Over the last year, I’ve worked on a grant project funded by Jo Freeman processing four collections relating to women in politics. These collections include the Vera Smith Schultz papers, Mary Moore papers, Marjorie H. E. Benedict papers, and Eleanor Cameron Fowle papers. Each of these collections have been important and enlightening in their own way. They are now processed and open for the public to research and explore.
Mary Moore Papers
The first collection from this project that I processed was the Mary Moore papers (BANC MSS 2016/111). Moore served as a councilwoman for Oakland City Council for District 2 from 1977-1994. Her papers cover political issues in Oakland at this time, including local disputes over projects and businesses in the area of District 2. On the juicier side of politics, there are articles referring to the breakdown of the relationship between Moore and then Oakland Mayor, Lionel Wilson. It’s always fun to get to know more about a city’s politics during a different time period. A lot of proposals for projects and redevelopment came across Moore’s desk and it is particularly interesting to find out which projects were implemented and which ones were not.
Vera Smith Schultz Papers
The next collection I worked on was the Vera Smith Schultz papers (BANC MSS 96/62 c). Schultz was the first woman elected to the Mill Valley City Council in 1946 as well as the first woman elected to the Marin County Board of Supervisors in 1952. After she lost her re-election in 1960, Schultz continued her involvement in local government and non-profit organizations that operated in Marin County. She was a fierce advocate of getting Frank Lloyd Wright to design the Marin County Civic Center. Her papers primarily consist of materials related to her work on the Marin County Board of Supervisors, her personal interests in local Marin County issues, and her work with the Marin Senior Coordinating Council.
Marjorie H. E. Benedict Papers
One of the most rewarding (and most difficult to organize) collections that I worked on for this project was the Marjorie H. E. Benedict papers (BANC MSS 90/168 c). Benedict’s papers provide a unique perspective on the organizing and political tactics of the Republican Party in the 1940s-1960s. She was the Republican National Committeewoman for California representing the state for the Republican National Committee (RNC) from 1949-1960. Her work with the RNC comprises most of her papers and includes materials from when she was designated as Hostess for the 1956 Republican National Convention in San Francisco. Her collection includes correspondence and campaign materials from both state and national campaigns. State campaigns featured include politicians that also have papers in The Bancroft Library’s holdings, including Senators Thomas Kuchell and William Knowland. The wealth of correspondence and ephemera that Benedict’s collection holds can help researchers better understand the relationship between politicians and the RNC and political organizers.
Eleanor Fowle Cameron Papers
The final collection I worked on for this project was the Eleanor Fowle Cameron papers (BANC MSS 90/177 c). Eleanor Fowle Cameron was a chairwoman of the Democratic State Women of California, a former head of the women’s division of the Democratic State Central Committee, and president of the Foothill-De Anza Community Foundation. She also was part of the Stanford University Founding Grant Society board of directors and a trustee of The Trust for Hidden Villa in Los Altos Hills. She was the sister of former California Senator Alan Cranston. She authored “Cranston, The Senator from California,” a biography of her brother, that was published in 1980 and republished in 1984. The bulk of this collection consists of materials related to the research and writing of her biography on Alan Cranston. There are also a few articles she wrote for other publications and some personal correspondence and family papers.
