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Aurora Northland Lesbian Center records

 Collection
Identifier: S6167

Scope and Contents

The collection contains articles of incorporation; by-laws; updated mission statements; organizational policies and procedures; board minutes and accompanying materials including some financial statements, 1990-2009; newsletters, 1989-1994; letters; news clippings; and phone/drop-in logs.

Dates

  • Creation: 1988-2012

Creator

Conditions Governing Access:

Due to privacy concerns some folders are restricted to research use by permission of archivist.

Conditions Governing Access

Open for use in the Kathryn A. Martin Library, Archives and Special Collections.

Conditions Governing Use

This collection may be protected by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code). It is the user's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and to obtain all necessary permissions prior to the reproduction, publication, or other use of any portion of these materials. Researchers may quote from the collection under the fair use provision of the copyright law.

Biographical / Historical

Aurora Northland Lesbian Center was founded in Duluth, Minnesota in 1988 as the Lesbian Task Force. The group incorporated that year as Elsie Center then changed its name in 1989 to Aurora: A Northland Lesbian Center. The non-profit organization was based on a membership model, with a board of directors, volunteers, and, in some years, a paid staff member. Originally located at 8 North Second Avenue East, the Center moved into Duluth’s Building for Women at 32 East First Street in 1994.

Aurora provided a drop-in center, library, newsletter, referrals by phone and in person, and social events. Aurora members produced the annual Northern Lights Womyn’s Music Festival from 1990 to 1998. Decreasing membership and a lack of funding led to Aurora’s closure in 2012.

The 1988 articles of incorporation included these goals:

To increase self-acceptance, self-esteem and positive social identification among lesbian women

To promote awareness, education, and advocacy on lesbian issues and concerns in the community at large

To provide lesbian groups and individuals with a safe, sober-supportive environment conducive to meaningful, affirmative social interaction

To increase networking and communication among lesbians in the Duluth-Superior area and the Greater Northeast Minnesota region

To promote women’s cultural enrichment, with special consideration for lesbian culture

To sponsor events and activities that will further accomplish the goals stated above

Extent

1.25 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The collection contains articles of incorporation; by-laws; updated mission statements; organizational policies and procedures; board minutes and accompanying materials including some financial statements, 1990-2009; newsletters, 1989-1994; letters; news clippings; and phone/drop-in logs.

Physical Location

This collection is located at the University of Minnesota Duluth Archives. For more information about this collection or to make an appointment, contact us at libarchives@d.umn.edu or 218-726-8526.

Related Materials:

NEMHC Archival Collections S6162 North Country Women's Coffeehouse records

Title
Guide to the Aurora Northland Lesbian Center records
Author
Finding Aid Authors: M. David.
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Collecting Area Details

Contact The University of Minnesota Duluth Archives and Special Collections Collecting Area

Contact:
Kathryn A. Martin Library
University of Minnesota Duluth
416 Library Drive
Duluth MN 55812-3001
(218) 726-8526