsletter, newspaper articles about NOW activities and other relevant women’s issues, various clippings and notes, and three non-NOW women’s newsletters: Priorities, Northwest Passage, and The Spokeswoman. Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Access :
The collection is open to the public. Preferred Citation :National Organization for Women (NOW) Whatcom County Chapter records, Center for Pacific Northwest Studies, Western Washington University, Bellingham WA 98225-9123 Administrative Information
Arrangement :
The National Organization for Women (NOW) Whatcom County Chapter records are organized according to the following series arrangement:
Detailed Description of the CollectionThe following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.
This series contains cooerspondence from the Feminist Coordinating Council regarding equal rights, the Washington State Women's Council and the Coalition of Women and Religion regarding housing, and a brochure advertising the Chrysalis Women's Union Cooperative at Fairhaven College.
SubjectsThis collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.
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