League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area records, 1948-2014, #C0031
Dublin Core
Title
League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area records, 1948-2014, #C0031
Description
The League of Women Voters (LWV) was founded in 1920 by Carrie Chapman Catt, a leader in the women's suffragist movement. Its purpose is to encourage citizens to participate actively in government by supporting the party of their choice. While the LWV is a nonpartisan organization, and therefore does not support individual candidates, it does take a position on issues of a national, state, and local scale selected by the membership. Such issues of the past included support for a minimum wage, child labor laws, and equal opportunity for women in government.
In Virginia, the LWV began as the Equal Suffrage League, which worked diligently for the ratification of the nineteenth amendment. The Equal Suffrage League joined the national LWV and created a state league. The first local league in Virginia was established in Richmond, followed by chapters in Alexandria and Arlington.
The League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area (LWVFA) was granted full league status in 1948. However, the LWVFA of the present day was established in 1964 after the town of Fairfax became a city in 1961 and thus a separate governmental jurisdiction from the County of Fairfax.
The League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area Records contains material from the LWVFA's activities from 1948-2013, including studies, information on political issues, meeting minutes, newsletters, correspondence, and photographs. The collection is organized in 9 series for easy use and research. The 9 series are: Board Meetings and Minutes, Programs, Publications, Correspondence, Conventions and Meetings, Subject Files, Oral History, Photographs, and Oversized.
In Virginia, the LWV began as the Equal Suffrage League, which worked diligently for the ratification of the nineteenth amendment. The Equal Suffrage League joined the national LWV and created a state league. The first local league in Virginia was established in Richmond, followed by chapters in Alexandria and Arlington.
The League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area (LWVFA) was granted full league status in 1948. However, the LWVFA of the present day was established in 1964 after the town of Fairfax became a city in 1961 and thus a separate governmental jurisdiction from the County of Fairfax.
The League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area Records contains material from the LWVFA's activities from 1948-2013, including studies, information on political issues, meeting minutes, newsletters, correspondence, and photographs. The collection is organized in 9 series for easy use and research. The 9 series are: Board Meetings and Minutes, Programs, Publications, Correspondence, Conventions and Meetings, Subject Files, Oral History, Photographs, and Oversized.
Creator
League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area
Publisher
George Mason University Libraries
Date
1948-2014
Relation
https://scrc.gmu.edu/finding_aids/lwvfa.htm
Collection Items
Members of the League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area posing for a photograph
Members of the LWVFA pose for a photograph in early 1900s garb to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the organization in 1995.
To Keep the Waters Troubled: The Life of Ida B. Wells
Cover to a biography of suffragist and civil rights activist Ida B. Wells. This copy includes notes by C-SPAN founder Brian Lamb for his interview with the author on his program Booknotes.
Backround information on the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the 1982 Amendment
Leaflet produced by the League of Women Voters of Montgomery County, Virginia for League members. The leaflet explains the background of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and discusses action the league planned to take in support of the Act's 1982…
League of Women Voters of the United States memo on the Voting Rights Act extension of 1982
Memo from the national leadership of the League of Women Voters to state and local League presidents celebrating the outcome of the House of Representatives' vote to pass the 1982 extension to the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
GMU News Release about political debates
American Forensic Association chooses GMU faculty, Warren Decker, for Ad Hoc Committee for Public Political Debates. This group worked with the League of Women Voters to promote debates pertaining to political issues.
Letter of support for equal pay from Sue Anderson, President of the League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area
Letter urging Virginia legislators to support HJR 35 - which at the time was a bill supportive of equal pay - from Sue Anderson, President of the League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area.
"Your Legal Rights as a Woman: A Handbook for Virginians"
!["Your Legal Rights as a Woman: A Handbook for Virginians"](https://masonlibraries.gmu.edu/scrcdigital/files/square_thumbnails/86358a1db8a1fb6970d3d38cb590f316.jpg ""Your Legal Rights as a Woman: A Handbook for Virginians"")
A guide for Virginian women on their rights guaranteed by law. Publication was created and published by the Virginia Law Women, a group established to make Virginia women aware of their legal rights. Many women during this time did not understand…
Voting window poster
Posters like this were handed out by suffragists and voting activists to encourage women to register to vote. They were hung in the windows of homes, informing those who walked past of the resident's voter status.
"Votes for Women" pennant
!["Votes for Women" pennant](https://masonlibraries.gmu.edu/scrcdigital/files/square_thumbnails/d1da1cad7a4073e2e19c7e601b993238.jpg ""Votes for Women" pennant")
Yellow pennant with black lettering that reads "Votes for Women." These kinds of pennants were used to make a statement about an individual's support of an issue, in this case, women's voting rights. Pennants were often carried in marches or rallies,…
Buttons worn by League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area members
Buttons worn by League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area members to inform others of their stance on political issues, including women's rights and the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA).