Overview of the Collection
League of Women Voters of the Syracuse Metropolitan Area
Onondaga County Public
Library
Local History & Genealogy Department
447 South Salina
Street
Syracuse, New York, 13202
(315) 435-1900
English
League of Women Voters of the Syracuse
Metropolitan Area Collection
1936-2016
8.3 linear ft.
## insert unique identifier here
League of Women Voters (LWV) of the
Syracuse Metropolitan Area formed in the early 1920's, shortly after the League of
Women Voters of New York was created. This collection contains the LWV of the
Syracuse Metropolitan Area's administrative files, publications, scrapbooks,
photographs and ephemera.
Administrative History
The League of Women Voters Through the Years
The Founding: From the spirit of the suffrage movement came a great idea that a
non-partisan, civic organization could provide the education and experience the
public needed to assure the success of democracy. Women were given the right to vote
in New York when voters approved an amendment to the State Constitution on November
6, 1917. The League of Women Voters of NYS was founded in 1919. Shortly after the
League of omen Voters of Onondaga County (later changed to Syracuse Metropolitan
LWV) held its first meeting. Organized on the National, State and Local level the
League has strived to "Make Democracy Work"
The 1920's - The first League National Convention voted 69 separate items as
statements of principle and recommendations for legislation including support for
collective bargaining, child labor laws, a minimum wage, a joint federal-state
employment service, compulsory education and equal opportunity for women in
government and industry.
The 1930's - The League took a firm position in support of U.S. membership in the
League of Nations and launched a nation-wide campaign for support of the merit
system and placed them under civil service.
The 1940's - The League's primary efforts during the war years centered on support
for price control, rationing, and higher income taxes. The Dumbarton Oaks proposals
for the establishment of the United Nations became the focal point for most vigorous
citizen education effort ever undertaken by the League.
The 1950's - The witch hunt of the early fifties inspired the League to undertake a
two-year community education program focusing on the individual liberties guaranteed
by the Constitution.
The 1960's - In response to the growing civil rights crisis the League directed its
energies to equality of opportunity and built a solid foundation of support for
equal access to education, employment and housing.
The 1970's - The League's 1972 convention overwhelmingly approved support for
ratification of the equal rights amendment. Two years later, League membership was
broadened to include men.
The 1980's - The League was in the forefront of the struggle to pass the Voting
Rights Act Amendments of 1982 and contribute significantly to the enactment of the
historic Tax Reform Act of 1986.
The 1990's - The League launched "Take Back the System", a voter campaign to reclaim
government elections.
The 21st Century - The League was instrumental in the enactment of the Help America
Vote Act of 2002. The 21st Century holds promise for a strong vibrant organization
dedicated to "Making Democracy Work." The League continues the fight for equal
rights for all; protecting and engaging voters; reforming money in politics a
quality education for our children and defending the environment.
The League history contributed by Joan Johnston, League of Women Voters of the
Syracuse Metropolitan Area member, 2017.
Scope and Contents of the Collection
The collection comprises archival materials relating to the League of Women Voters of
the Syracuse Metropolitan area. Items date from 1936 to 2017, (bulk dates 1980-2017) along with numerous
undated materials. There are six main categories of the collection: general files,
publications, scrapbooks, plaques and certificates, photographs, and miscellany.
Each series is organized into narrower sub series and then arranged
chronologically.
Series 1: This series contains general files for the LWV of the Syracuse Metropolitan
Area. This includes administrative files for the LWV. Additionally, this series
contains the subject files of the LWV, topics of interest, study and advocacy.
Series 2: This series includes publications by the LWV, including publications by the
national LWV, the NYS LWV and the Syracuse Area LWV. Included are publications by
others that were of interest to the League.
Series 3: The series includes scrapbooks on the activities of the LWV of the Syracuse
Metropolitan Area. Included are photographs, pamphlets, newspaper clippings and
other memorabilia.
Series 4: The series includes plaques and certificates awarded to the LWV of the
Syracuse Metropolitan Area.
Series 5: The series includes photographs of the activities and members of the LWV of the Syracuse Metropolitan
Area, as well as photographs of important women and events
related to the women’s suffrage movement.
Series 6: The series includes miscellany, containing items such as pens, buttons and
wristbands.
Arrangement of the Collection
The collection is arranged into series based on broad subject categories. Series are
further divided into sub series, specifying particular publications, organizations,
topics and events. Within each sub series, items are arranged into folders.
Related Material
The Local History and Genealogy Department has other materials about the
League of Women Voters. Please view the online catalog www.onlib.org or contact the
library for further information.
Access Restrictions
Patron must have a valid OCPL library card.
Use Restrictions
User must use materials in the Local History and Genealogy Department of
OCPL.
Permission must be obtained from staff for reproduction of any
materials.
Women's studies
Voting
Women--suffrage
Local government--New York (State)--Onondaga
County
Women--Political activity--New York
(State)
Social problems--New York
(State)--Syracuse
Civil rights--New York
(State)--Syracuse
Public welfare--New York (State)--Onondaga
County
League of Women Voters (Syracuse,
N.Y.)
Booklets.
Certificates.
Clippings.
Correspondence.
Photographs.
Publications.
Syracuse (N.Y.)--Politics and
government
Onondaga County (N.Y.)--Politics and
government
Syracuse (N.Y.)--History.
Syracuse (N.Y.)--Social life and
customs.
Preferred Citation
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
League of Women Voters of the Syracuse Metropolitan Area Collection
Onondaga
County Public Library
Local History and Genealogy Department
MS-38
Acquisition Information
Gift from League of Women Voters of the Syracuse Metropolitan Area.
Inventory
General Files
Administrative Files
Annual Reports, 1994-2016
1
1
Board Minutes, 1991-2015
1
2-10
By Laws, 1960, 1970, 1972, 1982,
1983, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1997,2000, 2011 undated
1
11
Contributions Report, 1994-2003
1
12
History of the League and League Anniversary Celebrations,
1923-2010
1
13-18
Subject Files
Advocacy, 2009-2010
1
19
Balancing Justice, 2000-2001
1
20-21
Budget Reform - New York State, 1992-2004
1
22-23
Campaign Finance Reform, 1988-2003
1
24
Campaign for Fiscal Equity, 2001
1
25
Charter Schools Information, 2005, undated
2
1
Citizens Fact Checkers, 2007-2008
2
2
City Discrimination Law, 1998
2
3
Community Courts, 2000, undated
2
4
Constitutional Reform, 1997-1998
2
5
Copyrights, 1976-1983
2
6
County Wide Assessment, 1992-1998
2
7
Death Penalty Study, 2004
2
8
Domestic Violence, 1987-1996
2
9
Elaine Lytel Tribute, 2000
2
10
Election Guide, 2008
2
10A
Fair Practices Comm., 1993-2008
2
11-18
Financing Education, 1961-2006
2
19-20
Financing Higher Education, 1998-1999
2
21
First Time Voter Registration, 2012
2
22
Focus Greater Syracuse, 1999-2001
2
23
Study: From Arrest to Sentencing - Background, 2002
2
24
Study: From Arrest to Sentencing - Minutes, Correspondence,
2001-2003
2
25
Study: From Arrest to Sentencing - Interviews, 2001-2002
2
26
Government Modernization LWVNYS Study, 2009-2010
2
27
Health Issues, 1984-2000
2
28
Health Care Issues in Central New York, undated
2
29
Help America Vote Act, HAVA, 2003
2
26
Lakefront Development, 1994-2000
3
1
Law Day, 2006
3
2
Legislative Visits, 1989-1996
3
3
Living Wage, 2002
3
4
Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation, 2002
3
5
Natural Resources, 1987-1997
3
6
Dr. Nave, 2006
3
7
New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct, 1986-2001
3
8
New York State Constitutional Convention, 1967-1997
3
9
New York State Lobby Reform, 1996-1997
3
10
New York State Senate Rules Change Testimony, 2009
3
11
Observers Guides, 1997-1999
3
12
Onondaga County Bar Association, 2001
3
13
Onondaga County Citizens League, 1981, 1985, 1991
3
14
Onondaga Lake Partnership Committee, 2000, 2002, 2004
3
15
Optical Scan and other voting technologies, 2005-2007
3
16
Pay Equity for Women, 2001-2003
3
17
Programs, 2009-2010
3
18
Public Relations, 1994
3
19
Racial and Gender Profiling, 2001-2002
3
19A
Recycling/Bottle Bill, 2005
3
20
Reproductive Rights, 1980-1983
3
21
St. Marie Among the Iroquois Fall Kick Off, 2007
3
22
Stephanie Minor Event, 2008
3
23
Strategic Plans, 1981-2002
3
24
Students in Albany, 2001-2003
3
25
Syracuse Federation of Women's Clubs, 2000-2001
3
26
Term Limits - Program/Studies, 2008-2015
3
27
Urban Sprawl, 1992-2010
3
28
Voice for Citizens, 2015
3
28A
Vote 411, undated
3
29
Voter Integrity - UIC, 2004-2007
3
29A
Voters Services, Miscellaneous, undated
3
30
Voting Machine Replacement, 2002-2006
3
31
Welfare Reform, 1990,
1996-1997
3
32
Women's Hall of Fame, 1996-1998
3
33
Publications
League of Women Voters Publications
Career Portfolio for Volunteers, 1980
4
1
The Citizen Lobbyist (Quick Start), undated
4
2
Citizen Lobbyist: a Guide to Action in Albany by Evelyn
Stock, 1976
4
3
Election Guides, 1991-2016
4
4-7
Engaging New Citizens as New Voters, 2008
4
8
First Vote: a Guide for New Voters in New York State,
undated
9
8A
Impact of Issues 2003-2005, 2006
4
9
Impact of Issues 2004-2006, 2006
4
9A
LWV Pamphlets, 1998-2016
4
10
Local Voices: Citizen Conversations on Civil Liberties and
Secure Communities, 2005
4
11
Local Voter: League of Women Voters Syracuse Metropolitan
Area, 197u -
70-71 - Loc News
Looking for Sunshine: Protecting Your Right to Know,
2006
4
12
Membership and Leadership Development Handbook, 2013
4
13
New York State: A Citizenship Handbook, 1979
4
14
Observing Your Government in Action: Protecting Your Right to
Know, 2007
4
15
Patterns of Government in Onondaga County, New York:
Structure and Services of County, City, Town and Village
Governments, 1970, 1981, 1996, 2006,
2012
4
16
Patterns of Government in Onondaga County, New York:
Teachers' Resource Guide, 1981
4
17
Safeguarding U.S. Democracy: Promoting an Independent
Judiciary by Defending the U.S. Constitution, 2006
4
18
Women in Action: Rebels and Reformers, 1920-1980 by Elisabeth
Israels Perry, 1995
4
19
Publications by others
Campaign Finance: An Illustrated Guide by Norm J. Ornstein,
Washington, DC: AEI Press, 1997
4
20
Civic Leadership for Community Transformation: 2001 Study,
Onondaga Citizens League, 2001
4
21
Geology of New York: A Short Account, Educational Leaflet 20,
Albany, NY: University of the State of New York, 1981
4
22
Housing and Neighborhoods: Tools for Change, Report 21,
Onondaga Citizens League, 2000
4
23
The Legacy of New York Women: Commemorating the Governor's
Commission Honoring the Achievements of Women, New York: Commission
Honoring the Achievements of Women, 1997
4
24
Local Campaign Finance Reform: Case Studies, Innovations, and
Model Legislation, Washington, D.C.: National Civil League,
1998
4
25
Addendum to Local Campaign Finance Reform: Additional Case
Studies, Washington, D.C.: National Civil League, 2001
4
25
National Civil Review, Making Citizens Democracy Work, vol.
90, #2, 2001
4
26
New York State Rail Plan: Working Draft, Albany, NY: NYS
Department of Transportation, 2008
4
27
Strategic Government Consolidation, Onondaga Citizens League
2005 Study Report #26, 2008
4
28
Scrapbooks
Onondaga County League of Women Voters
Scrapbook compiled by Frederica Smith, Chairman of Publicity,
1936-38
5
League of Women Voters of the Syracuse Metropolitan
Area
Scrapbook, 1976-2003
5
Scrapbook, 1981-1982
5
Plaques and Certificates
Awards
Framed awards, 1976,
2007
6, 7
Plaques, 1981-1982
7
Proclamations
Framed Proclamations, 1994,
2010
7
Recognition
Plaque, Recognition, 2010
7
Framed Certificate, 1982
7
Posters
Voting Posters, undated
7
Voting Banners, undated
7
Framed Posters, undated
7
Framed page copied from an autograph book from the National
Woman Suffrage Headquarters during the summer of 1876, undated
7
Photographs
Framed Photographs
Susan B. Anthony, undated
6
Carrie Chapman Catt, undated
6
Susan B. Anthony and Anna Howard Shaw, undated
6
Postcard, Marching for the vote, undated
6
Photographs
Miscellaneous Photographs, League of Women Voters of Syracuse
Metropolitan Area, undated,
2001
6
Miscellany
Ephemera
LWV Buttons, undated
5
Flag Place mats, undated
5
LWV Pens, undated
5
LWV Wristbands, undated
5