The National Woman's Party Papers, 1913-1974

Location: McKeldin Library
Location Code & Call Number: McK-Per HQ 1904 .N3

Description

This collection includes correspondence, minutes, legal papers, financial records, printed materials, photographs and items from the World Women's Party. The period covered is primarily from 1913 to 1974.

Items are arranged after the following format:
Series I: Correspondence, 1913-1974
Series II: Minutes, 1917-1972
Series III: Legal Papers, 1914-1971
Series IV: Financial Records

The original NWP papers are held by the National Woman's Party, Washington, D.C. and the Estate of Alice Paul, Ridgefield, Connecticut.

The National Woman's Party was founded by Alice Paul in 1913. Paul and her associates formed the new group during a dispute with the National American Woman Suffrage Association over the proper strategy to secure the right to vote for women. NWP tactics directed to encouraging Congressional passage of a federal suffrage amendment, as opposed to individual state laws, were modeled after the militant British suffragettes. Following passage of the amendment, the NWP turned its attention to equal rights for women. Alice Paul drafted the original Equal Rights Amendment almost fifty years thereafter it was submitted in every session of Congress. The NWP lobbied vigorously for its passage until its acceptance by the House in 1971 and the Senate in 1972. During the 1920s and early 1930s NWP worked to broaden women's rights on state and local levels, in federal agencies and eventually in other countries. The NWP also campaigned for the appointment of women to high federal office. The unique devotion of the organization to equal rights for women is of historic importance. Its often solitary fight for the ERA and other equity measures is also of special significance.

Index/Guide

Ref HQ1904.N3 FOLIO

Pardo, Thomas C.The National Woman's Party Papers, 1913-1974: A Guide to the Microfilm Edition.