Aurora Northland Lesbian Center records
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
- 1988-2012
Creator
- Aurora Northland Lesbian Center (Organization)
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.
- Articles of incorporation Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- By-laws Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Clubs Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Community life--Minnesota--Duluth Subject Source: Local sources
- Duluth (Minn.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Feminism Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Financial statements Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Lesbians Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Letters Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Logs Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Minutes Subject Source: Local sources
- Newsletters Subject Source: Local sources
- Newspaper clippings Subject Source: Local sources
- Organizations Subject Source: Local sources
- Performing arts Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Political activists Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Social conditions Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Social justice Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Social service Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Women Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Women’s organizations Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- 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
Kathryn A. Martin Library
University of Minnesota Duluth
416 Library Drive
Duluth MN 55812-3001
(218) 726-8526
libarchives@d.umn.edu
