League of Women Voters of Fargo Records

Collection

Identifier: Mss 83

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The League of Women Voters of Fargo, N.D. records document the activities of the organization during the 1950s including minutes, correspondence, reports, budgets, clippings and a scrapbook. The collection includes its newsletter as well as various issues from the leagues in Mandan and Williston as well as the state-wide organization. The records have been organized into three series: General Fargo League, Publications and Subject files.

The By-laws include the 1953 and 1955 versions

The General Fargo League Series covers the period 1951 to 1956, likely the personal files of member Ada Walster. The minutes cover the period 1954-1956. Much of the correspondence is addressed to Mrs. Walster and includes correspondence from the North Dakota State League of Women Voters. The annual report is for a single year, 1953-1954 that was sent to the national organization. There is a single financial report covering the period 1951 to March 1953. The Local Government Committee file includes a document on public welfare (1953) and a copy of Know Cass County issued by the league in 1955. There are various lists of local members of the league, some listing officers and addresses.

The Publications Series contains newsletters issued by the Fargo league as well as the state organization and the first issue (1955) of the Mandan Memos, and the first three issues (1956-1957) of the Williston Watchwords. The Fargo league’s initial newsletter was titled Bulletin from 1953 to 1955 when it was changed to Fargo Voter and by 2001 was the Red River Valley Voter. The Fargo newsletters are not complete, particularly the later years.

The Subject Files Series includes documents related to the organization of a North Dakota state league, various committee and reports, clippings related to the Fargo league activities, documents related to its projects and programs and a scrapbook that covers the league from 1951 to 1958.

Dates

1951-2001.

Creator

League of Women Voters of Fargo (Fargo, N.D.) (Organization)

Access

The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the NDSU Archives.

Copyrights

Copyrights to this collection are not held by the NDSU Archives.

Biographical sketch

Organized 1951.

History

The League of Women Voters of Fargo, N.D. was organized in November 1951 with Mrs. D.D. Lontz elected president. Irene Sweeney of the national League of Women Voters was present to assist in the organization of the Fargo chapter. The purpose of the league is to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government. The league’s initial project, begun in January 1952, was to study Fargo government. They also began publicizing local voting dates through issuing an election calendar. By 1953 the Fargo league had 130 members. The league continues to be active in the community.

Extent

.3 Linear Feet (.3 linear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The purpose of the league, organized in 1951 at Fargo, N.D. is to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government. The records document the activities of the organization during the 1950s including minutes, correspondence, reports, budgets, clippings and a scrapbook. The collection includes its newsletter as well as various issues from the leagues in Mandan and Williston and the state-wide organization.