WESTERN HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-ST. LOUIS
This collection is stored offsite. Please allow 3 business days for retrieval.
For a list of the images in this collection click here and go to the WHMC photograph database
The Older Women’s League (OWL), founded in 1981, is a national membership organization with more than 30,000 members and 1000 chapters. The St. Louis Gateway Chapter, one of the largest with 350 members, was founded in 1985. OWL’s mission is to improve the image and status of mid-life and older women through grass roots advocacy, mutual support, and education. OWL’S current goals are: to end violence against women and the elderly; to create a national universal health care system; to create a more equitable and adequate social security system expanded employer-sponsored pension coverage; and to increase access housing and housing alternatives.
The Violence Committee studies methods to end the cycle of violence in the lives of older women in the St. Louis area who are victims of domestic violence. The Health Care Committee advocates for health care reforms at the State and National level. The OWL Gateway Chapter was influential in the passage of durable power of attorney for health care legislation and the continuation of health care benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) law. In 1995 OWL members testified for the breast cancer insurance reform bill in both houses, the osteoporosis education and prevention bill, and Missouri Health Assurance bill. The Committee supports collaborative citizen actions, and keeps the membership and general public current concerning health through its newsletter, meetings and a Speaker’s Bureau. The Bureau has presented information groups of retirees, senior citizens and families of handicapped patients.
The Housing Committee advocates affordable, safe shared housing arrangements in the state of Missouri providing legislative testimony to change crippling laws. The highly recognized Mid-life Divorce Support Group provides peer support and information to women experiencing divorce after 20 or more years of marriage. The group of 15-20 women meets weekly and has served more than 200 women adjusting to divorce. Several are counselors refer their clients to the support group.
The troupe of members perform “Courageous Women in History”, a skit developed by the Gateway Chapter depicting outstanding women including Susan B. Anthony, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Margaret Sanger. In the past this educational project has performed for teacher’s organizations, conventions, and social groups.
SCOPE AND CONTENT
The Older Women’s League Records are divided into four series. In series one the OWL’s records contain annual reports and board minutes, folders
1-14; the records are organized in alphabetically. In series two contains correspondence in alphabetically, folders 15-18. In series three contains newsletters, newsclippings, and nomination awards in alphabetically, folders 19-32. In series four contains pamphlets, photographs, and secretary books in alphabetical folders 33-35.
SERIES DESCRIPTION
SERIES 1
General Files, folders 1-14
This series contains annual reports and board minutes.
SERIES 2 Older Women League correspondence in alphabetical , folders 15-18.
SERIES 3
Contains newsletter, newsclipping nomination awards in alphabetical, folders 19-32.
SERIES 4 Contains pamphlets and secretary books in alphabetical folders 33 -35. Photographs are arranged chronologically 674.1, 674.2, 674.3, 674.4, 674.5,674.6, 674.7, 674.8, 674.9
FOLDER LIST
BOX 1
2. Board Minutes Meeting, 1990
3. Board Minutes Meeting, 1991
4. Board Minutes Meeting, 1992
5. Board Minutes Meeting, 1993
6. Board Minutes Meeting, 1994
7. Board Minutes Meeting, 1995
8. Board Minutes Meeting, 1996
9. Correspondence, 1981
10. Correspondence, 1989
11. Correspondence, 1990
12. Correspondence, 1991
13. Correspondence, 1992
14. Correspondence, 1993
BOX 2
15. Correspondence, 1993
16. Correspondence, 1995
17. Correspondence, 1997
18. Correspondence, 1998
19. Field Advocate Newsletter, 1990-1999
20. Newsclippings, 1991
21. Newsclippings, 1992
22. Newsclippings, 1995
23. Newsclippings, 1996
24. Nomination Awards, 1995
25. Nominations Sought for “Women of Worth”, 1992
26. Nominations Sought for “Women of Worth”. 1993
27. Nominations Sought for “Women of Worth”. 1993
28. OWL’s In Flight, 1992
BOX 3
29. OWL’s In Flight, 1994
30. OWL’s Newsletter, 1991
31. OWL’s Newsletter, 1991
32. OWL’s Observer, 1990-1999
33. Pamphlets, 1991-1999
34. Photographs
35. Secretary Books, 1992
INDEX
Board Minutes f. 1-14
Housing f. 15- 19
Older Women League f. 22-29
Women’s Health Care f. 31-34
WESTERN HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPT
COLLECTION
222 THOMAS JEFFERSON LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-ST.
LOUIS
8001 NATURAL BRIDGE ROAD
ST. LOUIS, MO
63121
(314)516-5143
whmc@umsl.edu