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Zelda K. Boulanger papers, 1931-2006

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Boulanger, Zelda K.
Title
Zelda K. Boulanger papers
Dates
1931-2006 (inclusive)
Quantity
10.98 cubic feet (15 boxes)
Collection Number
6204 (Accession No. 6204-001)
Summary
Papers of Zelda Boulanger, many documents related to her work with the Washington State chapters of the National Organization for Women (NOW) and the Siwanu Toastmistress Club of Seattle.
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

No restrictions on access.

Request at UW

Languages
English
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Biographical Note

Zelda Kurt Boulanger served with numerous organization dedicated to women’s rights and professional development in the Seattle area. Boulanger was born on June 4, 1916, in South Fork, North Dakota. After graduating from high school, she worked in civil service in Nome, Alaska. She married Ernest Boulanger in Nome on January 27, 1940, and the couple moved to the Seattle area in 1942. They had two children, Coralee Stephenson and Michael Boulanger. Zelda and Ernest were business partners with the Smith Brothers as owners of Smith Tractor in Fife, Washington.

Boulanger was the founding president of the Seattle Chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW), which was organized in 1970. Boulanger was also a founding member and president of the Siwanu Chapter of International Toastmistress Club (ITC) and served as Northwest Regional Supervisor and International Director for ITC. She was a board member for the Traveler’s Aid Society, the Women’s Division of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce, and the Seattle Handicapped Club. Boulanger served as president of the Past President’s Assembly and the Seattle/King County Civil Defense’s Welfare Coordinator for South King County. She was a founding member of the Highline Chapter of the Business and Professional Women’s Club and the Angle Lake Shore Club. Boulanger was also involved with The Presidents’ Forum, the Federal Way Athletic Club, Santa Fair, Inc., Epsilon Sigma Alpha, the United Service Organizations’ Military Lounge, the International Reading Association, the Council on Aging, and the National Association of Parliamentarians.

Boulanger was listed as one of the 150 "Most Influential People in Seattle/King County History" in a 2001 Seattle Times article. In 1974, she was asked to take Representative Paul Barden’s seat in the Washington State legislature after his election to the Seattle City Council; she declined. Boulanger was one of the first eleven women that the Civil Air Defense selected to visit missile bases throughout the United States and Mexico, as well as one of the first women to visit the base at Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Boulanger died on March 20, 2012, in Tacoma, Washington.

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Content Description

Materials related to the life of Zelda K. Boulanger. A sizable portion of these documents relate to her work in Washington chapters of the National Organization for Women (NOW) and the Siwanu Toastmistress Club of Seattle.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Creator's copyrights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries Special Collections.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Arranged in 19 series.

  • Series 1, Personal
  • Series 2, Angle Lake Shore Club
  • Series 3, Council on Aging
  • Series 4, Epsilon Sigma Alpha
  • Series 5, Federal Way Athletic Club
  • Series 6, Highline Business and Professional Women's Club
  • Series 7, International Toastmistress Club
  • Series 8, International Reading Association
  • Series 9, National Association of Parlimentarians
  • Series 10, National Organization for Women
  • Series 11, The President's Forum
  • Series 12, Past Presidents' Assembly
  • Series 13, Santa Fair
  • Series 14, Seattle Handicapped Club
  • Series 15, Seattle-King County Civil Defense
  • Series 16, Traveler's Aid Society
  • Series 17, United Service Organization Military Lounge
  • Series 18, Women's Division of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce
  • Series 19, Photographs

Acquisition Information

Danielle L. Everson (granddaughter of Zelda Boulanger)

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Detailed Description of the Collection

 

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Subject Terms

  • Feminism--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Feminists--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)

Personal Names

  • Boulanger, Zelda K.--Archives

Corporate Names

  • National Organization for Women. Seattle Chapter
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