Esther Nicholson Papers

Collection

Identifier: 92-24

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Esther Nicholson Papers consists of material related to Nicholson's work with the League of Women Voters (LWV) of Carson City, the League of Women Voters of Nevada, and League of Women Voters of the United States.

The series related to the LWV of Carson City includes bylaws, Bulletins, and issues subject files. Most of the subject files describe such League projects as alternative energy sources, information pamphlets about local governments and communities, and transportation. Also included is a membership list for the LWV of Las Vegas Valley.

The files of the LWV of Nevada are very similar to those of the Carson City organization. There are bylaws, programs, reports, and subject files, most of which relate legislative issues. The series of LWV of the U.S. contains subject files of League position papers and copies of Voter Magazine, the League's national publication.

Dates

1954-1991

Creator

Nicholson, Esther, 1902-1992 (Creator, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research. Materials must be used on-site; advance notice suggested. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Biographical Note

Esther Anderson Nicholson was born August 7, 1902 in Allegan County Michigan. She attended schools in Michigan and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Michigan in 1925.

After graduation, Esther taught history and civics at Mt. Clements near Detroit. In August 1927 she married Earl Nicholson whom she had met while in high school. They moved to Kentucky where Earl worked in the actuarial phase of the insurance business for four years, then eventually to New Jersey for twenty-two years. The Nicholsons moved to Nevada in 1961 where Earl became Deputy Commissioner and actuary of the Department of Insurance of the State of Nevada. Earl retired in 1971.

Esther became a member of the League of Women Voters in 1927 and was active in League activities throughout the rest of her life. In Nevada, she was twice state president and also local president of the League. She was particularly engrossed by the legislative process and served as a volunteer lobbyist for the League's concerns.

In addition to the League, Esther Nicholson's major interests were her family and the Unitarian Universalist Association, in which both she and Earl were active in the Social Concerns Committee. In January 1992, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Northern Nevada chose to honor Esther by enrolling her in the Clara Barton Sisterhood of the Unitarian Universalist Women's Federation. This nomination recognized Esther's contributions to the life and spirit of the Fellowship and its women's organizations.

Esther Anderson Nicholson died March 22, 1992.

Extent

1.4 Linear Feet (2 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Ester Nicholson (1902-1992) became a member of the League of Women Voters in 1927 and was active in League activities throughout the rest of her life. The collection includes Nicholson's files on the Nevada, Carson City, Las Vegas and U.S. Leagues of Women Voters, Nevada politics, Carson City (Nevada), and women in Nevada.

Arrangement

Arranged into the following series: 1) League of Women Voters of Carson City; 2) League of Women Voters of Nevada; 3) League of Women Voters of the United States