Guide to the Gerald Blum Papers, 1971-2003 AIS.2005.14

Arrangement

Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
Gerald Blum Papers
Creator
Blum, Gerald
Collection Number
AIS.2005.14
Extent
6.25 Linear Feet (4 boxes)
Date
1971-2003
Abstract
The papers of Gerald Blum document the activities of the National Organization for Women (NOW) at the national, state, and local levels. Materials reflect Blum's involvement with South Hills NOW and Pennsylvania NOW and include newsletters, meeting minutes and notes, treasurer's reports, feminist publications and brochures, VHS tapes, audiocassettes, audiotapes, and newspaper clippings.
Language
English .
Author
Carrie Smith and Jessica Mirasol. Revisions occurred to the finding aid as a part of the encoding process in March 2006.
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System
Archives & Special Collections
Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist
URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections

Biography

Gerald (Jerry) Blum has been an active member of NOW for nearly three decades, beginning his involvement in the Pittsburgh area and eventually serving as Pennsylvania NOW's state treasurer. Blum, a physicist, moved to Pittsburgh to work as a nuclear engineer for Bettis Laboratory in 1973. Shortly after the move, he became interested in NOW through the feminist publication MS. Magazine and joined South Hills NOW in 1974. Blum was especially interested in the role of male feminists; despite the public perception of feminism as just a women's issue, 30% of attendees at the first National NOW Conference were male, and men have been involved in many ways throughout the history of the movement.

Arrangement

The collection has been arranged into the following series:

  • Series I. South Hills NOW
  • Series II. Pennsylvania NOW
  • Series III. National NOW
  • Series IV. Subject Files
  • Series V. Audiovisual Materials
Additional scope notes are found at the series level.

Scope and Content Notes

The collection covers the activities and goals the National Organization for Women (NOW) mainly in the Pittsburgh area, but also in the state of Pennsylvania and at the national level. NOW was established in 1966 to advocate equality for all women and quickly grew into a network of chapters. There have been a number of NOW chapters in the Pittsburgh area, including North Hills NOW, South Hills NOW, First Pittsburgh NOW, and Squirrel Hill NOW, among others. These groups published a Pittsburgh Area Joint NOW Newsletter in the 1980s and kept each other informed of local problems, but also worked independently in their neighborhoods. Although the collection contains some material from all area chapters, most relates to the South Hills branch, where Blum was most heavily involved, and to Pennsylvania NOW, where he served as treasurer. Blum's work with the NOW Political Action Committee, which tracked legislation pertinent to women, is also documented. Blum collected documents - including audiovisual materials - on many subjects relevant to the fight for equality, such as racism, reproductive rights, and women in the workforce. Additional scope and content notes providing further detail can be found at the series level.

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Gerald Blum on November 14, 2005.

Previous Citation

Gerald Blum Papers, 1971-2003, AIS.2005.14, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh

Preferred Citation

Gerald Blum Papers, 1971-2003, AIS.2005.14, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Carrie Smith and Jessica Mirasol in March 2006.

Revision and rearrangement for the encoded version of the finding aid provided by Carrie Smith in April 2006. Information about the collection title and the controlled access terms was extracted from the MARC record in the University of Pittsburgh catalog Voyager ID number: 4641081.

Copyright

Permission for publication is given on behalf of the University of Pittsburgh as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Subjects

    Corporate Names

    • National Organization for Women

    Personal Names

    • Blum, Gerald
    • Judd Hill, Cindy
    • Smeal, Eleanor

    Geographic Names

    • Pennsylvania
    • Pittsburgh (Pa.)

    Other Subjects

    • Equal rights amendments -- United States
    • Racism -- United States
    • Gay rights -- United States
    • Men's studies -- United States
    • Sex discrimination against women -- United States
    • Women's rights -- United States
    • Feminism -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Personal papers
    • Pro-choice movement
    • Social action
    • Human reproduction -- Law and legislation -- United States
    • Women
    • Pro-choice movement -- United States

Container List