Guide to the Archives of the League of Women Voters of Wichita

Collection Summary

Title: Archives of the League of Women Voters of Wichita
Call Number: MS 2000-1
Size: 4.0 linear feet
Acquisition: Donated in August of 1999 by a League representative. Additional material is expected and will be accessioned as received.
Processed by: ASM, 3/17/2000


Literary Rights

Literary rights were granted to Wichita State University. When permission is granted to examine manuscripts, it is not an authorization to publish them. Manuscripts cannot be used for publication without regard for common law literary rights, copyright laws and the laws of libel. It is the responsibility of the researcher and his/her publisher to obtain permission to publish. Scholars and students who eventually plan to have their work published are urged to make inquiry regarding overall restrictions on publication before initial research.

Content Note

The Archives of the League of Women Voters, 1948-1993, contains copies of annual reports to the state and national offices, minutes and agendas of board and annual meetings, financial reports, budgets, policies, by-laws, and membership information such as rosters and polls as well as statements (referred to as "Action Testimony") regarding the position taken by the League on various political issues. Also included are documents concerning the activities of the organization such as the Ombudsman Project, finance campaigns, and editorials to the Wichita Eagle. In addition to the newsletters: The Bulletin and The Voter, from 1948-1985, the collection contains publications such as membership directories, informational brochures, handouts, and booklets. Also part of the collection are brief histories of the League of Women Voters, newspaper clippings, and memorabilia.

Administrative History

By 1920 when the 19th Amendment to the constitution provided women the right to vote, members of the National American Women's Suffrage Association had, in 1919, formed a new organization: a National League of Women Voters that would "increase the effectiveness of women's votes in furthering better government." Jane Brooks, wife of attorney Charles H. Brooks of Wichita, held office from March, 1919 to February, 1920 as the first permanent chairman of the National League of Women Voters. In Wichita, Mrs. Brooks organized the Sedgwick County League of Women Voters, the first local League in the nation, and served as president from 1919 to 1921. The local chapter was referred to as the Sedgwick County League and the Wichita League of Women Voters interchangeably until 1941. There is no exact record of when the name of the organization officially became the League of Women Voters of Wichita.


The first efforts of the League of Women Voters of Wichita included programs such as free milk and fuel to needy families and "registration teas" to encourage women to register to vote and become League members. They began raising money through "bridge parties," rummage sales, and the opening of a thriftshop in 1920. In the 1930's and 40's the League continued their interest in community concerns as well as state and national issues and educated local voters about the war, U.S. trade relations, and especially local governmental issues. They began publication of informational pamphlets, had a Speaker's Bureau and held bi-monthly radio programs by the mid-50's. In the 60's, League members published a non-partisan voter's guide that was distributed in the Wichita Eagle and Beacon, and conducted candidate forums and interviews on local television and radio stations. The League began to sponsor "legislative dinners" for the Sedgwick County delegation in the 1970's, support the Equal Rights Amendment, and in 1975, allow men to become members. Throughout the 80's and 90's the League continued to provide information to voters in order to promote "political responsibility" in the form of videos, flyers, pamphlets, and participatory activities for the community. The many concerns that have been studied by the League range from the Kansas judicial system, state financing, local housing needs and urban renewal issues to national defense, education and environmental issues.

Series Listing

Series 1 Box 1, FF 1-20 Annual Reports, 1953-1984 (April 1 - March 31), prepared for submission to LWV state and national offices. Some also include president's annual report to the membership, rosters, brochures, newspaper clippings, and memorabilia (particularly 1968-79).
Series 2 Box 1, FF 21-31

Box 2, FF 1-2

Minutes of board meetings and annual membership meetings, 1953-1998; some of which include president's annual report to the membership, agendas, rosters, committee reports, budgets, and by-laws.
Series 3 Box 2, FF 3-5 Position Statements including the non-partisanship policy, 1960-77, and "Action Testimony" files consisting of the positions taken by the LWV on issues studied, i.e.: environmental quality, zoning issues, community development, etc., 1968-1979.
Series 4 Box 2, FF 6-38

Box 3, FF 1-6

Activities of the LWV including Ombudsman Project, 1973-1987, Finance Campaigns, 1974-75, 1978, 1984-87, Agriculture. Alternative Schools, Integration, Pupil Services and correspondence, publications, news clippings and

editorials concerning these activities.

Series 5 Box 3, FF 7-23

Box 4, FF 1-9

Publications including LWV newsletters (The Bulletin and The Voter) 1948-88, 1998-99, directories (1986-87, 88-89, 91-92), informational brochures, handouts, and booklets.
Series 6 Box 4, FF 10-16 Financial Records, 1967-1993
Series 7 Box 4, FF 17-18 Membership and Promotional Materials
Series 8 Box 4, FF 19 Historical Reference
Series 9 Box 4, FF 20 Newspaper Clippings

Box and Folder Listing

Series 1 -- Annual Reports
 
Box 1 FF 1 Annual Reports, April 1953 - March 1954, 1954-55, 1958-59, 1959-60
Box 1 FF 2 Annual Report, 1960 - 61
Box 1 FF 3 Annual Report, 1961 - 62
Box 1 FF 4 Annual Report, 1962 - 63
Box 1 FF 5 Annual Report, 1963 - 64
Box 1 FF 6 Annual Report, 1964 - 65
Box 1 FF 7 Annual Report, 1966 - 67
Box 1 FF 8 Annual Report, 1967 - 68
Box 1 FF 9 Annual Reports, 1968 - 69, 1969 - 70
Box 1 FF 10 Annual Report, 1970 - 71
Box 1 FF 11 Annual Report, 1971 - 72
Box 1 FF 12 Annual Report, 1972 - 73
Box 1 FF 13 Annual Report, 1973 - 74
Box 1 FF 14 Annual Report, 1974 - 75
Box 1 FF 15 Annual Report, 1975 - 76
Box 1 FF 16 Annual Report, 1976 - 77
Box 1 FF 17 Annual Report, 1977 - 78
Box 1 FF 18 Annual Report, 1978 - 79
Box 1 FF 19 Annual Report, 1979 - 80
Box 1 FF 20 Annual Report, 1980 - 81, 1981 - 82, 1983 - 84
 
Series 2 -- Minutes
Box 1 FF 21 Board and Annual meetings, Jan. 1954 - Dec. 1957
Box 1 FF 22 Board and Annual meetings, Jan. 1958 - Dec. 1960
Box 1 FF 23 Board and Annual meetings, Jan. 1961 - Dec. 1962
Box 1 FF 24 Board and Annual meetings, Jan. 1963 - Nov. 1964
Box 1 FF 25 Board and Annual meetings, Jan. 1965 - Nov. 1965
Box 1 FF 26 Board and Annual meetings, Jan. 1966 - Oct. 1967
Box 1 FF 27 Board and Annual meetings, Jan. 1968 - Feb. 1970
Box 1 FF 28 Board and Annual meetings, March 1984 - Sept. 1984
Box 1 FF 29 Board and Annual meetings, Oct. 1984 - Feb. 1985
Box 1 FF 30 Board and Annual meetings, Jan. 1998 - Oct. 1998
Box 1 FF 31 Annual meetings, 1977- 1979, 1981 - 1985
Box 2 FF 1 Annual meetings, 1986 - 1989
Box 2 FF 2 Annual meetings, May 1996
 
Series 3 -- Position Statements
Box 2 FF 3 Non-Partisanship Policy, 1960 - 1977
Box 2 FF 4 "Action Testimony," 1967-77
Box 2 FF 5 "Action Testimony," 1978
 
Series 4 -- Activities
Box 2 FF 6 Ombudsman Project, 1973-74 proposal
Box 2 FF 7 Ombudsman Project, 1974-75 proposal
Box 2 FF 8 Ombudsman Project, financial reports, September 1973 - January 1975
Box 2 FF 9 Ombudsman Projects, Advisory Committee meeting agendas and minutes, July 1973 - July 1974
Box 2 FF 10 Ombudsman Projects. Advisory Committee meeting agendas and minutes, July 1974 - June 1975
Box 2 FF 11 Ombudsman Project, employment agreements and facility lease
Box 2 FF 12 Ombudsman Project, August 1976 - June 1977, correspondence of Jim Wineinger, School Ombudsperson
Box 2 FF 13 Ombudsman Project, August 1977 - September 1977 correspondence of Jim Wineinger, School Ombudsperson, 1976-
Box 2 FF 14 Ombudsman Project, October 1977 - December 1977 correspondence of Jim Wineinger, School Ombudsperson, 1976-
Box 2 FF 15 Ombudsman Project, January 1978 - June 1978 correspondence of Jim Wineinger, School Ombudsperson, 1976-
Box 2 FF 16 Ombudsman Project, August 1978 - December 1978 correspondence of Jim Wineinger, School Ombudsperson, 1976-
Box 2 FF 17 Ombudsman Project, January 1979 - May 1979 correspondence of Jim Wineinger, School Ombudsperson, 1976-
Box 2 FF 18 Ombudsman Project, June 1979 - December 1979 correspondence of James Wineinger, School Ombudsperson, 1976-
Box 2 FF 19 Ombudsman Project, January 1980 - May 1980 correspondence of Jim Wineinger, School Ombudsperson, 1976- (includes Wineinger resume)
Box 2 FF 20 Ombudsman Project, June 1980 - May 1981 correspondence of Jim Wineinger, School Ombudsperson
Box 2 FF 21 Ombudsman Project, June 1981 - May 1982 correspondence of Jim Wineinger, School Ombudsperson, 1976-
Box 2 FF 22 Ombudsman Project, June 1982 - May 1983 correspondence of Jim Wineinger, School Ombudsman
Box 2 FF 23 Ombudsman Project, June 1983 - May 1984 correspondence of Jim Wineinger, School Ombudsman
Box 2 FF 24 Ombudsman Project, June 1984 - May 1985 correspondence of Jim Wineinger, School Ombudsman
Box 2 FF 25 Ombudsman Project, June 1985 - May 1986 correspondence of Jim Wineinger, School Ombudsman
Box 2 FF 26 Ombudsperson 1986-87 Annual Report, June 1987
Box 2 FF 27 Finance Campaign documents and correspondence, 1970-76, 78-79
Box 2 FF 28 Finance Campaign documents and correspondence, 1982-84
Box 2 FF 29 Finance Campaign documents and correspondence, 1985
Box 2 FF 30 Finance Campaign documents and correspondence, 1986
Box 2 FF 31 Finance Campaign documents and correspondence, 1987
Box 2 FF 32 1989 Fund raising endorsement letter by D. Cramer Reed, M.D.; includes mailing lists
Box 2 FF 33 Proclamation and Resolution regarding "Meet Your City Government" day, November 24, 1964
Box 2 FF 34 WSU Unit, 1984
Box 2 FF 35 Legislative dinners, 1972 - 1977
Box 2 FF 36 Editorials, 1986 - 1988
Box 2 FF 37 Correspondence to Mary Wehrheim from Dan Glickman, July 1987; Louanna Honeycutt, Nov 1987; and KPTS, May 1988
Box 2 FF 38 Agricultural Study, 1997 - 1998 with clippings and reports
Box 3 FF 1 Alternative Learning Task Force, 1976 - 1977 with clippings, correspondence and reports
Box 3 FF 2 Alternative Schools, 1976 - 1978 with correspondence and reports
Box 3 FF 3 Integration, 1970 - 1972 with clippings, correspondence and reports
Box 3 FF 4 Integration, 1971 clippings
Box 3 FF 5 Pupil Services, 1973 with clippings, correspondence and reports
Box 3 FF 6 Pupil Services, 1975 with clippings, correspondence and reports
 
Series 5 -- Publications
Box 3 FF 7 Newsletter: Bulletin, Jan 19?; May, Sept 1948; Jan, Apr, June, Oct 1949; Jan 1950; Jan, Apr 1952; Mar, Apr, May, Sept, Oct, Nov 1954; Jan, Feb, Apr, Sept, Oct 1955
Box 3 FF 8 Newsletter: Bulletin, Jan 1956 (numbering begins with April 1956: vol. 1) - March 1958 (vol. 2, no. 10)
Box 3 FF 9 Newsletter: Bulletin, vol. 3, no. 1 (April 1958) - vol. 4, no. 2 (May 1959); The Wichita Voter, vol 4, no.3 (Sept 1959) - vol 4, no. 5 (Dec 1959)
Box 3 FF 10 Newsletter: The Wichita Voter, v. 5 - 6 (April 1960 - March 1963)
Box 3 FF 11 Newsletter: The Wichita Voter, v. 7 (April 1963 - March 1963)
Box 3 FF 12 Newsletter: The Wichita Voter, v. 8 (April 1963 - March 1965)
Box 3 FF 13 Newsletter: The Wichita Voter, v. 9 (April 1965 - March 1966)
Box 3 FF 14 Newsletter: The Wichita Voter, v. 10-11 (April 1966 - March 1968)
Box 3 FF 15 Newsletter: The Wichita Voter, v. 13 (April 1968 - March 1970)
Box 3 FF 16 Newsletter: The Wichita Voter, v. 13-14 (April 1970 - March 1972)
Box 3 FF 17 Newsletter: The Wichita Voter, v. 15 (April 1972 - March 1973)
Box 3 FF 18 Newsletter: The Wichita Voter, v. 16 (April 1973 - March 1974)
Box 3 FF 19 Newsletter: The Wichita Voter, v. 17 (April 1974 - March 1975)
Box 3 FF 20 Newsletter: The Wichita Voter, v. 18 (April 1975 - March 1976)
Box 3 FF 21 Newsletter: The Wichita Voter, v. 19 (April 1976 - March 1977)
Box 3 FF 22 Newsletter: The Wichita Voter, v. 20 (April 1977 - March 1978)
Box 3 FF 23 Newsletter: The Wichita Voter, v. 21 (April 1978 - March 1979)
Box 4 FF 1 Newsletter: The Wichita Voter, v. 22 (April 1979 - March 1980)
Box 4 FF 2 Newsletter: The Wichita Voter, v. 23, no.7 (Dec 1980) - v. 25, no. 9 (Dec 1982)
Box 4 FF 3 Newsletter: The Wichita Voter, v. 25, no. 12 (March 1983) - March 1984
Box 4 FF 4 Newsletter: The Wichita Voter, April 1984 - March 1985
Box 4 FF 5 Newsletter: The Wichita Voter (bound), April 1985 - May 1986
Box 4 FF 6 Newsletter: The Wichita Voter (bound), June 1986 - May 1988 (copies are bound from 1988 to 1986)
Box 4 FF 7 Newsletter: The Wichita Voter, October - November 1998, April - May 1999
Box 4 FF 8 LWV of Wichita directories (1986-87, 88-89, 91-92, 1997-98, 1999), informational brochures, handouts, and booklets
Box 4 FF 9 LWV of United States publications
 
Series 6 -- Financial Records
Box 4 FF 10 Accountant's Reports, April 1959 - March 1962, April 1964 - March 1966
Box 4 FF 11 Treasurer's Reports, January 1967 - August 1968
Box 4 FF 12 Treasurer's Reports, January 1978 - December 1982
Box 4 FF 13 Treasurer's Reports, January 1984 - December 1985
Box 4 FF 14 Treasurer's Reports, January 1986 - September 1989
Box 4 FF 15 Treasurer's Reports, July 1990 - December 1994
Box 4 FF 16 Insurance Policy issued November, 1988
 
Series 7 -- Membership and Promotion
Box 4 FF 17 Membership and promotional materials including membership polls (1982-1984), brochures, membership application (c. 1987), and booklets outlining the history, purpose, principles and structure of the organization.
Box 4 FF 18 Membership notebook with surveys, phone lists, meeting rules, membership information, forms and other items
 
Series 8 -- Historical Reference
Box 4 FF 19 Historical reference including published booklets History of the Wichita League of Women Voters, 1957 and Forty Years of a Great Idea: League of Women Voters of the United States (1960); manuscript ...And the Ladies of the League: A History of the Wichita League of Women Voters from 1919-1985; and photocopies of the January 1924 issue of Progress: Official Voice of Kansas League of Women Voters, published in Wichita.
 
Series 9 -- Newspaper Clippings
Box 4 FF 20 Newspaper clippings (1973-1985) concerning issues in which leaguers were involved, promotional articles, candidate debates, and articles providing voting information, including a 1966 copy of "Voter's Guide."