Guide to the Rhode Island Commission on Women records , 1970-2005

Rhode Island State Archives
Rhode Island State Archives
337 Westminster Street
Providence, RI 02903
Tel: 401-222-2353
Fax: 401-222-3199
email: statearchives@sos.ri.gov

Published in 2009

Collection Overview

Title:	Rhode Island Commission on Women records
Date range:	1970-2005
Creator:	Rhode Island Commission on Women
Extent:	4.9 cubic feet other
Abstract:	The Rhode Island Commission on Women records consists of the administrative records created during the course of activities completed by the Rhode Island Commission on Women.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	Rhode Island State Archives
Collection number:	2009-17

Scope & content

The Rhode Island Commission on Women records consists of the administrative records created during the course of activities completed by the Rhode Island Commission on Women. Subjects covered include the annual Women of the Year awards, pay equity, discrimination, equal rights, welfare reform, domestic violence, child support and day care, sexual assault and reproductive choice.

Access Points

Subject Organizations

• Rhode Island Commission on Women

Subject Topics

• Rhode Island Commission on Women. Task Force on Power and Control
• Equality.
• Social justice.
• Equal rights amendments--United States.
• Equality before the law.
• Sex discrimination against women--Law and legislation.
• Rape--Prevention
• Anti-rape movement
• Rape--United States--Prevention.
• Welfare reform
• Women-owned business enterprises.
• Pay equity--Rhode Island.
• Child support
• Child care.
• Discrimination in employment.
• Affirmative action programs.
• Equity.
• Family violence.
• Gender culture politics
• Stereotypes (Social psychology)
• Human rights.
• Reproductive rights
• Respect for persons--Law and legislation.
• Women's rights.
• Affirmative action programs.
• Women's history

Subject Topics

• Government, Politics and Law
• Race, Ethnicity and Gender
• Rhode Island/Local Interest

Document Types

• correspondence
• floppy disks
• resumes
• minutes
• administrative records
• questionnaires
• grants
• procedures
• reports
• calendars
• newsletters
• annual reports
• clippings (information artifacts)
• organizational charts
• scrapbooks
• photographs
• vouchers

Arrangement

The Rhode Island Commission on Women records are arranged into the following series:

• Series 1. Administrative Records

Historical note

The Commission began in 1970 as a Permanent Advisory Commission on Women in Rhode Island. After 22 years as an advisory commission, in 1992 the General Assembly amended the General Laws of Rhode Island (Title 42, Chapter 119) to change its status to an agency of Rhode Island Government.

The Rhode Island Commission on Women is a 26 member commission supported by a director and a corps of volunteers. Its mission is to advance women toward full equity. A non-partisan state agency, it works to promote rights and opportunities for all women across all arenas, including - but not limited to - education, health, economic development, employment, legal rights, political participation and the quality of individual and family life. The Commission carries out its responsibilities through standing and ad hoc committees, the membership consisting of appointed commissioners and numerous volunteers dedicated to the rights of women and girls.

The major responsibilities of the Rhode Island Commission on Women is to advise and submit recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly, gather and disseminate information to women and/or the general public on issues relating to women, develop and/or support programs and services for women, collaborate with concerned organizations, groups, and state departments on issues of common concerns, educate and encourage women to exercise the right to vote; encourage candidacy for public office and promote appointment of qualified women to boards, commissions, and government positions at all levels and evaluate, monitor, and propose federal and state legislation and advise legislators on issues relating to women.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	No special restrictions unless otherwise specified.
Use of the materials:	Copyright is in the public domain unless otherwise specified. We reserve the right to restrict reproduction of materials due to preservation concerns.
Preferred citation:	Rhode Island Commission on Women records, 2009-17, Rhode Island State Archives.
Contact information:	Rhode Island State Archives Rhode Island State Archives 337 Westminster Street Providence, RI 02903 Tel: 401-222-2353 Fax: 401-222-3199 email: statearchives@sos.ri.gov

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Acquisition:	Transferred from Shanna Wells, M.Ed., Director, Project Management and Administration, Rhode Island Commission on Women One Capitol Hill, 2nd Floor Providence, RI 02908-5816 on May 29, 2009.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by Kate Telford.
Encoding:	Finding aid encoded by Kate Telford 2009 June 08
Descriptive rules:	Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Inventory

---