Guide to the Jean Witter Papers, 1953-2007 AIS.2008.06

Arrangement

Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
Jean Witter Papers
Creator
Witter, Jean
Collection Number
AIS.2008.06
Extent
13 Linear Feet (10 records center boxes, 1 photograph box)
Date
1953-2007
Date
1965-1984
Abstract
This collection documents the activism of Jean Witter, a Pittsburgh lawyer, who was heavily involved with the National Organization for Women (NOW) and an advocate for the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. This collection contains correspondence, meeting minutes, promotional material, personal notes and writings, and ephemera related to the women's rights movement.
Language
English .
Author
Ashley Taylor
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System
Archives & Special Collections
Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Business Number: 412-648-3232 (Thomas) | 412-648-8190 (Hillman)
Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist
URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Ashley Taylor in January 2010. The material in the collection was weeded heavily, as a large portion of the material originally received by the ASC had little or no relevance to the collection. Material that was removed included a large amount of duplicate material, personal memorabilia, previously published resources such as magazines and congressional proceedings, information on general legal matters not relating to women's liberation, the Equal Rights Amendment, or Jean Witter, information on legal cases arbitrated by Jean Witter that contained personal information on clients and was not applicable to women's issues, a large amount of personal tax forms, and a substantial amount of unrelated mailings.

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Copyright

The University of Pittsburgh holds the property rights to the material in this collection, but the copyright may still be held by the original creator/author. Researchers are therefore advised to follow the regulations set forth in the U.S. Copyright Code when publishing, quoting, or reproducing material from this collection without the consent of the creator/author or that go beyond what is allowed by fair use.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Raymond and David Witter on August 5, 2008.

Scope and Content Notes

The Jean Witter Papers include correspondence, legislative material relating to the Equal Rights Amendment, meeting minutes and organizational information on the National Organization for Women (specifically the Pittsburgh chapter), promotional material for both the ERA and NOW, personal records, a sampling of articles and notes on general women's issues, Witter's personal writings (both notes and essays), and ephemeral material relating to the women's rights movement. The primary focus of the collection is on Witter's involvement in NOW and the foundations of the Pittsburgh chapter, and her work on the passage of the ERA. The collection also contains several audio cassettes, which include speeches and interviews given by Witter, as well as material relating to the overall movement for equality for women.

Previous Citation

Jean Witter Papers, 1953-2007, AIS.2008.06, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh

Preferred Citation

Jean Witter Papers, 1953-2007, AIS.2008.06, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

Biography

Jean Witter was born Jean Peindl on July 23, 1927, and was raised in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. She earned a degree in crystallography from Duquesne University during World War II, which was rather rare for the time period. She worked as a chemical librarian until she was able to get a research position at the University of Pittsburgh. She married DuWayne Witter and had two sons.

During the 1960s, Witter became interested in the women's rights movement, and became one of the first presidents of the Pittsburgh chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW). She was interested primarily in the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), and was appointed Chairperson for NOW's ERA Committee. In order to strengthen her arguments and credibility, Witter attended law school at Duquesne in the early 1970s. After passing the bar exam, Witter threw herself into promoting the ratification of the ERA. One of her most significant contributions to the campaign was a legal opinion she authored that prompted Congress to extend the deadline for ratification by three years. After the ERA failed to pass, Witter still remained active as a lawyer, mostly by advocating women's issues, particularly in regards to sexual discrimination and equal employment rights.

Witter passed away in 2008, at the age of 80.

Subjects

    Corporate Names

    • National Organization for Women. Pittsburgh Chapter
    • National Organization for Women. Pennsylvania Chapter
    • National Organization for Women

    Personal Names

    • Judd Hill, Cindy
    • Evansgardner, JoAnn
    • Schlafly, Phyllis
    • Heide, Wilma Scott
    • Witter, Jean

    Geographic Names

    • Pittsburgh (Pa.)

    Other Subjects

    • Social action
    • Personal papers
    • Women's studies -- United States
    • Women
    • Feminists -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Feminism -- United States
    • Women -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- United States
    • Equal rights amendments -- United States
    • Women's rights -- United States

Container List