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Lee Kefauver Papers, 1970-1985 (majority within 1972-1977)
3.5 linear feet
The papers of Lee Kefauver document the local, state, and to some extent national activities and affiliations of a feminist activist during the turbulent 1970s. They reveal how groups of concerned organizations, both large and small, banded together to attempt to defeat anti-choice legislation and to defend the Equal Rights Amendment, and they illustrate some of the day to day business of these organizations. This collection contains information about small local organizations which may not be available elsewhere.
Organizations, circa 1970-1985
The Organizations series contains materials relating to political groups in which Ms. Kefauver was active or in which she had an interest. The Organizations series is arranged alphabetically. It includes information on groups such as the Feminist Bureau of Investigation, apparently a very small group which publicized Michigan politicians who had supported legislation favorable to women (in "Feminist Honor Roll" posters) and also awarded the "Keep-Em-Barefoot-&-Pregnant" Award to the politician who had sought to do the most harm to women through legislative action. Ms. Kefauver was particularly active in the League of Women Voters, both in the Dearborn Heights chapter and at the state level, and these documents reflect her involvement in the administration and activities of those organizations. In addition, she served on the League's Environmental Quality Commission and Foreign Relations Committee.
Also of note are the materials related to International Women's Year (IWY), the majority of which revolve around the 1977 National Women's Conference that took place in Houston, Texas. The goal of this conference was to create a 'Plan of Action' to present to both President Jimmy Carter and Congress. These files contain conference materials as well as some agendas, minutes, reports, and various collected pamphlets and booklets.
The National Organization for Women (NOW) is an organization of feminist grassroots activists. Although NOW has many chapters nationwide, the majority of the materials in this collection relate to NOW activities in the state of Michigan, particularly the legislative priorities of the Michigan Conference and the activities of the Detroit chapter.
Ms. Kefauver was also an active member of the Republican Party, serving as a delegate to the State Convention several times and as a member of the Issues Committee. The materials in these files reflect Ms. Kefauver's attempts to educate Michigan Republicans about the importance of women's issues, and so reflect the response (or lack thereof) of the Republican Party in Michigan to the emerging women's movement. However, the majority of the materials relating to the Republican State Committee demonstrate the routine kinds of communications between the party and its workers, and materials promoting specific candidates for state office. These documents make an interesting counterpoint with those reflecting Ms. Kefauver's participation in the Women's Equity Action League (WEAL). WEAL is "a nationwide women's rights organization founded in 1968 to promote greater economic progress on the part of American women, by investigating and seeking solutions to economic, educational, tax, and employment problems affecting women. WEAL lobbies and testifies on issues before Congress, writes legislation, and monitors the enforcement of laws, lawsuits, and federal regulations affecting women's rights" ("Position Description, Executive Director, Women's Equity Action League," December 1978, Folder: WEAL, National, 1978-1985). Ms. Kefauver served as State President of the Michigan chapter of WEAL and as such attended its national board meetings. She was also a registered lobbyist for WEAL and the "WEAL Michigan" folder contains extensive evidence of her communication with legislators and the press regarding legislation affecting women in Michigan.