Margaret Miller Curtis papers

Margaret Miller Curtis:

A Guide to Her Papers at Georgia State University Library

Georgia State University
Georgia State University
Special Collections and Archives
100 Decatur St., SE
Atlanta, GA 30303-3202
404-413-2880
Fax: 404-413-2881
archives@gsu.edu

1996-2008

Organization of the Papers

Scope and Content of the Papers

The Margaret Miller Curtis Papers, organized into six series, consists of material from the mid-1970s to 1996. These materials, including printed materials, speeches, and correspondence, reflect her involvement with the Council on Battered Women, as well as her efforts to ratify the ERA in Georgia through her work as president of People of Faith for the ERA, chair of the Speaker’s Bureau for ERA Georgia, and her membership in ERA Georgia, the National Women’s Political Caucus, the League of Women Voters, and the Georgia Women’s Political Caucus. Manuscript materials (notes, correspondence, news clippings, printed materials and publications) in this collection document not only her involvement with these organizations, but her attendance at major conferences concerning women and the ERA, as well as her involvement in politics and religion.

Series I contains Curtis’ personal and public correspondence and Series II contains speeches and writings both produced and collected by Curtis concerning battered women, People of Faith for the ERA, and feminism and Christianity. Series III contains information from the various organizations Curtis was involved with during the 1970s and 1980s. Series IV consists of printed material and personal notes from conferences Curtis attended, including the White House Conferences on Families in 1980. Series V is material filed by subject, including ERA pamphlets and brochures as well as ERA opposition material. Finally, Series VI consists of Curtis’ personal materials, including writings and news clippings.

Biography of Margaret Miller Curtis

Margaret Miller Curtis, born in Marianna, Florida on 1 November 1935, earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Florida State University and taught elementary school in Florida and Ohio. In 1973 she moved to Georgia and became active in the Women’s Movement centering her Christian faith in her activism for women’s rights. During the 1970's and 1980's she functioned as a writer, lobbyist, and fund-raiser for a number of organizations, including People of Faith for the ERA, ERA Georgia, Inc., and the Council on Battered Women. Curtis traveled and spoke extensively to religious groups, at community meetings, and at organizational conferences throughout Georgia, advocating for the ratification of the ERA. Curtis was chair of the Speaker’s Bureau for ERA Georgia, Inc. (1979-1980), was president of People of Faith for the ERA in Georgia (1980-1982), and has served on the board of directors for the Council on Battered Women (1975, 1986-88). Curtis “specialized” in newspaper publicity and letter writing and has had over 500 letters to the editor published in addition to those she authored for others. Many of these, which she continues to write, address the ERA and other women’s issues. Her cartoons and creative writings, some of which have also been published, reflect her activism and interest in these issues. Curtis resides in Vinings, Georgia.

Index Terms

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the Georgia State University Library online catalog (GIL). Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Restrictions

Restrictions on Access

Unrestricted access.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

To quote in print, or otherwise reproduce in whole or in part in any publication, including on the Worldwide Web, any material from this collection, the researcher must obtain permission from (1) the owner of the physical property and (2) the holder of the copyright. Persons wishing to quote from this collection should consult the reference archivist to determine copyright holders for information in this collection. Reproduction of any item must contain the complete citation to the original. All requests subject to limitations noted in departmental policies on reproduction.

Administrative Information

Citation

[item], [folder title], [series title], Margaret Miller Curtis papers, W005, Donna Novak Coles Georgia Women's Movement Archives. Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University, Atlanta.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Margaret Miller Curtis.

Processing Information

Processed by processing staff, 1996-2000; 2006; 2009.

Related Material

Related materials in this repository: See also the Margaret Miller Curtis interview in the Georgia Women’s Movement Oral History Collection.

Separated Material

Separated material: During processing, printed items such as pamphlets and periodicals were separated to the Women's Printed Collection. Books are catalogued and accessible via the GSU on-line system and national bibliographic databases; artifacts are housed separately. See List of Separated Material following Detailed Description of the Collection.