University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
0076 (Accession No. 0076-001)
Landes, Bertha Knight, 1868-1943
Bertha Knight Landes papers
1895-1932
0.59 cubic feet (2
boxes)
Collection materials are
in English.
Correspondence,
reports, ephemera, clippings, photographs of a former mayor and city council
member of Seattle, Washington
Bertha Knight Landes (1868-1943), elected mayor of Seattle in 1926,
became the first woman to lead a major American city. She ran on a platform of
"municipal housekeeping," vowing to clean up city government. She advocated
municipal ownership of utilities such as City Light and street railways. Her
single term ended in 1928, but she remained a civic leader and role model for
women. She was a devoted wife to Henry Landes, a University of Washington
professor of geology and mother of three children. She saw the community as an
extension of the home and played leadership roles in several women's
organizations.
Correspondence, reports, speeches, clippings, photos, and other
material, relating to Landes's role as mayor of Seattle (1926-1928) and city
council member (1922-1926). Includes material relating to Seattle Improved
Employment Commission.
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collection in digital format.
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Request at UW
Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of
Washington Libraries.
Material Described Separately:
Photographs of
Bertha Knight Landes (Collection PH1418)
Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
Landes, Bertha Knight, 1868-1943--Archives
Mayors--Washington (State)--Seattle
Politicians--Washington (State)--Seattle
Women--Political activity--Washington (State)
Municipal government--Washington (State)
City councils--Washington (State)
Employment stabilization--Washington (State)
Women city council members--Washington (State)
Washington (State)--Politics and government--1889-1950
Seattle (Wash.)--Politics and government
Seattle (Wash.). City Council
Seattle (Wash.). Improved Employment Commission
Records (Documents)
Business correspondence
Photographs
Ephemera
Politics and Politicians
Women
Seattle
Photographs
Series 1
Family and Biographical
1
Genealogical notes about the Knight family
1897
2
Henry Landes: miscellaneous articles, memorial, and
letters of condolence
1914-1937
Series 2
Working files
1
Speeches
1926-1928
Typed and handwritten drafts. Topics include juvenile
delinquency, police department finances, the Civic Auditorium (now known as
Marion Oliver McCaw Hall), commercial laundry, education, and advertising to
housewives.
1
Taxation notes
between 1922 and 1928
Typewritten notes on taxation - with handwritten edits
1
Reports for the Commission for Improved Employment:
Women's Division
1931-1932
1
Fragments of articles and reports
between 1920 and 1941
1
Reminiscence for the journal Survey Graphic
between 1928 and 1943
Series 3
Correspondence
1
Incoming
1893-1937
Congratulatory letters, letters of appreciation, letters
regarding dance hall regulations proposal, administrative letters, personal
letters
1
Outgoing
1924-1930
Series 4
Clippings
1
News clippings: Pre-City Council
1887-1921
1
News clippings: City Council Campaign
1920
1
News clippings: City Council Re-election Campaign
1922
1
News clippings: as City Councilwoman
1924-1925
1
News clippings: Mayoral Campaign
1926
1
News clippings: Mayor
1926-1928
1
News clippings: Post-Mayor
1928-1938
1
Magazine clippings
1914-1935
Series 5
Ephemera
2
Seattle Yearbook: Annual Report of Mayor Bertha K.
Landes
1928
2
Event Programs
1914-1930
University of Washington Commencement-1914, Renton High School
Commencement- June 1927, Northern Life Insurance Company Agency Meeting and
Convention-July 1927, Reception to Colonel Charles A. Lindbergh-September 1927,
Cunard Cruise Ship Entertainment Programme- June 1930
2
Certificates (including Certificates of Election)
1884-1938
From: American Civic Association, Skagway Womens Club, Worcester
Ninth Grade Grammar School, Hui O Pele Hawaii, Queen Anne Club, American
National Red Cross, National Geographic Society, King Ferdinand of Romania.
Also includes certificate as Mayor and certificate as Councilwoman.
2
Collected poems and religious writings
between 1910 and 1943
2
Proclamations and Honors
1927-1928
Honors are from the Board of Park Commissioners, University of
Washington President M. Lyle Spencer, and Prince Wilhelm of Sweden.
2
Clubs, Afiliations, and Travel
between 1910 and 1938