ContentsScope and Contents of the Collection
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League of Women Voters of Central Berkshire RecordsFinding AidFinding aid prepared by Lori Satter.2008
Administrative InformationAcquired in November 2004. Related MaterialFor materials related to the history of the League of Women Voters, see: Processed by Lori Satter, 2008. Preferred CitationCite as: League of Women Voters of Berkshire County (MS 478). Special Collections and University Archives, W.E.B. Du Bois Library, University of Massachusetts Amherst. The collection is open for research. Return to the Table of Contents Historical NoteLWVCB brochureEstablished during the early 1960s, the League of Women Voters of Central Berkshire started out as a league chapter for the town of Pittsfield. Meeting with members of the Boston League of Women Voters in 1927 at the Tally Ho Inn, Mrs. George W. Edman and Mrs. Sheridan R. Cate paved the way to create a local league in Pittsfield. Three years later the group nominated its first slate of leaders, electing Mrs. Brace W. Paddock as president, Mrs. Norman C. Hull as vice-president in charge of finance, and Mrs. Edman as vice-president of publicity on January 19, 1931. By the time the league held its first annual meeting members had already identified issues to focus their initial educational efforts and advocacy on including efficiency in government, child welfare, education, legal status, international relations to prevent war and legislation. Throughout the 1940s the League targeted housing problems in Pittsfield; their 1941 housing study committee reported: "Pittsfield has no slum clearance project ... no housing authority to condemn dangerous and indecent slum dwellings, no factual survey of local housing conditions, no organized citizens' housing association." The League's interest in housing did not waver and together with residents of the city and Mayor James Fallon a preliminary committee was formed which later resulted in the formation of a permanent citizen's housing association. During the 1950s-1960s the LWV of Pittsfield continued to study and inform the public on issues ranging from the impact of foreign trade on the local economy to the operation of Massachusetts state government. By the 1960s membership in the LWV of Pittsfield expanded beyond the city lines reaching out in every direction to towns in the surrounding area. Instead of sponsoring a fourth league in the county (chapters existed already in Williamstown and North Adams) Leaguers decided to expand the Pittsfield chapter to encompass all of central Berkshire. During the next few decades the newly expanded League led significant campaigns on a number of key issues: voter registration, prison reform, child care, and clean drinking water. After decades of successfully fulfilling the League's mission as a nonpartisan political organization dedicated to encouraging active participation of citizens in government and influencing public policy through education and advocacy, the Central Berkshire chapter disbanded in 2001. Return to the Table of Contents Scope and Contents of the CollectionThe records of the central Berkshire county League of Women document the group's efforts to encourage the public to participate in government as well as their efforts to educate the community about key issues of local importance from the 1970s until the chapter disbanded in 2001. Through a variety of media, including newspaper articles, meeting minutes, and newsletters, this collection provides a rich body of materials useful for evaluating the various issues of significance to Leaguers over the course of three decades and the resulting public policy that helped shape the social and political climate of central Berkshire. An example of one local issue in which the support of the LWVCB played an important role was the Washington Mountain Brook watershed project. As the demand for a new supply of clean water for the towns of Lee and Lenox increased it became clear that drilling for new wells would not be the answer, since the possibility of PCB contamination was high. The towns endorsed the Washington Mountain Brook watershed project as the best solution for the water shortage. Concerned about the potential environmental impact of the watershed project, the LWVCB examined the case carefully and determined that given the likelihood of contaminated ground water sources the WMB project was the only viable alternative for a new water supply. The Massachusetts Audubon Society reviewed the same data and concurred; the Conservation Law Foundation of New England, Inc., however, disagreed and filed a lawsuit to stop construction. The LWVCB teamed up with the We Need Water Now Committee, formed by concerned citizens of Lee and Lenox, to intervene in the lawsuit in an effort to have it withdrawn altogether. Ultimately, the groups' combined efforts played a critical role in achieving the approval necessary to move forward with the construction. Return to the Table of Contents Search TermsReturn to the Table of Contents Series 1: Administration 2.5 linear ft.This series contains materials associated with the LWVBC's daily activities, including meeting minutes, membership files, financial records, and newsletters. Together these materials offer insight into the chapter's structure and function as well as its methods for reaching the public. Also included are printed materials and correspondence from the state and national Leagues that convey the broader agendas proposed by the parent organization. Series 2: Issue Campaigns 1.5 linear ft.Subject files within this series identify the political, social, and cultural issues in which members of the League were involved. Topics of primary focus include voter registration drives, prison and election reform, elder health care, children's rights, clean water, and education. Series 1: Administration 1959-2001Annual reports 1985-1989Berkshire Voter 1988-1989Berkshire Voter 1990-1991Berkshire Voter 1992-1993Berkshire Voter 1994-1995Berskhire Voter 1996-1997Berkshire Voter 1998-2001Board meeting minutes 1985-1988Board meeting minutes 1989-1990Board meeting minutes 1991-1993Board meeting minutes 1994-1996Board meeting minutes 1997-2001Board meeting minutes undatedBrochures: letter writing 1989-1995Bumper sticker ca. 1990Bylaws 1972-1986Correspondence 1995, undatedEvents 1996Events: luncheons and potlucks 1987-1996Fundraising 1959-1984Fundraising 1985-1989Fundraising 1990-1996Guest book 1986-1990History: 50th anniversary 1981Items: LWVCB newsletter 1978-1981Items: LWVCB newsletter 1982-1983Items: LWVCB newsletter 1984-1985Items: LWVCB newsletter 1986-1987Items: LWVCB newsletter 1988-1989League of Women Voters of Massachusetts: campaigns 1988League of Women Voters of Massachusetts: correspondence 1981-1988League of Women Voters of Massachusetts: committees 1979-1987League of Women Voters of Massachusetts: legalized casino gambling 1979-1982League of Women Voters of Massachusetts: memos and reports 1985-1989League of Women Voters of the United States: printed material 1982-1988Lobbying 1965-1982Lobbying 1982-1984Lobbying 1987-1988Media and ephemera ca. 1994-1996Membership 1985-1992Membership cards 1971-2000Membership dues 1995-1996Membership lists 1983-1987Membership lists 1987-1988Membership lists 1989Membership lists 1991-2000Newspaper clippings 1982-1988Non-partisanship policy 1970-1986Pamphlets: Know Your Town 1963-1969Pamphlets: Know Your Town 1982-1983, 1992Certificate of Recognition 1995Pittsfield (Mass.): map 1977Press releases 1980-1984Publicity 1976-1982Publicity 1988-1991Publicity 1994-1996Publicity 1997Publicity 1998Script: Lucy Leaguer Goes to Washington ca. 1985Treasurer's reports 1983-1988Treasurer's reports 1989-1993Treasurer's reports 1994-1997Treasurer's reports 1998-2001Series 2: Issue Campaigns 1968-2000Campaign finance reform 1995-1996Campaign finance reform 1996-1997Candidates forum 1984Candidates forum 1984Central Berkshire housing project 1976-1980Children's rights 1980-1984Children's rights 1985Children's rights issue campaign 1985County government 1968-1981County government 1982-1984County government 1986County government 1987-1990Economic conversion 1985-1990Elder care 1984-1985Election education 1980, 2000Election educational for schools 1980Election educational for schools 1984, 1989Financing federal goovernment 1985-1986Financing state government 1979-1981Flouridation of water 1988Health Care 1975-1998Land use 1989Legislative action 1985-1989Mental health 1985National security 1985-1988Nuclear waste 1979-1988Pittsfield mayorial election forum 1989Poverty 1981-1988Presidential debates 1988Prison reform 1972-1984Prison reform 1985Prison reform 1985Prison reform 1985Prison reform 1986-1987Prison reform:articles 1972-1985Prison reform 1986Prison reform:articles 1987Proposition 2 1/2 1980Recycling 1988-1989Right to Know legislation 1984Schools 1991Taxes 1989Voter registration 1988-1989Voter registration 1994Voter service 1971-1978Voter service 1980Voter service 1982Voter service 1983Voter service 1984Voter service 1985Voter service 1987-1988Voter service 1989-1990Voter service 1992Voter service 1992Voter service 1994-1995Voter service 1996Voter service 1996Voter service 1996Voter service 1997-1998Voter service 2000Washington Mountain Brook 1982Water 1979-1987Water conservation 1975-1987Women 1982-1998Zoning: Lenox Green 1988 |
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