The national organization was begun in 1920 by the leaders of the National American Women’s Suffrage Association preceding the ratification of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote. The local League of Women Voters (Cape Ann Chapter) began as a provincial group of 100 members in 1966. The local organization became a member of the state League of Women Voters in 1968 upon completion of the booklet “Know Your Community” (covering Rockport and Gloucester). The League of Women Voters - a non-partisan, activist and grassroots organization – is dedicated to the informed and active participation of their citizens in their city/town, state and federal governments.

The collection includes news clippings (general and those related to awards), bulletins, handbook for local members, board meeting minutes, by-laws, annual meeting minutes, membership lists, various publications, debates, candidates’ nights, studies of local issues and those issues of state and national interest. The bulk of the documents of the Cape Ann League of Women Voters Collection cover the years 1966-2000.

Series I Copies of a letter dated November 26, 1920 petitioning the Gloucester Municipal Council for permission to hold a candidates’ night and forum on December 2, 1920 in the City Hall explaining the referendum questions. (One of the earliest League of Women Voters letters in existence)

Series II Voter Services: Assorted Gloucester Daily Times (GDT) newspaper clippings related to the activities, publications and issues of importance for and about the League (1968 – 2010); includes articles of general interest (1969-1977); GDT section “Forum” 1993 – 1999, 2001

Series III The Bulletin of the League of Women Voters 1960s - 2000s

Series IV Publications (various dates)

Series V By-Laws (circa 1974)

Series VI Membership Handbook for Local Members (1974)

Series VII Membership Lists (1966-1997)

Series VIII Debates (1986-2009)

Series IX Candidates Nights for Rockport and Gloucester (1974-2005)

Series X Board Meetings and Minutes (1990-2003, 2005-2010)

Series XI Annual Meetings and Minutes (1970s-2010)

Series XII Provisional Report for Gloucester and Rockport. Includes Gloucester and Rockport Street Index (1967)

Series XIII Local Programs (1969-1999)

Series XIV Studies:

Patriot Act (2006)

Toxic Ordinance (2007)

Non-Toxic Landscaping Fair (2005 and 2006)

Series XV Color photographs: Two envelopes:

1) panels of the League of Women Voters Quilt. Various dates.

2) Photographs from Lawncare Fair (2005-2006)

Series XVI (one) 1 videocassette Election Debate (2003)

Box 1

Series I

Folder 1 – Copies (five) of letter by Gloucester League of Women Voters dated November 26, 1920 requesting permission to use the City Hall

Series II

Folders 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 – Voters Services – Gloucester Daily Times (GDT) newspaper clippings and articles, articles of general interest, GDT section “Forum” (1968-2010)

Series III 

Folder 1 – 2000s The Bulletin of the League of Women Voters

Folder 2 - 1990s The Bulletin of the League of Women Voters

Folder 3 - 1980s The Bulletin of the League of Women Voters

Box 2

Series III

Folder 4 – 1970s The Bulletin of the League of Women Voters

Folder 5 – 1960s The Bulletin of the League of Women Voters

Series IV

Folder 1 – League of Women Voters Publications

The Taste of Gloucester: A Fisherman’s Wife Cooks, 9th ed. (The first edition, published in 1976, was a joint project of the Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Association and the Cape Ann League)

Know Your Community (Includes map of Gloucester and Rockport) (1985)

A Look at Rockport Schools (1969-1972)

A Look at the Gloucester Schools (1972)

Water, Water, Everywhere! But is it Safe to Drink? (1993)

Common Toxins (circa 2004)

Tell Us Your Story (2000)

Series V 

Folder 1 – By-Laws (circa 1974)

Series VI

Folder 1 – Membership Handbook for Local Members (1974)

Series VII

Folder 1 – Membership Lists (1966-1997)

Series VIII

Folder 1 – Debates (1986-2009)

Box 3

Series IX

Folder 1 – Candidates Nights – Rockport and Gloucester (1974-2005)

Series X

Folder 1 – Board Meetings and Minutes (2005-2010)

Folder 2 – Board Meetings and Minutes (1990-2003)

Box 4

Folder 3 – Board Meetings and Minutes(1972-1980)

Folder 4 - Board Meetings and Minutes (1983-1986,1988-1989)

Folder 5 - Board Meetings and Minutes (1970-1978)

Series XI

Folder 1 – Annual Meetings (2000-2010)

Folder 2 – Annual Meetings (1980-1990)

Box 5

Folder 3 – Annual Meetings (1970-1979)

Series XII

Folder 1 – Preliminary Reports for Gloucester (September 1967) and Rockport (June 1967). Gloucester and Rockport Street Index (1967). Application [by Gloucester and Rockport] for Recognition as a Local League (August 1969)

Series XIII – Local Programs

Folder 1 - Non-Toxic Landscaping & Gardening Fair (2006)

Folder 2 - Non-Toxic Landscaping & Gardening Fair (2005)

Folder 3 – Know Your Community – A Citizen’s Guide to Gloucester and Rockport (1985)

Series XIV - Studies

Folder 1 Common Toxins

Folder 2 Patriot Act

Folder 3 Water Resources

Folder 4 Misc. Topics: Juvenile Justice, Basic Human Needs, Housing, Domestic Violence, etc.

Series XV

Folder 1 – Two Envelopes containing color photographs: Photographs by section of the League of Women Voters Quilt highlighting themes, celebrations, etc. of the League; Photographs of Lawn Care Fair (2005 and 2006)

Series XVI

Folder 1 – One videocassette: Election 2003 Debate