Skip to main content

Women's AIDS Network (WAN) records

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 95-04

Scope and Content of Collection

This collection contains minutes, correspondence, bylaws, grant information, project files, and educational files of the San Francisco chapter of the Women's AIDS Network (WAN). WAN started out meeting under the auspices of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and then reorganized as its own non-profit agency. This collection documents the activities of this organization from its founding in 1984 through 1991, with a few documents from 1992. Additional information on WAN, through 1998, can be found in the Nancy Shaw Stoller Papers (MS 2000-06).

These records document early and continuing advocacy work for women with HIV infection. WAN activities represented in this collection include: development and dissemination of educational materials, consulting, and advising other agencies and non-profits on the needs of HIV positive women, including creating a model policy statement on perinatal AIDS antibody testing.

The first four folders contain bylaws and other structure documents, as well as the "Relationship with San Francisco AIDS Foundation" folder and correspondence. Minutes of the monthly meeting often include flyers for events, articles, and other materials of interest. A membership list is included with the July 1986 minutes, and attendance sheets with names and organizations can be found with many of the later minutes. The October 1986 minutes include an article, "Women and AIDS" by Julie Murphy. A program for the National Council on Family Relations Annual Conference can be found with the September 1987 minutes.

Testimony to the Democratic Party Platform Meeting can be found with both the December 1987 minutes and the "Testimony of WAN Members" folder later in the collection. Other material in that folder includes testimony to the SF Human Rights Commission [and an unidentified piece]. Two more folders document WAN's suggestions to the San Francisco Department of Public Health. WAN's Legislative activities are represented by the Legislative Summary with the February 1988 minutes, as well as the "Legislative and Public Policy" folder with the correspondence.

Financial information includes a folder from the Finance Committee and grant requests. The first folder of RWJ Foundation grant request includes the original Letters of Support; the copies that were attached to the actual application are found in the second folder. WAN's own small grant program, the Special Women's Fund, is represented by a single page describing the project. The articles and information files consist primarily of copies of journal and magazine articles, but some files also include original information. There are also a few folders of information on other WAN chapters/WAN activities in other cities and other related Women's and AIDS organizations. These organizations include Perinatal HIV Reduction and Education Demonstration Activity (PHREDA), a project associated with WAN member Moher Downing, flyers for Project AWARE, and educational materials from the Women's Action Alliance.

Dates

  • Creation: 1985-1992

Language of Materials

Collection materials are in English

Access

Collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

Copyright has not been assigned to the Library & Center for Knowledge Management. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Archives & Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Library & Center for Knowledge Management as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

Organizational History

The Women's AIDS Network (WAN) was informally established in June of 1983 at the second National AIDS Forum in Denver. In March of 1984, women involved in AIDS services in the Bay Area began meeting as a support group. From this initial support group, WAN evolved into an advocacy organization and informational resource, both for women affected by HIV and for the providers who serve them. WAN provided a forum for information exchange among members who included women in the medical, mental health, and social services fields, along with community activists and social and political advocates and women living with HIV. WAN held regular information sharing meetings for Bay Area members and sent regular informational mailings to members.

WAN sponsored major educational forums and numerous speaking engagements; advocated and organized to support a legislative climate responsive to HIV-affected women's needs; provided informal technical assistance and review to other agencies; distributed information worldwide in response to hundreds of direct requests; developed a model policy on perinatal AIDS antibody testing; sponsored social events; and maintained a resource library and referral service. WAN advocated for public policies, educational materials, and comprehensive services for all HIV-affected women, including women with children, women of all ethnic and economic backgrounds and sexual preferences, women working in the sex industry, and incarcerated women. A special Women's Fund provided small grants to women living with HIV/AIDS in San Francisco. Still, in their own words WAN was "foremost, ... a support network for our members." Members of note include: Sue Williams, treasurer; Eileen Hansen, 1995 Board President; Susyn Almond, 1992 Board President; Angie Lewis (UCSF - Nursing School); Gloria Lockett (CAL-PEP); Ruth Schwartz (AIDS Foundation); Nancy Stoller (UC Santa Cruz); Moher Downing (PHEDRA); Elise Parker (Consortium); Barbara Garcia (CPC Board); and J. D. Bensen (AHP), some of whom are mentioned in the collection.

Extent

1 carton (1.25)

Abstract

This collection contains minutes, correspondence, drafts and published articles, bylaws, and other legal documents illustrating the work of the Women's AIDS Network (WAN) from 1986-1992. WAN was the first women's organization among the community service organizations that sprung up around the AIDS crisis.

System of Arrangement

Arranged to the folder level.

Physical Location

For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog: http://www.library.ucsf.edu/.

Acquisition Information

The Women's AIDS Network (WAN) Records were donated to the library in 1995.

Alternate Forms Available

There are no alternate forms of this collection.

Related Collections

MSS 2000-06 Nancy (Shaw) Stoller Papers

MSS 94-60 San Francisco AIDS Foundation Records

MSS 96-31 Angie Lewis Papers

General

Finding Aid Written By:
Julia Bazar
Date Completed:
April 2007

Processing Information

Julia Bazar, June 2005

Title
Finding Aid to the Women's AIDS Network (WAN) Records, 1985-1992
Author
Finding Aid written by Julia Bazar
Date
© 2007
Description rules
Finding Aid Prepared Using Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Description is in English
Sponsor
Funding for processing this collection was provided by The National Historical Records and Publications Commission

Repository Details

Part of the UCSF Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
UCSF Kalmanovitz Library
530 Parnassus Avenue
San Francisco CA 94143-0840 USA