MINNESOTA WOMEN'S POLITICAL CAUCUS:

An Inventory of Its Records at the Minnesota Historical Society

Manuscripts Collection

OVERVIEW


	Creator:	Minnesota Women's Political Caucus, creator.
	Title:	Minnesota Women's Political Caucus records.
	Dates:	1971-1996.
	Abstract:	Files of a statewide organization to encourage women's participation in government, several of its local chapters, and its educational adjunct, the Minnesota Women's Education Council.
	Quantity:	2.7 cubic feet (3 boxes).
	Location:	See Detailed Description section for shelf locations.

The Minnesota Women's Political Caucus (MWPC) was formed in August 1971, just one month after the National Women's Political Causus was founded. Like the national organization, the MWPC's main goal was to increase the number of women in all aspects of poltical life. In addition, the MWPC's mission included taking action against sexism, racism, and ageism to protect and promote the economic, social and political status of women; working to ensure laws that support reproductive choice for all women; working to promote sliding fee child care; and working to pass an unamended Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Major activities included working to get women appointed to public policy positions, an annual convention for members, endorsing candidates for office, developing political action committees with other organizations, lobbying at the state capitol on legislation to benefit women, and coordinating fund raising events to support the mission of MWPC and to provide funding for endorsed candidates.

In 1978, the Minnesota Women's Education Council (MWEC) was formed as an adjunct to the Caucus to educate women on the political process and on issues that have political implications for women. Major MWEC activities included offering forums, workshops, and other educational programs to teach women how to effectively run for office, manage a campaign, or get appointed to a board or commission; planning an annual reception to recognize women appointed officials; and coordinating fund raising events to support MWEC programs.

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SCOPE AND CONTENTS

The collection consists of minutes, agendas, financial records, membership records, news releases, correspondence, and subject files of the Minnesota Women's Political Caucus, several local chapters, and its educational adjunct, the Minnesota Women's Educational Council. Records include bylaws, resolutions, endorsement guidelines, printed programs, brochures, invitations, and similar records. There are also records reflecting the Caucus's interest in other women's organizations in Minnesota and nationally, including the National Women's Political Caucus.

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ARRANGEMENT

These documents are organized into the following sections:


		Administrative Files.
		Financial Records.
		Membership.
		Publicity
		Subject, Chairs', and Other Miscellaneous Files.
		Local Chapter Files.
		Minnesota Women's Educational Council Files.

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ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Availability:

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Minnesota Women's Political Caucus Records. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.

Accession Information:

Accession number: 13,031; 13,061; 14,319; 15,407; 16,697

Processing Information:

Processed by: Lara D. Friedman-Shedlov, August 1999.

Additions by: David B. Peterson, November 2012.

Catalog ID number: 990017134320104294

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION

ADMINISTRATIVE FILES

Location

Box

147.C.20.2F

Bylaws, 1972-1978, 1984.

Steering committee members, 1973-1980.

Steering committee biographical information, 1988.

Correspondence, 1971-1977, 1983. 4 folders.

Minutes, agendas, and related papers, 1971-1988. 10 folders.

Includes treasurer's reports, budgets (see also Financial Records), and annual convention materials.

Advisory board, 1976-1978.

Consists mainly of material relating to the creation of the advisory board in 1976-1977.

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FINANCIAL RECORDS

Location

Box

147.C.20.2F

Budget, 1977.

Finance committee minutes, correspondence, reports, and related records, 1973-1975, 1980. 2 folders.

Minneapolis campaign financial disclosure ordinance, 1977.

Grant proposals, 1974.

Fund Raisers:

Miscellaneous fund raisers, undated and 1973-1975.

Lola Perpich reception, 1977.

Gourmet dinner, 1977.

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MEMBERSHIP

Location

Box

147.C.20.2F

Brochures, undated.

Membership lists, 1976-1977, 1987.

New member reports, 1974-1978.

Membership letters, undated and 1974-1978.

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PUBLICITY

Location

Box

147.C.20.2F

Resolutions, 1971-1977.

Press kit, undated.

News releases, 1972-1976.

News clippings, undated and 1972-1974.

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SUBJECT, CHAIRS', AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS FILES

Includes separate series of subject files compiled by two former chairs of MWPC, Marilyn Bryant and Jeanne Campbell.

Location

Box

152.E.1.2F

Convention information, 1974.

Endorsement procedures, 1973-1978.

Lobbying, 1974-1975.

Peer counseling, undated.

Seneca Falls celebrations, 1974-1980.

Miscellaneous papers, 1974-1981. 3 folders.

Marilyn Bryant Files:

Appointments, 1980.

Endorsed candidates, 1980.

Exploring the New Right conference, 1980.

Governor's reception for appointed women, 1979-1981.

Membership file, 1978-1980.

Minnesota Women's Political Caucus:

Bryant's newsletter articles, 1979-1981.

Contributors' luncheon programs, 1980-1987.

General, 1978-1981.

Media, 1979-1992.

Meeting files, 1979-1981, 1989, 1996.

Includes information about some national meetings.

Special events, 1979-1983.

Jeanne Campbell Files:

Annual meeting, 1987-1989.

Appointments, 1984, 1988.

Candidate training, 1988.

Caucus work, 1988.

Coalition of 15,000, 1987-1988.

Convention, 1988-1989.

Convention public relations, 1988-1989.

Endorsing, 1986-1988.

Fair Players/Good Guys, 1986-1989.

Founding Feminist Award, 1988, 1991.

History, 1987-1988.

Legal, 1988.

Member manual, 1986.

Shroeder, 1987-1988.

Speech to Unitarian women, 1988.

Steering committee, 1988-1989.

Survey, 1987.

Catherine Warrick, 1986-1987.

Women Candidate Development Coalition, 1987-1988.

Worldwide Women, 1988.

Miscellaneous papers, 1987-1988.

Location

Box

152.E.1.3B

Other organizations, 1972-1985. 4 folders.

Organizations include the Citizen's Advisory on the Status of Women (1972-1974), Political Rights Defense Fund (1975-1976), and the Women's Network.

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LOCAL CHAPTER FILES

Location

Box

152.E.1.3B

Hennepin County Women's Political Caucus, 1973-1976.

The Hennepin County branch was formed in 1973. Records include membership lists (1975-1976), flyers, newsletters, steering committee minutes, and other material.

Ramsey County Women's Political Caucus:

The Ramsey County branch was formed in 1973.

Bylaws, resolutions, and rules, 1973-1974.

Membership lists, 1975.

Minutes, 1973-1978.

Correspondence and miscellaneous papers, undated and 1973-1981.

Screening endorsements for political offices, 1974-1978.

Miscellaneous county branch membership lists, 1975.

Blue Earth-Nicollet Women's Political Caucus, 1973-1975.

Includes reports, corresondence, and bylaws.

Lincoln-Lyon County Women's Political Caucus, 1974-1975.

Includes bylaws, correspondence, and program flyer.

Moorhead Area Women's Political Caucus, 1975.

Includes membership lists, correspondence, and other materials.

South St. Louis County Chapter, 1976-1976.

Includes correspondence and reports.

Winona County Women's Political Caucus, 1974-1976.

The Winona County Branch was formed in 1974. Records include newsletters, membership lists, minutes, bylaws, and other materials.

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MINNESOTA WOMEN'S EDUCATION COUNCIL

Location

Box

152.E.1.3B

Articles of incorporation and history, undated.

Minutes and related papers, 1979-1983, 1987. 2 folders.

Press releases, 1981.

Run, Jane, Run workshop, November 19, 1983.

Running to Win! A Campaign Manual For Women Running For Office in Minnesota, 1985.

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RELATED MATERIALS

Newsletters of the Minnesota Women's Political Caucus (various titles), the Ramsey County chapter, and the Minnesota Women's Education Council are separately cataloged in the Minnesota Historical Society serials collection.

The papers of Carol Connolly, Joan Growe, Irene Gomez-Bethke, Jeri Rasmussen, and Myrtle Cain, all of which contain MWPC records, are separately cataloged in the Minnesota Historical Society manuscript collections.

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CATALOG HEADINGS

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Topics:: Feminism -- Minnesota.; Political participation -- Minnesota.; Sex discrimination against women -- Minnesota.; Women in politics -- Minnesota.; Women's rights -- Minnesota.

Persons:: Bryant, Marilyn Tickle.; Campbell, Jeanne

Organizations:: Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.; Democratic Party (U.S.).; Hennepin County Women's Political Caucus.; Independent Republicans of Minnesota.; National Women's Political Caucus.; Ramsey County Women's Political Caucus.; Republican Party (United States : 1854- ).

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