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P.K. Yonge Library of Florida History |
National Organization of Women
Records of Florida Chapters
Series 3; Equal Rights Amendment [ERA]
The ERA series (7 boxes) reveals the struggle by Florida NOW and other groups to obtain ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment from the Florida Legislature. The records reflect many direct activities undertaken by Florida NOW, legislative and political actions, the involvement of National NOW, the networking of Florida NOW with other pro-ERA organizations and with the various coalition groups established to coordinate pro-ERA with the work, including ERA Florida, and general pro- and anti- activity in the State. Papers from one such group, ERA '74, apparently were left the Florida NOW legislative coordinator and are included with the collection here. A set of the papers deal with the national convention boycott of Florida, the Florida NOW induced tourist boycott, and with other boycott attempts. The ERA Countdown Campaign records show the many actions to obtain ratification during the year preceding the June, 1982, deadline. A set of public opinion polls by Lou Harris is included. The principal business of Florida NOW during the decade covered by these records was the struggle to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. Although this series of records is devoted exclusively to ERA, the topic is pervasive throughout the whole of the records. Much of the coordinators' and legislative officers' correspondence revolve around the ERA, and it was the stimulus for much of the legislative intelligence gathering and other activities. Information relevant to ERA can be found in virtually any part of the papers.
ERA campaigns, Florida and National NOW Activities and Records, (21 folders) 1973 - 1982:
Box 13:
ERA Campaign Activities (by year):
1. Florida Now ERA Direct Mail Campaign [fundraising], 1973-74.
2. Florida Now Statewide Action Plan for Opening Day ERA 'Rally in Tally', [1974].
3. Florida Parades for the ERA (April 14, 1975) - Correspondence, Planning Documents, etc.
4. Florida Parades for the ERA (1975) - Margaret Barovich's file.
5. Florida Parades for the ERA(1975) - Financial records.
6. Florida Parades for the ERA (1975) - Newspaper clippings.
7. Florida Parades for the ERA (1975) - Program, songbook, reminiscences.
8. Florida Parades for the ERA (1975) - Remarks of Reubin O'D. Askew ... to E.R.A. Supporters, Tallahassee, ... April 14, 1975.
9. Celebrity Visits in Florida for ERA, 1977.
10. Florida NOW ERA Caravan (1977) - Background information, correspondence, 1977.
11. Florida NOW ERA Caravan (1977) - Planning, Publicity, 1977.
12. Florida NOW ERA Caravan (1977) - Schedules and Program for Tallahassee Rally (March 9), 1977.
13. Florida NOW ERA Caravan (1977) - Packet of Pro-ERA material, 1977.
14. ERA Letter Writing Campaign, 1977.
15. ERA Vigil (Tallahassee, 1977) General Information, March- April, 1977.
16.Papers Collected for a Scrapbook of ERA Campaign Activities, 1977.
17. National ERA March on Washington (Alice Paul Memorial March) July 9, 1978.
18. "Project Radio ERA"; memo, August 5, 1978.
19. ERA Fundraiser - Gloria Steinem Visit, 1979.
20. National Walk-a-thon for Equal Rights Kit, 1979.
21. ERA YES. ERA National Outreach Campaign Kit [1981?]
Box 14:
Equal Rights Amendment - NOW Activities and Records (28 folders) 1973 - 1982 (Continued): Administrative Papers: Budgets, Correspondence, documents, financial records, etc., by date (Includes transactions with National NOW 1974 - 1980
1. NOW ERA Emergency Fund, Correspondence and financial records, 1974-1975.
2. National NOW Campaign for Unratified States (1975) Correspondence and records, 1974-1975.
3. Florida NOW ERA Strategy Meetings and ERA Strategist Newsletter, 1974-1975.
4. Florida NOW - ERA Strategy Report and Budget, 1975.
5. ERA - Budget Sheets and Financial Arrangements with National NOW - Correspondence, records, 1976-1977.
6. Correspondence with National NOW, 1976-1977.
7. National NOW ERA Strike Force. "The Florida Report," 1977.
8. Florida NOW Miscellaneous Correspondence and records re: ERA, [n.d.] June, 1977-[Dec.] 1978.
9. Florida NOW Budget, correspondence, plan, etc. for ERA Vote in 1979 (Operation Outreach, ERA Strike Force, letters to E. Smeal and National NOW), 1978.
10. Florida NOW. ERA Legislative Strategy, 1979 Session, Nov., 1978 - May, 1979.
11. Smith, Barbara. Letters to Eleanor Smeal re: ERA ratification and boycott in Florida, 1978-1979.
12. Florida NOW ERA Update, ERA Media Proposal, Ratification Overview, and Report of Meeting with National NOW, 1979.
13. Pinzel, Bonnie. Memo to Eleanor Smeal re: Reuben Askew and ERA, [1982?].
14. Summary of Telephone conversation between Ellie Smeal and Eileen Cudney, Sept. 24, 1980.
Legislative and Political Activities, 1973-1982:
15. Coolman, Karen. "Analysis of the Florida House Vote on the ERA-1973," and Record of votes, 1973. Includes a second copy with memo by Margaret [Menzel?] attached, July 10, 1973.
16. "ERA, 1975," Memorandum to Margaret Barovich, President, Florida NOW, from Nikki Beare, Florida NOW Lobbyist for the 1975 Session.
17. Correspondence between R. L. Berg and Florida's U.S. Senator and Representatives on ERA Extension Resolution, Nov. 1977-Oct., 1978.
18. Material on the ERA Extension Resolution from Florida and National NOW, [1977-1978].
19. Florida NOW ERA Activities, 1978 Legislative Session, 1978.
20. Florida NOW. ERA Testimony to the [Florida] Senate Rules Committee, April 4, 1979.
21. Mixson, Wayne (Lt. Governor). Press Release and copy of letter to Gov. Graham re: Mixson's support for the ERA, March 14, 1980.
22. ERA Strategy - Status Meeting with Governor Graham by Lis Handley, April 23, 1980.
23. Graham, Robert (Governor) Memoranda on Graham's political background [by Ruth Whitney?] September, 1980.
24. Graham, Robert (Governor) Letters to [Florida NOW members?] on support for ERA, 1981-1982.
25. Chiles, Lawton. Letter to Mary Tomlinson re: abortion, ERA, etc., Feb. 18, 1982.
26. Askew, Reubin. Memorandum of Meeting with Askew by P[atricia] I[reland] on passage of ERA, March 18, 1982.
27. Graham, Robert. Constituent Visit Report Forms of Meetings with Graham. Also reports of meeting with Adele Graham and Lt. Gov. Mixson, 1982.
Miscellaneous:
28. "Bribery v. Political Contribution in Florida," legal memo re: NOW contributions and ERA vote. [Original label: Lippmann & Hart - bribery law memo, March 22, 1982
Box 15:
Coalition Groups (17 folders) 1973-1981:
1. League of Women Voters (Florida) - Correspondence with Florida NOW and Records of ERA Coalition Meeting, Sept. 15, 1973, June - Sept., 1973.
2. ERA-74 - Records of coalition formed to ratify ERA in Florida in 1974, Sept. - December, 1973.
3. ERA-74 - Records of coalition formed to ratify ERA in Florida in 1974, Jan, - [April?] 1974.
4. Florida State Coalition for ERA (1975-1976) - Financial Report, Aug., 1975-Feb., 1976.
5. Florida State Coalition for Equality [Originally named Florida '76-'77 Coalition] Records, Correspondence, Newsletter, etc., August, 1975 - June, 1976.
6. ERA Florida, Correspondence, records, etc., 1976.
7. ERA Florida, Correspondence, records, January - October, 1977.
8. ERA Florida - Miscellaneous papers relating to legislative strategy, 1976-1977.
9. ERA Information Center, Correspondence, records, Feb. - Nov., 1977.
10. ERA Media Campaign - Examples of advertisements, correspondence, notes, March - April, 1977.
11. Florida ACLU and Florida League of Women Voters. Memoranda re: coalition and other ERA issues, with annotations Florida NOW annotations, July-August, 1977.
12. Minutewomen of Florida vs. ERA Florida, NOW, and Edna Saffey [threatened suit] - Correspondence, clippings, newsletter, 1977.
13. Florida ERA Network, Inc. (1977-1978) Bylaws, Correspondence, Records, etc., Nov., 1977 - Nov., 1978.
14. Florida ERA Network, Inc. (1977-1978)ERA Newsnet, v. 1, no.1 --7, June - October, 1978.
15. State Working Group for ERA; Report from Mary [Lidkea] to Genece[Minshew], June 14 [1978?].
16. [ERA Florida, 1979-1980] Reports of ERA Groups Meetings, organized by Billie M. Bobbitt, Florida, Sept., 1979 - June, 1981, includes newsletter ERA Florida, nos. 1 - 2,March- June, 1981. Also called Florida State Organizations' Working Group.
17. Women's Equality Weekend (Tampa, April 11-12, 1981) sponsored by ERA Florida groups, March - May, 1981.
Box 16:
ERA Groups and General Records (37 folders),
1973-1982:
1. American Association of University Women, Florida Division. Memo from Mrs. R. E. Niffenegger on ERA ratification strategy, January 7, 1976.
2. Betty Friedan in Florida, 1977 - Newspapers Clippings, April 4 - 12, 1977.
3. Bobbitt, Billie M. "Equal Rights-Heritage of Democracy," August, 1980.
4 Butzin, Peter (Common Cause/Florida) Text of Speech on ERA, [ca. 1978?]
5. Catholics Act for ERA - Packet of Letters Sent to Dade County Legislators, March 15, 1982.
6. Common Cause in Florida. Memo RE: October as ERA Month for Common Cause, October 1, 1976.
7. "Drafting Women," WECA (Tallahassee’s) Television Editorial, March 22, 1979.
8. ERA and Feminist Songs from various sources, [ca. 197?].
9. ERA clippings from Florida newspapers, 1973 - 1977.
10. ERA clippings from Florida newspapers, 1978 - 1982.
11. ERA Coalition Senate District 5-6. Memo to Linda Vaughan and Marie Bowden [ERA Florida] April 22, 1977, and Memo on Successes and Suggestions for State Wide Action, May 7, submitted by Polly Doughty.
12. "ERA ... Equal Pay or Equal Gay," brochure from the Concerned Mothers Political Action Committee (Miami), [ca. 1977?].
13. Equal Rights Amendment: Boon for Women? or Boondoggle [anti-ERA pamphlet with rebuttal by staff of Florida NOW Legislative Office, 1977.
14. Ewing, Joseph R. Educational Program to Promote Passage of the ERA ... 1977.
15. Florida Farm Bureau Federation. Presentation of Mildred Rutherford to Florida House Health and Rehabilitative Services Committee, re: Opposition to ERA, Jan. 12, 1977.
16."Florida Legislature Votes against the Equal Rights Amendment," unsigned statement, [1977?].
17. "Florida Statutes Potentially Affected by the Equal Rights Amendment," prepared by the Big Bend Coalition to Support the ERA, March, 1975.
18. Florida Women's Political Caucus (including National Women's Political Caucus) Memos and election analysis, 1976.
19. Florida Women's Political Caucus Newsletter, v. 4, no.1, Jan., 1977.
20. Floridians for ERA. Membership material and Bulletin, 1979-1980.
21. Gainesville Organizations for the Equal Rights Amendment. Flyer and copy of petition, November, 1973.
22. Good Government Society. By-laws, correspondence, meeting reports, political analysis, and newsletter, 1977-1978.
23. Henderson, Warren (Fl. Senator). Position Paper on the Equal Rights Amendment, 1976.
24 Homosexual Marriages and ERA, opinions on same sex marriage by attorney general of Florida and other states, 1975-1977.
25. Mother's Day March for Equal Rights, 1978.
26. Panels for Equality (National Council of Jewish Women) - Text for pro-ERA seminars, [1973].
27. People Power. Press release, membership brochure, [1978?].
28. Pro-ERA Brochures and Statements from Florida Groups, [ca. 1973- ca.1982].
29. Pro-ERA brochures and statements from various sources, [1973?-1982?].
30. Psychic (Carol Ann Liaros) Prediction of ERA Victory, 1981.
31. Religious Committee for the ERA (New York) Prayer Vigil Kit, [1982?].
32. School Board of Collier County vs. Nadine Steele, teacher fired for taking off to participate in an ERA rally, with Florida NOW statement, 1977.
33. Steers, Jr., Newton I. (Maryland Senator) - Copy of mailgram to Mallory E. Horne (Florida Senate President) in Support of ERA, March 25, 1974.
34. [STOP ERA?] Fliers opposing ERA with notes on the verso, [1977?].
35. WCKT Sunbeam (Miami) - Television Commentary in Support of ERA, Feb. 3, 1977.
36. WKIS (Orlando) - Radio Commentary by Gene Burns in Support of ERA, April 7, 1975.
37. Wilson, Lori. Remarks of Senator Lori Wilson, April 10, 1974, and "Why ERA Is in Trouble in the South," (2 versions) address before the Florida Senate, April 13, 1977.
Box 17:
ERA Florida Boycott, and ERA Countdown Campaign
(38 folders) ,1977-1982:
1. Berg, Rebecca L., and Irving Cowan (Diplomat Hotel, Hollywood, Fl.) - Correspondence re: Boycott and ERA, Jan. 16-19, 1979.
2. Boycott Committee Proposal - Letter from Peggy Psaledakis, Co-chair, Florida Direct Action, to Ellie Smeal, August 11, 1981, submitting Boycott Committee Proposal, accompanied by portfolio of reports, correspondence, promotional material, clippings, etc., 1979-1981.
3. Boycott Committee Resolutions, no. 6-7; submitted by Orlando Area NOW, [1980?].
4. Boycott Correspondence, 1979.
5. Boycott Correspondence, 1980-1981.
6. "Boycott Florida for the ERA," envelope containing Standard Speech for E.R.A. Boycott and "Statistics on Tourism in Florida", [ ca. 1979].
7. "Calls to Action Teams, Re: Miami Beach," Phone Scripts re: lifting Miami Beach Boycott, [Feb., 1982?].
8. Citrus Boycott (Proposed), 1975-1976.
9. Citrus Boycott, (Proposed), 1981.
10. Correspondence and Records re: Boycott by non-NOW Organizations, 1978-1979.
11. Disney World. Correspondence between Disney World and Florida NOW officials and other material re: ERA and boycott, 1980-1981.
12. "ERA Boycott, or Personcott," TV Commentary (WECA-27) March 27, 1979.
13. ERA Boycott Packet: Letter from Boycott Committee, State Plan of Activities, Standard Speech, "The Fine Art of Picketing," pamphlet, and other material, March, 1980.
14. Florida NOW Boycott Press Releases and TV Editorial, 1980.
15. Florida NOW Boycott Newsletter, June, 1981.
16. Florida NOW. Memorandum to National NOW Officers and Board, re: Florida Now Boycott Campaign, Dec. 6, 1980.
17. Form cover letter s. Eileen K. W. Cudney requesting support for boycott with background, [ca. 1981].
18. Gordon, Jack. Letter to Eleanor Smeal, advising against statewide Florida boycott, November 25, 1977.
19. Hone, Ellen. Boycott Scenario, Proposed activities, approved by Orlando NOW, 1981.
20. National NOW Statements on Boycott and Kit, 1981.
21. Newspaper clippings re: Florida ERA Boycott, Oct., 1977- December, 1980.
22. Notes on Scheduled Florida Conventions and on Cancellations, 1978-1982 [ca. 1979].
ERA Countdown Campaign, 1981-1982:
23. Broward County Catholic Project; memo from Marie Laberge and Janine Beer to Eileen Cudney and Gloria Sackman-Reed, Jan. 28, 1982.
24. Broward County ERA Countdown Campaign- Miscellaneous records, 1982.
25. Capitol March for ERA (June 7, 1982) - Records of participating organizations, etc., 1982.
26. Case, Bettye Anne. "ERA Activities Conclude," statement for Association for Women in Mathematics Newsletter, July, 1982, with note to Gloria Sackman-Reed.
27. ERA Action Team Leaders in Florida, Jan. 20, 1982.
28. ERA Countdown Campaign - Announcement of Campaign, correspondence, list of team leaders, June - Dec., 1981.
29. ERA Countdown Campaign - Correspondence and documents re: ERA, Jan. - June, 1982.
30. ERA Countdown Campaign - Eleanor Smeal's Florida Speaking Tour (Nov. 30-Dec. 11, 1981) - Press Release, Correspondence, news clippings, etc., 1981.
31. ERA Countdown Campaign - Media Guidelines, Correspondence with Media, 1981-1982.
32. ERA Legislative Program, 1982. Material concerning ERA in the 1982 regular legislative session, Jan. - April, 1982.
33. ERA Lobby Days (March, 1982) including Lawyers' Lobby Day (March 24) - Miscellaneous materials.
34. ERA Missionary Project - Memo from Jean Conger to Pat Ireland, et al. re: Missionary Project. In a folder with Project promotional material, labeled "Team #4, Gloria Sackman-Reed," [1981],
35. ERA Missionary Project - Letter from Peggy Norman, Florida Coordinator, to Eleanor Smeal, Feb. 3, 1982, and Reports from Broward County, Dec., 1981 - Jan., 1982.
36. ERA Missionary Project - Letter from Peggy Norman, Florida Coordinator, to Gloria [Sackman-Reed] June 15, 1982, with final report on the project, June 4, 1982, and various project records, including analysis of southwestern Florida counties, Broward County Site Coordinator's Weekly Reports, clippings, and other correspondence, December, 1981 - June, 1982.
37. ERA Missionary Project - Project Update from Jean Conger to Ellie Smeal, Dec. 12, 1981, and other background on the Project, [1981?].
38. ERA Missionary Project (Pensacola) Site Coordinator's Reports, Jan., - Feb., 1982.
Box 18:
Countdown Campaign (Continued) and Lou Harris
Poll (25 folders):
1. ERA Radio Media Campaign - Correspondence, 1981-1982<./P>
2. Evangelical Women's Caucus - Pro-ERA Material and Records of Activities in Florida, 1982.
3. Florida Impact. Pro-ERA Materials sent to Florida legislators, 1982.
4. Florida NOW Communications to the National NOW Times re: ERA campaign and Senator Jack Gordon's illness with copy of telegram to Gordon, April, 1982.
5. Florida State Legislature Opening Day, January 18, 1982. Material describing various NOW lobbying activities, including reception and prayer vigil, 1982.
6. Florida State Legislature Special Session - Documents regarding ERA activities and final vote by legislature, 1982.
7. [Notes on Broward County ERA Support; transmitted by Marcia Niemann to Gloria Sackman-Reed; 1982].
8. Resolutions of political and labor groups supporting the ERA in Florida, 1981-[1982?].
9. South Florida NOW ERA Countdown Campaign. Correspondence with Media, 1981.
10. State of Florida ERA Countdown Project - Records of pro-ERA Coalition, including State Organizations Working Group, August, 1981-June, 1982.
11. [Senators Who Switched Vote on ERA]; memorandum from "Joy" to Gloria [Sackman-Reed] April 12, 1982, and background, [1970]-1982.
12. Susan B. Anthony Birthday, February 15, 1982 - Documents relating to NOW reception, participation of descendant's of Anthony and of Elizabeth C. Stanton and of U.S. Representative Pat Schroeder, Governor Graham's proclamation, and legislative day, 1982.
13-25. Harris, Lou, and Associates. A Study of Attitudes toward Passage of the Equal Rights Amendment in Florida ... Conducted for KNOW, Inc., (Study No. 822008 and 822031) February - June, 1982. Includes Results of a State-Wide Survey and Special Over sample of Ten Senate Districts and One Congressional District. Also includes Remarks of Louis Harris at a Tallahassee Press Conference, June 9. 1982 (13 folders).
Box 19:
Logs of Legislator's Positions on ERA, 1982 (1 binder and 2 folders).
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