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Virginia Wolf papers, 1974-1986

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Wolf, Virginia, 1924-2004
Title
Virginia Wolf papers
Dates
1974-1986 (inclusive)
Quantity
1 cubic feet
Collection Number
MG 492
Summary
Minutes, newspaper clippings, and convention programs collected by Virginia Wolf through her involvement with the Moscow Chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW).
Repository
University of Idaho Library, Special Collections and Archives
Special Collections and Archives
University of Idaho Library
875 Perimeter Drive
MS 2350
Moscow, ID
83844-2350
Telephone: 2088850845
libspec@uidaho.edu
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Languages
English
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Historical Note

Virginia (Ginny) Wolf was born 1 July 1924 in Morristown, Indiana.[1] She became a professor of physical education at the University of Idaho in 1964. While at the university she took an active role in addressing issues affecting women on campus. [2] After her retirement in 1982, she moved to Port Townsend, Washington where she was a dedicated supporter of the arts. She died 17 September 2004.[3]

Wolf served as the chair of the University of Idaho Women's Caucus. The Women's Caucus was established to identify the cause of a 25% drop out rate of female students at the university. Finding sexual harrasment and pay inequity to be major contributing issues, they filed a complaint with the Idaho Human Rights Commission and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 1973. This led to the signing of a Conciliation Agreement negotiated between the the Women's Caucus and the university detailing actions the university would take regarding gender issues, one of which was the creation of the Women's Center on campus.

In 1975, Wolf convened the Moscow, Idaho chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) and served as president two terms. The following year, the first ID NOW conference and Wolf was elected state coordinator.[5] She attended many local, regional, and national NOW conferences throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

NOW was established in 1966 by a group of women to challenge sex discrimination in American society. For over 5 decades the organization has lobbied, demonstrated, and used other means to address issues such as pregnancy leave, abortion rights, and pension rights. A major convern of NOW throughout the 1970s and 1980s was the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which has failed multiple times on the national level. Since NOWs inception, it has grown to include chapters in all 50 states.[6]

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Content Description

This collection contains minutes, newspaper clippings, and convention programs collected by Virginia Wolf through her involvement with the Moscow Chapter of the National Organization of Women. Materials date between 1974 to 1986.

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Use of the Collection

Preferred Citation

[Description of Item], Virginia Wolf papers, MG 492, Special Collections and Archive, University of Idaho Libary, Moscow, ID.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Original folder titles were maintained, except one folder "Minutes" was expanded to "Moscow Chapter Minutes" to futher describe the content. Materials without folders were put into folders and given a title. Also, when folders were overstuffed with materials, they were separated into multiple folders.

Acquisition Information

Materials were donated by Virginia Wolf via Kay Keskinen in 1995 (MA 1995-04).

Related Materials

Related materials may be found in Manuscript Group 455 the Betsy Thomas papers, 1918, 1960-2007.

Bibliography

[1] "Virginia Wolf, 80, Port Townsend." Moscow-Pullman Daily News, 23 Sept. 2004, dnews.com/local/virginia-wolf-80-port-townsend/article_65fec0fb-a3fe-5ce9-8900-8c9d4c52404d.html.

[2] "Women's Center Announces Recipients of the 2020 Virginia Wolf Distinguished Service Awards: News Break." News Break Moscow, ID, Uidaho.edu, 24 Mar. 2020, www.newsbreak.com/idaho/moscow/education/1533607474195/womens-center-announces-recipients-of-the-2020-virginia-wolf-distinguished-service-awards.

[3] "Virginia Wolf, 80, Port Townsend." Moscow-Pullman Daily News, 23 Sept. 2004, dnews.com/local/virginia-wolf-80-port-townsend/article_65fec0fb-a3fe-5ce9-8900-8c9d4c52404d.html.

[4] Spain, Allison. "Awarding Advocacy and Activism." The Argonaut, The Argonaut, 20 Feb. 2019, www.uiargonaut.com/2019/02/14/awarding-advocacy-and-activism/.

[5] Love, Barbara J. Feminists Who Changed America, 1963-1975. University of Illinois Press, 2006.

[6] The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. "National Organization for Women." Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 21 June 2019, www.britannica.com/topic/National-Organization-for-Women.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

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Subject Terms

  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Women's rights

Corporate Names

  • National Organization for Women
  • National Organization for Women. Northwest Region

Geographical Names

  • Idaho
  • Moscow (Idaho)

Finding aid prepared by Courtney Berge
2020

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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