The Cape Ann NOW organization began in 1984 as an outgrowth of the Cape Ann Feminists. As part of the National Organization, it received strong support and information for its goals. Locally the chapter concentrated on women’s rights in Afghanistan, welfare reform, violence against women, and campaigning for local women politicians.

The records of the Cape Ann National Organization for Women were donated by JoeAnn Hart, who was the Secretary of the organization for many years. They include organizational rules, videos on women in Afghanistan, Title IX packet material, and other women’s issues. The NOW material includes the years 1984-1990. Also included is campain literature for women politicians: Pat Fiero, Regina Villa, Harriet Webster, and Barbara Hildt.

The collection includes:

Membership lists

Reports of committee meetings

Grant proposals

CD - G.F.C.A. 1995-2005

Series I: Organizational rules: National/local

Series II: Local material/campaign literature

Series III: Addenda

Box 1

Series I

Folder 1:

Organizational rules – Cape Ann N.O.W.

Organizational rules – National N.O.W.

Membership and finances

Facts about N.O.W.

Folder 2:

Administrative policy manual – NOW

Materials and resources – NOW

Video: “The Taliban – Prayer for Hate”

Video: “Shroud of Silence – Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan”

Box 2 

Series II

Folder 1:

Women’s rights – Afghanistan

Physicians for Human Rights – Afghanistan

Feminist decals

NOW newspaper 2002

Misc. info on women’s rights

Folder 2:

North Shore Community Action Programs Inc.

Material on welfare reform

Women and religion

Folder 3:

Campaign literature – Pat Fiero

Cape Ann NOW material on candidates; abortion rights; meetings/agendas

Revised operation rules

Membership lists

Minutes of board meetings 1987-1990

Cape Ann Now newsletters 1986-1989

Folder 4:

State/federal budget priorities NOW

Violence survey for women

Newspaper accounts: Murder of Ann Natti 1989

Newspaper articles: women’s rights

Pamphlet: A community battles the religious right, 1993

Campaign literature – Regina Villa for State Senate 1992

Folder 5:

Campaign literature for: Harriet Webster 2001; Barbara Hildt 1992; Pat Fiero 1988

Listing campaign contributions, fund raising activiteis

Instruction sheet for political volunteers.

Box 3

Series III

Folder 1: [small black notebook Apr 1985-1988]

Minutes Cape Ann NOW

News/Calendar reports.

Membership applications

Correspondence

Press release “Cape Ann NOW for Sat. May 9, 1987, Women’s March and Candlelight Vigil”

Cape Ann NOW Operating Rules

Folder 2: [large black notebook Apr 1988-1990]

1990 Calendear

1989 Minutes. Year Agenda

1989/90 Newsletter. Calendar

1988 News. Calendar

1989 Membership lists

Folder 3:

1989 Correspondence

Cape Ann NOW Operating Rules

Scholarship applications

Folder 4:

Misc. articles – Reproductive Rights (Abortion)

Folder 5:

Financial (Bank) Statements 1989-90

Directory of National Women’s Organizations

Box 4

Series III

Folder 1:

Cape Ann NOW Priorities

Material on comparable worth (Pay Equity)

Events Correspondence 1983-84

Folder 2:

Misc. articles – Feminism Misc.

Violence against women

Political action

Cape Ann Feminist Newsletters, 1983

Cape Ann NOW Newsletters, 1990-93

Annual Reports, 1990-92

Folder 3:

Political action – phone lists

North Shore NOW Calendar, 1981-86

Folder 4:

Scholarship Applications, 1992

Folder 5:

Scholarship Applications, 1993

Folder 6:

Scholarship Applications, 1994

Box 5

Series III

Folders 1 & 2:

Misc. Local news clippings 1980s. Women’s Rights