 | The Sonia Johnson Papers Ms0287 |
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The Manuscripts Librarian is Dr. Stan Larson.
For further information, email: stan.larson@library.utah.edu, or call (801) 585-3076. |
Summary Description
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Abstract: The bulk of the collection is concerned with Sonia Johnson's excommunication from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, her campaign in support of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), and the group "Mormons for ERA" between the years 1978 and 1982. There is a small amount of personal material, mainly family correspondence, included with the collection and dated between 1958 and 1982.
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Biographical Sketch
Sonia Ann Harris was born on 27 February 1936 in Malad City, Idaho, to Alvin and Ida Howell Harris. Her childhood was spent in Preston, Idaho, until the family moved to Logan, Utah, in 1948. She was raised a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (The Mormon Church).
After graduation from Logan High School in 1954 Sonia worked in a bank until she entered Utah State University in January 1955. She received her B.A. in English in 1958.
Sonia and Richard Theodore Johnson were married 21 August 1959. In February 1960 the Johnsons moved to Apia, Western Samoa where they both taught English for a year. They returned to Minneapolis where Sonia did graduate work at the University of Minnesota toward her master's degree. For two years of that time she was also a graduate assistant in the English Department. They moved to New Brunswick, New Jersey, where Sonia received her master's and Ed.D. degrees from Rutgers University.
In 1965 the Johnsons and their two children went to Lagos, Nigeria, where Sonia spent two years as head of testing at the American International School. From Nigeria, they went to Palo Alto, California, for two years, where Sonia had another baby, then on to Malawi where Sonia taught for two years at the University of Malawi.
After a brief stay in California the Johnsons and their three children went to Korea, where Sonia taught diplomats, their wives, and servicemen through the University of Maryland extension. She was also a visiting professor at Seoul University.
After spending almost a year in Western Malaysia, where Sonia had a fourth child, they returned to Califronia in 1974 and finally settled in Sterling, Virginia, in 1976. Sonia spent one year working through the federal Office of Education then became an adjunct professor at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and the University of Virginia.
Sonia Johnson began speaking out as a Mormon for Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in 1977. Her first national exposure was following her August 1978 testimony in front of the Senate Constitutional Rights Subcommittee where she came into conflict with Utah's junior Senator, Orrin Hatch. She continued speaking and promoting the Equal Rights Amendment and denouncing what she perceived to be her church's political activities against the amendment.
Sonia's August 1979 speech in Kalispell, Montana, to their National Organization for Women convention, the September 1979 paper given to the American Psychological Association, and an October 1979 speech at the University of Utah culminated in her call to an LDS Bishop's Court in November 1979.
After a well-publicized trial on December first, Sonia was officially excommunicated from the LDS Church on 5 December 1979. The decision was affirmed by a Church High Council Court on 6 April 1980.
Sonia continued her promotion of the Equal Rights Amendment as president of the national Mormons for ERA group. She spoke at numerous functions throughout the country and appeared on a number of television talk shows, including the Phil Donahue program. In 1981 her book From Housewife to Heretic about her embrace of feminism was published.
In 1982 Sonia Johnson made an unsuccessful bid for the presidency of the National Organization for Women. She still continues to be active in promoting feminist issues and women's rights.
After graduation from Logan High School in 1954 Sonia worked in a bank until she entered Utah State University in January 1955. She received her B.A. in English in 1958.
Sonia and Richard Theodore Johnson were married 21 August 1959. In February 1960 the Johnsons moved to Apia, Western Samoa where they both taught English for a year. They returned to Minneapolis where Sonia did graduate work at the University of Minnesota toward her master's degree. For two years of that time she was also a graduate assistant in the English Department. They moved to New Brunswick, New Jersey, where Sonia received her master's and Ed.D. degrees from Rutgers University.
In 1965 the Johnsons and their two children went to Lagos, Nigeria, where Sonia spent two years as head of testing at the American International School. From Nigeria, they went to Palo Alto, California, for two years, where Sonia had another baby, then on to Malawi where Sonia taught for two years at the University of Malawi.
After a brief stay in California the Johnsons and their three children went to Korea, where Sonia taught diplomats, their wives, and servicemen through the University of Maryland extension. She was also a visiting professor at Seoul University.
After spending almost a year in Western Malaysia, where Sonia had a fourth child, they returned to Califronia in 1974 and finally settled in Sterling, Virginia, in 1976. Sonia spent one year working through the federal Office of Education then became an adjunct professor at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and the University of Virginia.
Sonia Johnson began speaking out as a Mormon for Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in 1977. Her first national exposure was following her August 1978 testimony in front of the Senate Constitutional Rights Subcommittee where she came into conflict with Utah's junior Senator, Orrin Hatch. She continued speaking and promoting the Equal Rights Amendment and denouncing what she perceived to be her church's political activities against the amendment.
Sonia's August 1979 speech in Kalispell, Montana, to their National Organization for Women convention, the September 1979 paper given to the American Psychological Association, and an October 1979 speech at the University of Utah culminated in her call to an LDS Bishop's Court in November 1979.
After a well-publicized trial on December first, Sonia was officially excommunicated from the LDS Church on 5 December 1979. The decision was affirmed by a Church High Council Court on 6 April 1980.
Sonia continued her promotion of the Equal Rights Amendment as president of the national Mormons for ERA group. She spoke at numerous functions throughout the country and appeared on a number of television talk shows, including the Phil Donahue program. In 1981 her book From Housewife to Heretic about her embrace of feminism was published.
In 1982 Sonia Johnson made an unsuccessful bid for the presidency of the National Organization for Women. She still continues to be active in promoting feminist issues and women's rights.
Scope and Content
Sonia Johnson donated these papers in January 1981. The bulk of the collection is concerned with Mrs. Johnson's excommunication from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, her campaign in support of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), and the group "Mormons for ERA" between the years 1978 and 1982. There is a small amount of personal material, mainly family correspondence, included with the collection and dated between 1958 and 1982.
The thirty-five boxes containing the collection have been divided into six major categories. The first, consisting of three boxes is personal material. Included are chronologically arranged family letters which have been temporarily restricted by Mrs. Johnson. The other portion of the personal material deals with her excommunication trial including an alphabetical file of letters written by supporters of Mrs. Johnson to officials of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Four boxes comprise category two which contains information on the Equal Rights Amendment. Included are alphabetically filed letters from organizations supporting the amendment; information on extension, revision, and ratification; and organizations of the LDS Church opposing ERA and filed by state.
Within the three boxes in the third category are filed materials dealing with the Mormons for ERA groups. Included are articles and clippings about the LDS Church and its reaction to the Equal Rights Amendment, correspondence, speeches, activities, and information by and about state Mormons for ERA The materials on the Utah Mormons for ERA have been temporarily restricted at Mrs. Johnson's request. Bylaws, press releases, newsletters, pamphlets, and newspaper clippings are also included.
Even though the correspondence in the twelve boxes comprising the fourth category was sent to Sonia Johnson, much of it is closely tied to the Mormons for ERA organization. The correspondence has been divided into these nine subject areas: LDS, Pro-ERA; Alienated and Ex-LDS, Pro-ERA; Alienated and ex-LDS, Religion; LDS, Anti-ERA; Non-LDS, Pro-ERA; Non-LDS, Anti-ERA; Non-LDS, Religion; Pro-Sonia; and Requests for ERA Information. Each subject area has a list of names included.
Category five contains four boxes of material on speeches and articles. Included is correspondence arranging various speaking engagements organized chronologically by date of engagement, and a number of speeches and articles by Sonia Johnson. Also included are the drafts, correspondence and other information connected with herbook <i>From Housewife to Heretic</i> Published In 1981.
The miscellaneous category included seven boxes of newspaper clippings dated from 1978 to 1982 with the bulk falling between November 1979 and January 1980 gleaned from newspapers all over the country. Also included in this section are eight daybooks kept by Mrs. Johnson and other miscellaneous information.
The thirty-five boxes containing the collection have been divided into six major categories. The first, consisting of three boxes is personal material. Included are chronologically arranged family letters which have been temporarily restricted by Mrs. Johnson. The other portion of the personal material deals with her excommunication trial including an alphabetical file of letters written by supporters of Mrs. Johnson to officials of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Four boxes comprise category two which contains information on the Equal Rights Amendment. Included are alphabetically filed letters from organizations supporting the amendment; information on extension, revision, and ratification; and organizations of the LDS Church opposing ERA and filed by state.
Within the three boxes in the third category are filed materials dealing with the Mormons for ERA groups. Included are articles and clippings about the LDS Church and its reaction to the Equal Rights Amendment, correspondence, speeches, activities, and information by and about state Mormons for ERA The materials on the Utah Mormons for ERA have been temporarily restricted at Mrs. Johnson's request. Bylaws, press releases, newsletters, pamphlets, and newspaper clippings are also included.
Even though the correspondence in the twelve boxes comprising the fourth category was sent to Sonia Johnson, much of it is closely tied to the Mormons for ERA organization. The correspondence has been divided into these nine subject areas: LDS, Pro-ERA; Alienated and Ex-LDS, Pro-ERA; Alienated and ex-LDS, Religion; LDS, Anti-ERA; Non-LDS, Pro-ERA; Non-LDS, Anti-ERA; Non-LDS, Religion; Pro-Sonia; and Requests for ERA Information. Each subject area has a list of names included.
Category five contains four boxes of material on speeches and articles. Included is correspondence arranging various speaking engagements organized chronologically by date of engagement, and a number of speeches and articles by Sonia Johnson. Also included are the drafts, correspondence and other information connected with herbook <i>From Housewife to Heretic</i> Published In 1981.
The miscellaneous category included seven boxes of newspaper clippings dated from 1978 to 1982 with the bulk falling between November 1979 and January 1980 gleaned from newspapers all over the country. Also included in this section are eight daybooks kept by Mrs. Johnson and other miscellaneous information.
Administrative Information
Restrictions : Materials must be used on-site; advance notice suggested. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.
Related Material : Photographs, and video tapes were transefered to Multimedia collections P0099 and A0099.
Donor Information :
Acq Method: donated by
Acq Name: David M. Jabusch, Linda Sillito, and Sonia Johnson
Acq Date: January 1981
Processing Information : This collection was processed by Marlene Lewis on October 1982.
Related Material : Photographs, and video tapes were transefered to Multimedia collections P0099 and A0099.
Donor Information :
Acq Method: donated by
Acq Name: David M. Jabusch, Linda Sillito, and Sonia Johnson
Acq Date: January 1981
Processing Information : This collection was processed by Marlene Lewis on October 1982.
Index Terms
These records are indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the J.Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah. Researchers wishing to find related materials should search the catalog under these index terms.
Organizations:
Subjects:
Johnson, Sonia - Archives
Mormons for E.R.A.
Women and religion
Women, Mormon - United States - History - Sources
Feminism - United States
Women's rights - United States
Equal rights amendments - United States - History - Sources
Mormon Church - Political activitiy
Genres:
Organizations:
Subjects:
Johnson, Sonia - Archives
Mormons for E.R.A.
Women and religion
Women, Mormon - United States - History - Sources
Feminism - United States
Women's rights - United States
Equal rights amendments - United States - History - Sources
Mormon Church - Political activitiy
Genres:
Restrictions
Materials must be used on-site; advance notice suggested. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.
Arrangement of the Records
Detailed Description of the Records
-
Series
PERSONAL
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box
1 :
Personal Correspondence - Temporarily Restricted
(1960-1980)
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folder
1-24 :
Sonia and Rich Johnson to Harris, Family
(1960-1968)
Letters from Sonia and Rick Johnson to Sonia' s parents, Alvin and Ida Harris, and family. The letters are written from Western Samoa, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nigeria, California, Pennsylvania, Malawi, Korea, Western Malaysia, Tennessee, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, and Virginia.
-
folder
25 :
Ida Harris to Sonia Johnson
(1980)
Letter to Sonia from her mother about Sonia's activities and the Mormons for E.R.A.
-
box
2 :
Personal Correspondence - Temporarily Restricted
(1958-1982)
-
folder
1-9 :
Sonia and Rick Johnson
(1958-1979)
Letters exchanged between Rick and Sonia Johnson including a number of notes, greeting cards and miscellaneous items.
-
folder
10 :
Sonia and Rick Johnson to their children
(1969-1977)
-
folder
11 :
Eric Johnson
(1978)
Letters about Sonia and Rick's eldest son and his stay in Logan including a letter from Floyd V. Israelsen and Sonia's reply.
-
folder
12 :
Sonia Johnson and Family Members
(1962-1975)
Letter from Sonia to her brother Mark, letters to Sonia from her sister Joyce and Aunt Grace Baugh.
-
folder
13 :
Robert Michael Harris
(1962-1964)
Letter to and from Sonia's brother "Mike" while serving a mission for the LDS Church.
-
folder
14 :
Jeff Harris
(1964)
Letters from Sonia's brother Jeff to his mother.
-
folder
15 :
Ina and Wayne Harris
(1960-1965)
Letters from Ina and Wayne Harris to Ida and Alvin Harris.
-
folder
16 :
Martha Harris
(1964)
Letter from Martha Harris to Ida Harris
-
folder
17 :
Ida Harris
(1972)
Ida Harris to her husband and son Alvin and Mark Harris.
-
folder
18 :
Ida Johnson
Letter from Ida Johnson to Ida Harris about a possible visit to their children Rick and Sonia Johnson.
-
folder
19 :
Grace Smith
(1965)
Letter from Mrs. Marion Smith to her aunt Ida Harris.
-
folder
20 :
Lupe P. Afuvia
(1962-1963)
Letters from Lupe P. Afuvia to Ida Harris. The Harris' had Sinapi Afuvia of Samoa staying with them in Logan, Utah.
-
folder
21 :
Sinapi Afuvia
(1961-1963)
Letters to and from Sinapi Afuvia who was living with the Harris' in Logan, Utah. Some of the letters are written in Samoan.
-
folder
22 :
Ida and Alvin Harris
(1963-1981)
Miscellaneous letters to Ida and Alvin Harris including one about conflicts with the LDS Church home teachers in Logan, Utah.
-
folder
23 :
Friends to Sonia Johnson
(1974-1981)
Letters to Sonia from Barbara Allen, Bill Billingsley, Virginia L. Carter, Peggy and Andrew Creese, Linda Daube, Audrey Grant, Edward L. Meyerson, Candice Osborn, Ron and Hazel Rigby and other personal acquaintances.
-
folder
24 :
Archives to Sonia Johnson
(1979-1982)
Letters from the University of Missouri, Brigham Young University, Utah State University and the University of Utah asking about deposition of Sonia Johnson's papers.
-
folder
25 :
Miscellaneous Personal Items
(1957)
Includes a play program from an itinerary for Richard T. Johnson from 1976, and Sonia Johnson's reports on an open house at the Palo Alto LDS Church in 1972.
-
box
3 :
Excommunication
(1960-1980)
-
folder
1 :
L.D.S. Church Documents
(1960-1976)
Copy of Sonia's partriarchial Blessing from 1960 and 1976.
-
folder
2 :
Correspondence with First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
(1979-1980)
Letters between Sonia Johnson and the LDS Church hierarchy about her support for the Equal Rights Amendment, her trial and appeal of her excommunication.
-
folder
3 :
Summons, Trial, and Appeal
(1979-1980)
Correspondence and statements between Sonia Johnson, her LDS Bishop Jeffery H. Willis, and the L.D.S. Stake President Earl J. Roueche about her excommunication trial and appeal.
-
folder
4 :
Defense: Michael J. Barrett
(1979-1980)
Correspondence, articles, and notes about a possible defense against excommunication or possible civil action against the LDS Church from Michael J. Barrett, a lawyer.
-
folder
5 :
Defense: Paul N. McCloskey, Jr.
(1979)
Offer from California representative McCloskey to assist with her case.
-
folder
6 :
Defense: Articles
Copies of "Resolution of Civil Disputes by Mormon Ecclesiastical Courts," by Raymond T. Swenson, and the testimony concerning Reed Smoot in the Committee on Privileges and Elections.
-
folder
7 :
Trial Testimonies and Statements
(1979)
Included are statements by Sonia Johnson, the LDS Church representative, Ralph J. Payne, Nancy Kuhn, Hazel Rigby, Loneta Murphy, William D. Payne, Mary Ann Payne, Nadine Hansen, Kris Green, and the Consortium for Utah Women in Higher Education.
-
folder
8 :
Trial Vigil Prayers and Statements
(1979)
Prayer by Emily Benson, statements by Loneta Murphy and an unnamed individual.
-
folder
9 :
Press Packet
(1979)
Folder for members of the press at Sonia Johnson's trial which includes copies of earlier newspaper clippings, statements, and testimony by and about Sonia Johnson and the Equal Rights Amendment.
-
folder
10 :
Notes on Church Meeting
(1979)
Notes by Arlene Wood and Kathryn McKay about the church meeting attended by Sonia on December 2, 1979 the day following her excommunication.
-
folder
11 :
Miscellaneous Correspondence
(1978-1979)
Included is a letter from Hartman Rector, jr. to Teddie Wood in which he claims if men did not hold the priesthood they "...would problably be eaten by the famale as in the case with the black widow spider [SIC]." Also included is a letter to Sonia from Barbara B. Smith, LDS Relief Society President, and an exchange of letters about Jeffrey Willis's position with the Central Intelligence Agency.
-
folder
12 :
Sterling Park Ward Kirectory
(1979)
-
folder
13-21 :
Letters to LDS Church Leaders
Letters, arranged in alphabetical order, written to LDS Church leaders from her bishop to the First Presidency in support of Sonia Johnson and her position on the Equal Rights Amendment. A name list is included and filed in folder 13.
-
Series
EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT
-
box
4 :
Organizations, Pro-ERA., A - N
(1977-1981)
-
folder
1 :
American Association of University Women
(1979-1980)
-
folder
2 :
Organizations A
(1979-1980)
Acadiana Women's Political Caucus
Alaska Women's Resource Center
Arizonians of Faith for the Equal Rights Amendment
Association for Women in Psychology
Association of Women in Ministry
Augusta Women's Advisory Council
Awake-Worship-Action-Renewal-Education (AWARE--RLDS group)
Alaska Women's Resource Center
Arizonians of Faith for the Equal Rights Amendment
Association for Women in Psychology
Association of Women in Ministry
Augusta Women's Advisory Council
Awake-Worship-Action-Renewal-Education (AWARE--RLDS group)
-
folder
3 :
Business and Professional Women's Clubs
(1979-1980)
-
folder
4 :
Organizations B
(1979-1980)
Brouard County (Florida) Commission on the Status of Women
Buena Vista College, Storm Lake, Iowa.
Buena Vista College, Storm Lake, Iowa.
-
folder
5-6 :
Congressional Union
(1980-1981)
-
folder
7 :
Organizations C
(1979-1981)
Catholic Advocates for Equality
Catholics Act for ERA
Catholic Women for ERA
Center of Concern
Church of the Brethren, Women's Caucus
Coalition on Women and Religion
Common Cause
Concord United Church of Christ (Wichita, Kansas)
Catholics Act for ERA
Catholic Women for ERA
Center of Concern
Church of the Brethren, Women's Caucus
Coalition on Women and Religion
Common Cause
Concord United Church of Christ (Wichita, Kansas)
-
folder
8 :
E. R. A. Action Line (Seattle, Washington)
(1980-1981)
-
folder
9 :
ERAmerica
(1978-1981)
Includes ERArkansas, and ERAmerica Michigan.
-
folder
10-11 :
Equal Rights Coalition of Utah
(1978-1981)
-
folder
12 :
Organizations E
(1977-1981)
8th Day Center for Justice
Episcopal Church groups
Epsilon Sigma Alpha International, Alpha Beta Chapter
Equal Rights Amendment Ratification Action Coalition
Equal Rights Amendment Ratification Council
Equal Rights Amendment Ratification Project (Illinois)
ERA Illinois
ERA Strike Force
Evangelical Women's Caucus (Bay Area and Michigan)
Episcopal Church groups
Epsilon Sigma Alpha International, Alpha Beta Chapter
Equal Rights Amendment Ratification Action Coalition
Equal Rights Amendment Ratification Council
Equal Rights Amendment Ratification Project (Illinois)
ERA Illinois
ERA Strike Force
Evangelical Women's Caucus (Bay Area and Michigan)
-
folder
13 :
Organizations F
(1978-1979)
Federally Employed Women
Florida Impact
Fort Wayne Feminists
Florida Impact
Fort Wayne Feminists
-
folder
14 :
Homemakers' Equal Rights Association (Housewices for ERA)
(1979-1981)
-
folder
15 :
Organizations I- L
(1979-1980)
Ingham County Women's Commission (Michigan)
Interchange
Junior League of Minneapolis
Kentuchy Pro-EAR Alliance
Labor for Equal Rights Now (LERN)
Leadership Conference of Women Religious
League of Women Voters
Interchange
Junior League of Minneapolis
Kentuchy Pro-EAR Alliance
Labor for Equal Rights Now (LERN)
Leadership Conference of Women Religious
League of Women Voters
-
folder
16 :
Organizations M
(1979-1981)
Madison (Wisconsin) Coalition for the ERA
Missouri Equal Rights Amendment Coalition
Missouri Equal Rights Amendment Coalition
-
folder
17-22 :
National Organization for Women (NOW), National
(1977-1981)
Correspondence, 1978-1981; ERA-NOW Action Packet; ERA National Outreach, press releases, pamphlets, information, 1977-1981
-
folder
23-27 :
National Organization for Women (NOW), States, A-T
(1979-1981)
-
box
5 :
Organizations, Pro-ERA, N-W
(1973-1981)
-
folder
1-4 :
National Organization for Women (NOW), States U-W
(1973-1981)
Includes some Utah material
-
folder
5 :
Organizations N
(1978-1981)
National Assembly of Women Religious
National Coalition of American Nuns
National Council of Churches
National Women's Party
Network (Catholic nuns' group)
Nevadans for ERA
North Miami Beach Commission on the Status of Women
National Coalition of American Nuns
National Council of Churches
National Women's Party
Network (Catholic nuns' group)
Nevadans for ERA
North Miami Beach Commission on the Status of Women
-
folder
6 :
Organizations O
(1980)
OK-ERA (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
Oklahoma Governor's Commission on the Status of Women
Oklahomans for the Equal Righs Amendment
Oklahoma Homemakers for the ERA
Older women's Liberation
Oklahoma Governor's Commission on the Status of Women
Oklahomans for the Equal Righs Amendment
Oklahoma Homemakers for the ERA
Older women's Liberation
-
folder
7 :
Organizations P
(1979-1980)
Planned Parenthood-Louisville
Presbyterian Church groups
People of Faith for the ERA
President's Advisory Committee for Women
Prince George's County Commission for Women
Presbyterian Church groups
People of Faith for the ERA
President's Advisory Committee for Women
Prince George's County Commission for Women
-
folder
8 :
Religious Advocates for Equality
(1979)
-
folder
9 :
Religious Committee for the ERA
(1979-1981)
-
folder
10 :
Organizations S- T
(1979-1981)
Sacramento Valley Ecumenical Women
Santa Clara County Commission on the Status of Women (California)
Sisters of Divine Providence (Kentucky)
Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace (Washington, D. C.)
South Texas Women's Forum
Tacoma Dominican Sisters Consensus Group 2
Thurston County Ministries in Higher Education (Washington)
Santa Clara County Commission on the Status of Women (California)
Sisters of Divine Providence (Kentucky)
Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace (Washington, D. C.)
South Texas Women's Forum
Tacoma Dominican Sisters Consensus Group 2
Thurston County Ministries in Higher Education (Washington)
-
folder
11 :
Organizations U
(1978-1980)
Unitarian Church groups
United Methodist Church groups
United Teachers of Los Angeles
United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities (Minnesota)
Unity (Texas)
Utah Order of Women Legislators
United Methodist Church groups
United Teachers of Los Angeles
United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities (Minnesota)
Unity (Texas)
Utah Order of Women Legislators
-
folder
12 :
Organizations V
(1978-1981)
Virginia Equal Rights Amendment Ratification
Council
Virginians for the Equal Rights Amendment-Political Action Committee
Virginia Polytechnic Institute Women's Network
Virginia Religious Committee for ERA
Council
Virginians for the Equal Rights Amendment-Political Action Committee
Virginia Polytechnic Institute Women's Network
Virginia Religious Committee for ERA
-
folder
13-14 :
Women's Political Caucus
(1979-1981)
National materials, 1979-1981; and material arranged alphabetically by state, 1979-1980
-
folder
15 :
Organizations W
(1979-1981)
Washington Equal Rights Amendment Coalition
Women in Communications, Inc.
Women and Religion Task Force in Kansas City
Women for Sobriety, Washington Group
Women's Issues Forum, Glendale, Arizona
Women Space (Ohio)
Women's Resources for Action (Washington, D. C.)
Women's Campaign Fund
Women's Caucus for Art/Coalition of Women's Art Organizations
Women's Center of Eastern Montgomery County (Pennsylvania)
Women's Center, University of Tennessee
Women's Information Network (Missouri)
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
Women's Ordination Conference of Rhode Island
The Women's Room and Resource Center (Virginia)
Women in Communications, Inc.
Women and Religion Task Force in Kansas City
Women for Sobriety, Washington Group
Women's Issues Forum, Glendale, Arizona
Women Space (Ohio)
Women's Resources for Action (Washington, D. C.)
Women's Campaign Fund
Women's Caucus for Art/Coalition of Women's Art Organizations
Women's Center of Eastern Montgomery County (Pennsylvania)
Women's Center, University of Tennessee
Women's Information Network (Missouri)
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
Women's Ordination Conference of Rhode Island
The Women's Room and Resource Center (Virginia)
-
box
6 :
Equal Rights Amendment Information
(1972-1981)
-
folder
1 :
Statements of Extension and Recision
(1977-1978)
Testimony before Senate committee by Rugh Bader Ginsburg, Judith Hertz and Mildred Jeffrey in 1978 statements by Eleanor Smeal, Jan Tyler, and Carol Caston; a memorandum of law prepared by Lippman and Hart; and various fact sheets on the proposed ratification time and proposal to allow recision of approval of the Equal Rights Amendment.
-
folder
2-6 :
Judge Marion J. Callister
(1979-1981)
Judge Callister, a high ranking LDS Church leader was to sit on the case to decide if the recision of ratification of a constitutional amendment, in this case the Equal Rights Amendment, was legal in the Federal District Court for the District of Idaho. An attempt was made to disqualify him based on his authority in a church so vocal against the ERA Included here are copies of the disqualification motions and orders, 1979-1981; information sheets, press releases and newspaper clippings, 1979-1980; and the NOW Press Kit.
-
folder
7 :
Congressional Hearings on ERA
(1972-1978)
Statements supporting ERA including rebuttals to Senator Sam Ervin's Minority Report in relation to the Yale Law Journal report on ERA.
-
folder
8 :
Speeches and Statements on ERA
(1978-1979)
Includes speeches, statements and fact sheets.
-
folder
9 :
Reports on ERA
Reports made by the National Organization for Women.
-
folder
10 :
Pamphlets
Pamphlets, brochures and flyers in favor of ERA.
-
folder
11-15 :
Anti-ERA Information
Includes flyers and newsletters from the Eagle Forum and STOP ERA, statements of Senators Sam Ervin and Orrin G. Hatch, a transcript of the Utah State Senate discussion of the Equal Rights Amendment Rejection Resolution in 1979, and information on the Republican and Democratic Parties' attitudes toward the Equal Rights Amendment.
-
folder
16 :
Articles about ERA
(1977-1979)
-
folder
17-21 :
Newspaper Clippings on ERA
(1977-1980)
-
folder
22 :
Miscellaneous Information on ERA
-
box
7 :
LDS Church Organizations Against ERA
-
folder
1 :
Arizona
Information sent by Lou Ann Stoker Dickson about anti-ERA activities carried on in the LDS Churches in Tempe, Arizona, and news-clippings about Mormons in Arizona.
-
folder
2-3 :
Florida
Information and financial records on FACT-PAC (Families Are Concerned Today-Political Action Committee), its backing by LDS Church members, and its activities.
-
folder
4 :
Missouri
Information, correspondence, flyers about the Missouri Citizen's Council and its connection with the LDS Church.
-
folder
5-6 :
Nevada
Letters, articles, and information on the LDS Church's influence on Nevada politics from Renee and Sheldon Rampton, including Renee Rampton's paper "The Role of the Mormon Church in the 1978 Nevada Election."
-
folder
7-8 :
Nevada
Articles, statements, and other information on Citizen's Quest for Quality Government, its activities in Nevada, and its connection with the LDS Church.
-
folder
9-20 :
Nevada
Clippings, articles, and summary statements on the connection of Nevada Mormons and polictics including materials on Mormons and the ERA, The Mormon Voting Bloc, Beehive, and LDS Church publication and its political role; Ezra Taft Benson; the Conservative Caucus; Karen Hays Campaign; the Holt Campaign; International Women's Year in Nevada; Douglas Wallace; and other miscellaneous items.
-
folder
21-25 :
Virginia
Includes correspondence, articles and other information on the LDS Citizen's Coalition, including a typed transcript of the organizational meeting, and much about the coalition's involvement in Virginia politics in opposition to ERA Also included is a pamphlet and flyers on the "Equality Yes! ERA No!" link between the Virginia LDS Citizens Coalition and Phyllis Schlafly's STOP ERA movement, and some miscellaneous information.
-
folder
26 :
Miscellaneous States
Information about LDS Church activities against the ERA from California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina and Tennessee.
-
folder
27 :
General
Information on LDS Church political activities.
-
Series
MORMONS FOR ERA
-
box
8 :
LDS Church and ERA; LDS Church; Women LDS Church and ERA
(1975-1981)
-
folder
1 :
Meetings with LDS Church Officials
(1981)
Sets of notes made by Sonia Johnson and by Jan Tyler on a meeting between Sonia Johnson and Jan Tyler and two members of the LDS General Conference October 3, 1981, made by Gayle Brooks Freeman.
-
folder
2 :
Statements and Articles by LDS Church Officials
Letters, press releases, interviews, speeches and other statements by church leaders about the Equal Rights Amendment and the role of women in society.
-
folder
3 :
Primary Class Lesson
(1975)
Correspondence and information concerning the controversy over a girls' LDS primary lesson about honoring the priesthood.
-
folder
4-5 :
Mormons for ERA
Information Statements, articles, and other information about the LDS Church and its role in opposition to the ERA by the Mormons for ERA group.
-
folder
6 :
Pusillo Study
Paper by Sally Mercurio Pusill titled "Mormon Children's Present Sex and Future Sex-Role Preferences."
-
folder
7-17 :
Articles and Newspaper Clippings
(1975-1981)
Including a number of articles by Loneta Murphy, articles pro and anti-ERA, and newspaper clippings from 1975-1981 and undated.
LDS Church
LDS Church
-
folder
18-22 :
Articles and Newspaper Clippings
(1977-1981)
Women
-
folder
23 :
Articles on Women and Religion
-
folder
24-27 :
Articles, Papers and Newspaper Clippings on Women
(1971-1981)
-
box
9 :
Mormons for ERA
(1978-1981)
-
folder
1 :
Senate Committee Hearing
(1978)
Includes Sonia Johnson's travel voucher and testimony, a typed transcript of the hearing, a statement by Sonia Johnson about how she became involved which is partly a journal of events following the testimony, and a supportive statement by Hazel Rigby.
-
folder
2 :
Sonia Johnson Biographical Notes
(1979)
-
folder
3-8 :
Correspondence
(1978-1980)
Copies of letters written by Sonia Johnson or other members of the Mormons for ERA central organization about the groups activities, opinions, and business.
-
folder
9-17 :
Correspondence
(1978-1981)
Letters to state and national legislators from individuals and the Mormons for ERA group, 1978-1979; response from national legislators, 1978-1979; correspondence with the executive branch, 1978-1980; response from Virginia legislators and other state legislators, 1978-1979; and correspondence with representatives of the written and televised media, 1979-1981, and undated.
-
folder
18-20 :
Speeches and Statements
Speeches and statements about Mormons for ERA by Jan L. Tyler, Christine Arlene Chapman, James E. Chapman, Shirlie Kaplan, Sheldon Rampton, and Cheryl L. Dalton. Also included are some speeches with no name given.
-
folder
21 :
Activities Permits
(1978)
Permits for demonstrations on the United States Capitol grounds given to the Mormons for ERA by the United States Capitol Police Board.
-
folder
22-24 :
Bellevue, Washington Arrest
(1980)
Materials relating to the arrest of Sonia Johnson and twenty other people for chaining themselves to the gates of the L. D. S. Temple in Bellevue. Also included is material about the personal injury suit filed by Marty La-Brasse against the church members in charge of the temple. Included are letters, legal papers, name lists, news letters, press releases, and newspaper clippings.
-
folder
25 :
ERA Missionaries in Utah
(1981)
Information, including the model program for sending people door-to-door to speak for the ERA in Utah in the same way LDS Church missionaries operate.
-
folder
26 :
Southern California Mormons for ERA
(1979-1981)
Press releases, newsletters, flyers.
-
folder
27 :
Washington Mormons for ERA
(1979-1981)
Press releases, newsletters, statements, flyers
-
folder
28 :
Ex-Mormons for ERA
(1980-1981)
Invitation to join, press release, newspaper story.
Temporarily Restricted.
Temporarily Restricted.
-
folder
29-30 :
Utah Mormons for ERA
(1980)
Correspondence, minutes, memoranda.
-
box
10 :
Mormons for ERA
(1978-1981)
-
folder
1 :
By-laws
-
folder
2 :
Minutes
(1979-1980)
-
folder
3-4 :
Name and Address Lists
ERA supporters contact list, media representatives.
-
folder
5 :
Press Releases
(1978-1981)
-
folder
6-7 :
Newsletters
(1979-1981)
Copies of newsletters, articles for the newsletter, and name lists.
-
folder
8-10 :
Pamphlets
Pro-ERA pamphlets a document to encourage ratification, and Anti-Mormon pamphlets.
-
folder
11-13 :
Miscellaneous
Included are flyers, information on Mormons for ERA and a number of feminist songs and poems.
-
folder
14 :
Exponent II
(1978)
Copy of the Exponent II, Vol, III, No. 1, September 1976, a newspaper for Mormon Women.
-
folder
15-17 :
Articles and Newspaper Clippings
(1978-1981)
-
Series
CORRESPONDENCE--Temporarily Restricted
-
box
11 :
Correspondence-Mormons for ERA, A-H
(1979-1981)
-
folder
1 :
Name List
Alphabetical list of LDS, Pro-ERA Correspondents from boxes 11, 12 and 13.
-
folder
2-7 :
A-D
-
folder
8-10 :
Cheryl L. Dalton
(1980-1981)
-
folder
11-14 :
E-H
-
folder
15 :
Susan Hofen
(1981)
-
folder
18-23 :
Nadine Hansen
(1979-1981)
-
box
12 :
Correspondence-Mormons for ERA, I-T
(1978-1981)
-
folder
1-8 :
I-Mu
-
folder
9 :
Beatrice Marchant and Byron Marchant
(1978-1981)
-
folder
10 :
Loneta Murphy
(1978-1981)
-
folder
11-12 :
N-P
-
folder
13 :
Betty Parkinson
-
folder
14 :
Alice Allred Pottmyer
(1979-1981)
-
folder
15-18 :
R-S
-
folder
19 :
John Sillito and Linda Sillitoe
(1979-1981)
-
folder
20-22 :
T
-
box
13 :
Correspondence-Mormons for ERA, U-Z; Alienated and Ex-LDS for ERA, A-Z
(1978-1981)
LDS Pro ERA.
-
folder
1 :
Mary Jean Uebelgunne
(1979-1981)
-
folder
2-3 :
U-W
-
folder
4 :
Bill Washburn
(1979-1980)
-
folder
5-9 :
Arlene Wood
(1979-1981)
-
folder
10 :
Teddie Wood
(1978-1981)
-
folder
11 :
Z
-
folder
12-14 :
Multiple Signatures, Unsigned, and Incomplete Signatures
-
folder
15 :
Name List
-
folder
16-17 :
A-G
-
folder
18-26 :
John W. Gitzgerald
(1978-1981)
-
folder
27-31 :
H-Z, and Unsigned
-
box
14 :
Correspondence-Mormons for ERA Alienated and Ex-LDS, Religion
-
folder
1 :
Name List
-
folder
2-3 :
A-L
-
folder
4 :
Grant Mildenhall
-
folder
5-8 :
P-T, and Unsigned
-
box
15 :
Correspondence-LDS, Anti-ERA
(1979)
-
folder
1 :
Name List
-
folder
2-6 :
A-D
-
folder
7 :
Gigl Doty
(1979)
-
folder
8-25 :
E-Y, Multiple Signatures, Unsigned, and Incomplete Signatures
-
box
16 :
Correspondence-Non-LDS, Pro-ERA, A-E
-
folder
1 :
Name List
-
folder
2-20 :
A-E
-
box
17 :
Correspondence-Non-LDS, Pro-ERA, F-K
-
box
18 :
Correspondence-Non-LDS, Pro-ERA, L-Re
-
box
19 :
Correspondence-Non-LDS, Pro-ERA, Rh-Z
-
box
20 :
Correspondence - Non-LDS, Pro-ERA
-
folder
1-4 :
Multiple Signatures, Unsigned, Incomplete Signatures
-
box
21 :
Correspondence - Non-LDS, Anti-ERA, Non-LDS, Religion
-
folder
1-6 :
Non-LDS, Anti-ERA Name List, A - W, Unsigned
-
folder
7-27 :
Non-LDS, Relition Name list, A - Z, Multiple Signatures Unsigned, Incomplete Signatures
-
box
22 :
Pro-Sonia, Requests for ERA Information
-
folder
1-6 :
Pro-Sonia A - W
-
folder
7-14 :
Requests for ERA Information A - W
-
Series
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS, SPEECHES AND WRITINGS
-
box
23 :
Speaking Engagements
(1879-1981)
-
folder
1 :
Chronological List
(1979-1981)
List of speaking engagements accepted.
-
folder
2-22 :
Speaking Engagements
(1979-1981)
Correspondence, flyers, information regarding Sonia Johnson's personal appearances.
-
folder
23 :
Miscellaneous Information on Personal Appearances
-
folder
24 :
Engagements Declined
(1979-1981)
-
folder
25 :
Speaker's Bureaus
Information and flyers on Sonia Johnson's availability as a speaker through an organization.
-
folder
26 :
World Conference of the U. N. Decade for Women
(1980)
Correspondence and information about Sonia Johnson's attendance at this conference in Copenhagen, Denmark.
-
box
24 :
Speeches and Articles
(1978-1982)
-
folder
1 :
"The Last Great Western Patriarchy"
(1982)
Speech given on a panel, on the 10th of February 1982. ERA Referendum Strategies, Washington Institute for Women in Politics, Mt. Vernon College, Washington, D. C.
-
folder
2 :
"Patriarchial Panic: Sexual Politics in the Mormon Church"
(1979)
Paper presented at the American Psychological Association Meetings, September 1, 1979, New York City; and a summary of the paper.
-
folder
3 :
"Off Our Pedestals, or the Chronicles of the Uppity Sisters"
(1979)
Speech given at the Utah Women's Conference, October 1979. Included are notes and drafts of the speech.
-
folder
4 :
Speeches
(1978-1979)
Includes Sonia Johnson's testimony to the Senate Subcommittee in 1978,a speech of the National Organization for Women's Religious Panel in 1978; comments at a "Labor for Equal Rights Now" press conference, 1979; comments at the ERAmerica strategy session, 1979; a speech at the Montana NOW state conference, 1970; a speech at the Alice Louise Reynolds Women's Forum in Provo, Utah in 1979; and some other comments and remarks.
-
folder
5 :
Articles by Sonia Johnson
(1979-1981)
-
folder
6 :
Notes for Speeches and Articles
-
folder
7-10 :
Interviews
(1979-1981)
Transcripts of interviews of Sonia Johnson; Barbara B. Smith, LDS Relief Society President; and Beverly Campbell of the monetary reward on moral grounds. Included is a letter from Christie Hefner.
-
box
25 :
From Housewife to Heretic
A copy of the book is found in the Western Americana.
-
folder
1-13 :
Original Draft
No chapter numbers, typed with numerous revisions and inserts.
-
folder
14-28 :
Draft
Chapters 1-15, typed with revisions and additions.
-
box
26 :
From Housewife to Heretic
(1979-1981)
-
folder
1-14 :
Draft
Chapters 1-14, photocopy of typescript with revisions and additions.
-
folder
15 :
Book Jacket
-
folder
16 :
Doubleday Correspondence
(1980-1981)
Correspondence, including editor notes and comments, from Doubleday about the publication of From Housewife to Heretic.
-
folder
17 :
Tape Transcripts
Transcripts of taped material for use in the book with comments by Arlene Wood.
-
folder
18 :
Chapter Outlines
-
folder
19 :
Autobiography of Sonia Johnson Typescript
Typescript.
-
folder
20 :
Story Rights--David M. Jabusch
Correspondence between Jabusch and Sonia Johnson about his article and a copy of the paper he presented to the Speech Communication Association Convention in 1980 titled "Sonia Johnson and the Mormons for ERA Campaign."
-
folder
21-24 :
Story Rights--Correspondence
(1979-1980)
Letters between Sonia Johnson, Barbara Butler, Susan A. Grade, Sonia Johnson's lawyer, and others concerning the rights to Sonia's story.
-
Series
NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS
-
box
27 :
Newspaper Clippings
(1978-1982)
-
box
28 :
Newspaper Clippings
(1978-1982)
-
box
29 :
Newspaper Clippings
(1978-1982)
-
box
30 :
Newspaper Clippings
(1978-1982)
-
box
31 :
Newspaper Clippings
(1978-1982)
-
box
32 :
Newspaper Clippings
(1978-1982)
-
box
33 :
Newspaper Clippings
(1978-1982)
-
Series
MISCELLANEOUS
-
box
34 :
Daybooks
(1978-1981)
Spiral bound steno pads containing phone messages, notes on things to be done, notes for articles or speeches, address and phone numbers.
-
box
35 :
Miscellaneous
(1980)
-
folder
1 :
Religious Roundtable National Affairs Briefing
(1980)
Clippings and information about this politically right wing, moral-majority rally and convention in Dallas, Texas 21-22 August 1980. (See also: Speaking Engagements, about Sonia Johnson's speech in Dallas on August 24, 1980.)
-
folder
2-3 :
The Far Right Wing
Articles, statements and pamphlets by and about politically right wing and "Moral Majority" groups.
-
folder
4 :
Miscellaneous
Includes a cartoon on wage discrimination and an article about resistance movements.
-
folder
5 :
Ribbons, Buttons, Badges, and Stickers
-
folder
6 :
Interesting Envelopes
Small sampling of envelopes from letters mailed to Sonia Johnson which contain a number of editorial comments, or odd or incomplete addresses which still reached her.