Donna Novak Coles papers

Collection

Identifier: W010

Staff Only

Scope and Content of the Papers

The Donna Novak Coles papers, organized in two series, consists of manuscript materials (notes, correspondence, news clippings, printed materials and publications) related to Coles's participation in the Women's Movement and efforts to ratify the ERA, 1968-1984. Series I contains materials related to Coles's involvement with the League of Women Voters of Georgia, Inc., the bulk of which relates specifically to their state Constitution Revision Committee, 1968-1983; Series II contains materials relating to Coles' activities in other women's organizations and their efforts to ratify the ERA in Georgia, 1974-1984.

Dates

1968-1984

Creator

Coles, Donna Novak (Person)

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.

Biography of Donna Novak Coles

Donna Novak Coles was born in Atlanta, Texas, 5 December 1945. While in Texas, Coles participated in Democratic candidate Frances (Sissy) Tarlton Farenthold's 1972 campaign for governor. In Georgia, Coles was active with the Feminist Action Alliance, Housewives for the ERA, Georgia Women's Political Caucus, the League of Women Voters, and she was one of the few individual members of ERA Georgia. Inc., the umbrella organization for all groups supporting passage of the Equal Rights Amendment.

As a member of the League of Women Voters of Georgia, Coles served as a chairperson on both the Legal Status of Women and the Georgia Constitutional Revision committees, and as a lobbyist. In 1995, Donna Novak Coles was named, along with her husband, businessman Michael Coles, as the 1995 Georgia Philanthropist of the Year. In 1996, she became a member of the Water's Edge Committee of the Georgia Women's Movement Project, a cooperative project of GSU's Women's Studies Institute and University Library's Special Collections Department, and was a member of the GSU Foundation from 1998 to 2001.

Extent

2.09 Linear Feet (in 5 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract:

Donna Novak Coles was active with the Feminist Action Alliance, Housewives for the ERA, Georgia Women's Political Caucus, the League of Women Voters, and she was one of the few individual members of ERA Georgia. Inc., the umbrella organization for all groups supporting passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. The Donna Novak Coles papers, organized in two series, consists of manuscript materials (notes, correspondence, news clippings, printed materials and publications) related to Coles's participation in the Women's Movement and efforts to ratify the ERA, 1968-1984.