Pauline Menes papers
Abstract
Pauline H. Menes (1924-2009) was a delegate to the Maryland General Assembly representing the 21st district of Prince George's County from 1966 until 2007. During her legislative career, Delegate Menes focused on the issues of education, health care, the criminal justice system, aging, the arts, and women's concerns. Her papers also deal with the subjects of abortion, battered spouse and divorce legislation, the Metro, rape, the University of Maryland, and the National Women's Conference. The files consist of correspondence, agenda, meeting minutes, newspaper clippings, and press releases.
Important Information for Users of the Collection
This collection is open for research.
Pauline Menes papers, Special Collections, University of Maryland Libraries.
Photocopies of original materials may be provided for a fee and at the discretion of the curator. Please see our Duplication of Materials policy for more information. Queries regarding publication rights and copyright status of materials within this collection should be directed to the appropriate curator.
This collection is PROCESSED.
Historical Note
Pauline Herskowitz Menes has represented the 21st district of Prince George's County, Maryland, in the Maryland General Assembly since she first took office in 1966 until 2007.
She was born on July 16, 1924 in New York City, New York. She spent her childhood in New York and graduated from Grove Cleveland High School in 1941. She then entered Hunter College to study business economics and geography, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1945.
Upon graduation, Menes moved to Washington, D. C. to work for the government as an economist on a temporary wartime basis during World War II. She worked as an economist in the Office of the Quarter Master General from 1945 to 1947, where she met her husband Melvin while training him as her replacement. They were married on September 1, 1946. She then served as a geographer for the Army Map Service, a position she held from 1949 until 1950.
Menes' entry into politics came in 1953 when she became active in organizing a voter registration drive in the University Hills area and served as Precinct Club Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and Corresponding Secretary. She continued to participate in Prince George's County politics, serving as Campaign Secretary for the 1962 Primary and General Elections, 1962 Register of Wills candidate, 1963 County Board of Elections Chief Clerk, and 1966 Secretary for the Democratic Steering Committee. She worked as a substitute teacher in county public high schools during 1965-1966 until she gained a seat in the Maryland House of Delegates in 1966. With that appointment, she served Prince George's County on a full-time basis, beginning her 6th term in 1987.
Menes identified two of the issues that originally motivated her to enter politics as education and health care. During her tenure in the legislature, she focused on these and other issues including the criminal justice system, juvenile justice, aging, the arts, and a broad range of women's issues. These interests are reflected in the major political and governmental positions she held over her twenty-two years in politics, such as: the National Order of Women Legislators (National President, 1979-1980); Maryland State Arts Council (Member, 1968-1987); Maryland Commission on Aging (Member 1975-1987); National Conference of State Legislators (Founding President, 1977-1979); Prince George's County Women's Political Caucus (Charter member 1971); Prince George's County Domestic Violence Task Force (Member 1983-1985); The Arts, Tourism, and Cultural Resources Commission of the National Conference of State Legislatures (Member 1981-1987); the Maryland Women Legislator's Caucus (President 1975-1979); and the leader of the Maryland delegation to the National Women's Conference (1977).
More recently, Menes ran on an incumbent's ticket in 1986, identified as the "21st Democratic Team," headed by Senator Arthur Dorman. Menes and Dorman had run on the same ticket since their initial campaign in 1966, in which both were elected.
Campaign literature for her 1986 election emphasizes the need to improve local schools, revitalize older commercial areas, and prevent traffic congestion problems that have plagued neighboring Montgomery County. In her campaign statements, Menes emphasized her past focus on services for the elderly and expressed the need to establish additional government services as the elderly population increases. She also brought attention to the link between crime and drugs and the need for a crackdown on drug dealing and the development of new drug treatment programs in prisons and neighborhoods.
Delegate Menes served as Chairman of the Special House Committee on Juveniles and Drugs, a member of the Judiciary Committee (since 1979), and a member of the Rules and Executive Nominations Committee (since 1979).
Recognition of her legislative accomplishments has come from many sources. Among the numerous awards she received are the Ann Landon Scott Award for Legislative Excellence by the Maryland National Organization for Women in 1976, the International Women's Year Award by the Prince George's County International Women's Year Commission in 1977, and the Woman of the Year award by the College Park Business and Profession Women's Association in 1978.
In 2007, Menes retired after serving 40 years in political and public service. After retirement, Menes continued to remain politically active, campaigning for Hilary Clinton in 2008.
Pauline Menes died on May 16, 2009.
Scope and Contents of the Collection
The papers of Pauline Menes consist of material accumulated by Menes during her career as a delegate in the Maryland General Assembly. The collection covers the years 1970 to 1986. The bulk of the materials date from 1977 to 1978. Her papers include professional correspondence, agenda, minutes, newspaper clippings, press releases, certificates of achievement, photographs, studies and reports. Among the central topics covered in the papers are abortion, battered spouse and divorce legislation, the Metro, rape, the University of Maryland, numerous organizations in which she was involved, and the National Women's Conference.
Custodial History and Acquisition Information
The papers of Pauline Menes were donated to the University of Maryland College Park Libraries by Delegate Menes in June 1987.
Processing Information
Processed by Patricia A. McCracken, May 1988. Revised by Maureen Cech, May 2010.
The papers of Delegate Menes have been arranged based upon the original order in which they were received. Nine series were identified that correspond to issues and organizations with which Menes was connected. The materials were then arranged into the appropriate series. Reading file material and state documents that were not annotated in any way were separated from the collection and dispersed or discarded. All paper clips were replaced with plastic clips. Photographs were separated and transferred to the photographic collection. The materials were then refoldered into acid-free folders and boxed into acid-free containers. Finally, the guide was written.
Ead markup created using EAD database in Microsoft Access. Markup completed by Henry Allen, July 2004.
Arrangement of Collection
The collection is organized as 7 (seven) series.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1: Biographical Material, 1969-1970 (1 lin. Inch)
Series I consists of biographical newspaper clippings certificates of recognition. Materials are arranged by document type, then chronologically.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biographical Material, 1969-1970 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
Series 2: Legislation, 1978-1983 (0.5 linear feet)
Series II contains incoming correspondence and photocopies of outgoing correspondence, primarily to and from constituents, copies and draft and final legislation, newspaper clippings relating to legislative issues, and background information on particular issues. Issues covered are: abortion; battered spouses, including a personal account from a battered spouse that is restricted for 75 years or until the death of the author; disposition of property after a divorce or annulment; and legislation affecting women. Arrangement is chronological within each folder. Folders are arranged alphabetically.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abortion -- Background Material, 1980 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
| Abortion -- Correspondence, 1979-1981 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 3 | |
| Abortion -- Legislative Action, 1980 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 4 | |
| Abortion -- Newspaper Clippings, 1980 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 5 | |
| Battered Spouse -- Background Material, 1978 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 6 | |
| Battered Spouse -- Correspondence, 1978-1979 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 7 | |
| Battered Spouse -- Correspondence-personal account (RESTRICTED), 1976 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 8 | |
| Battered Spouse -- Newspaper Clippings, [1978?]-1979 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 9 | |
| Battered Spouse -- Publications, 1978 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 10 | |
| Battered Spouse -- Testimony, 1979 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 11 | |
| Divorce and Annulment/Disposition of Property -- Background Material, 1978 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 12 | |
| Divorce and Annulment/Disposition of Property -- Legislative Action, 1978 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 13 | |
| Divorce and Annulment/Disposition of Property -- Newspaper Clippings, [1978?] | series 2 | box 1 | folder 14 | |
| Women's Issues -- Legislative Action Summary, 1979 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 15 | |
Series 3: Issues, 1970-1983 (1 linear feet)
Series III is comprised of correspondence, studies, reports, minutes, publications, newspaper clippings, and background reading materials. The issues covered include credit, education, employment, Equal Rights Amendment, the Metro, rape, and the University of Maryland. Arrangement is chronological within each folder. Folder are arranged alphabetically by issue.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit -- Background Material, [1975?] | series 3 | box 1 | folder 16 | |
| Credit -- Correspondence, 1975 | series 3 | box 1 | folder 17 | |
| Credit -- Newspaper Clippings, 1974-1975 | series 3 | box 1 | folder 18 | |
| Education -- Background Material, 1972-1977 | series 3 | box 1 | folder 19 | |
| Education -- Correspondence, 1975 | series 3 | box 1 | folder 20 | |
| Education -- Newspaper Clippings, [1975?]-1979 | series 3 | box 1 | folder 21 | |
| Education -- Publications, 1972-[1975?] | series 3 | box 1 | folder 22 | |
| Employment -- Background Material, [1972?]-1976 | series 3 | box 1 | folder 23 | |
| Employment -- Correspondence, 1972-1975 | series 3 | box 1 | folder 24 | |
| Employment -- Newspaper Clippings, [1971?]-[1978?] | series 3 | box 1 | folder 25 | |
| Equal Rights Amendment -- Background Material, 1970-1983 | series 3 | box 1 | folder 26 | |
| Equal Rights Amendment -- Correspondence, 1975-1983 | series 3 | box 1 | folder 27 | |
| Equal Rights Amendment -- Newspaper Clippings, [1971?]-[1978?] | series 3 | box 1 | folder 28 | |
| Metro -- Correspondence, 1973-1977 | series 3 | box 1 | folder 29 | |
| Metro -- Newspaper Clippings, 1975 | series 3 | box 1 | folder 30 | |
| Metro -- Reports, 1975-1976 | series 3 | box 1 | folder 31 | |
| Metro -- Studies, 1975-1976 | series 3 | box 2 | folder 1 | |
| Metro -- Testimony, 1975 | series 3 | box 2 | folder 2 | |
| Metro -- Transit Authority, 1975-1976 | series 3 | box 2 | folder 3 | |
| Rape -- Background Material, [1972?]-1977 | series 3 | box 2 | folder 4 | |
| Rape -- Correspondence, 1974-1978 | series 3 | box 2 | folder 5 | |
| Rape -- Newspaper Clippings, 1973-1979 | series 3 | box 2 | folder 6 | |
| Rape -- Rape Task Force, 1973 | series 3 | box 2 | folder 7 | |
| University of Maryland -- Correspondence, 1972-1975 | series 3 | box 2 | folder 8 | |
| University of Maryland -- Newspaper Clippings, 1973-1977 | series 3 | box 2 | folder 9 | |
Series 4: Organizations, 1971-1986 (0.5. linear feet)
Series IV contains correspondence, minutes, programs, newsletters, and newspaper clippings relating to various organizations in which Menes was involved. These organizations include: City/Campus Civility Committee; Community-University Day Advisory Council; Institute on Women's Wrongs; Maryland Association of Women Highway Safety Leaders; Maryland Commission on the Status of Women; National Women's Political Caucus; Prince George's County Political Caucus; Washington Institute for Women in Politics; and Women's Legislative Caucus.
Arrangement is chronological within each folder. Folders are arranged alphabetically by organization.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City-Campus Civility Committee -- Background Material, [1985?] | series 4 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
| City-Campus Civility Committee -- Correspondence, 1985-1986 | series 4 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
| City-Campus Civility Committee -- Minutes, 1985 | series 4 | box 1 | folder 3 | |
| City-Campus Civility Committee -- Newspaper Clippings, 1985 | series 4 | box 1 | folder 4 | |
| City-Campus Civility Committee -- Proposed Guidelines, 1986 | series 4 | box 1 | folder 5 | |
| Community-University Day Advisory Council -- Background Material, 1971-1972 | series 4 | box 1 | folder 6 | |
| Community-University Day Advisory Council -- Correspondence, 1971-1973 | series 4 | box 1 | folder 7 | |
| Community-University Day Advisory Council -- Minutes, 1971 | series 4 | box 1 | folder 8 | |
| Community-University Day Advisory Council -- Newspaper Clippings, 1971-1973 | series 4 | box 1 | folder 9 | |
| Community-University Day Advisory Council -- Program, 1971-1972 | series 4 | box 1 | folder 10 | |
| Institute of Women's Wrongs -- Correspondence, 1973-[1975?] | series 4 | box 1 | folder 11 | |
| Institute of Women's Wrongs -- Minutes, 1973 | series 4 | box 1 | folder 12 | |
| Institute of Women's Wrongs -- Publications, 1972-1973 | series 4 | box 1 | folder 13 | |
| Maryland Association of Women Highway Safety Leaders -- Correspondence, 1977 | series 4 | box 1 | folder 14 | |
| Maryland Commission on the Status of Women -- Correspondence, 1972-1976 | series 4 | box 1 | folder 15 | |
| Maryland Commission on the Status of Women -- Minutes, 1976 | series 4 | box 1 | folder 16 | |
| Maryland Commission on the Status of Women -- Newspaper Clippings, 1972 | series 4 | box 1 | folder 17 | |
| National Women's Political Caucus -- Newspaper Clippings, 1971-[1977?] | series 4 | box 1 | folder 18 | |
| National Women's Political Caucus -- Publications, 1971-1976 | series 4 | box 1 | folder 19 | |
| Prince George's County Women's Political Caucus -- Newsletters, 1973-1975 | series 4 | box 1 | folder 20 | |
| Washington Institute for Women in Politics -- Correspondence, 1978 | series 4 | box 1 | folder 21 | |
| Women's Legislative Caucus -- Agenda, 1978 | series 4 | box 1 | folder 22 | |
| Women's Legislative Caucus -- Correspondence, 1977-1978 | series 4 | box 1 | folder 23 | |
| Women's Legislative Caucus -- Minutes, 1978 | series 4 | box 1 | folder 24 | |
| Women Legislators of Maryland -- Notes, 1985 | series 4 | box 1 | folder 25 | |
Series 5: National Women's Conference, [1977?]-1978 (0.5 linear feet)
Series V consists of correspondence, press releases, agenda, newsletters, newspaper clippings, minutes, publications, and resolutions relating to the National Women's Conference held in Houston, Texas, November 18-21, 1977 in which Menes served as leader of the delegation from Maryland. Arrangement is chronological within each folder. Folders are arranged alphabetically.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agenda, 1977 | series 5 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
| Correspondence, 1977 | series 5 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
| Delegates, 1977 | series 5 | box 1 | folder 3 | |
| Maryland Delegation -- Agenda, 1977 | series 5 | box 1 | folder 4 | |
| Maryland Delegation -- Correspondence, 1977-1978 | series 5 | box 1 | folder 5 | |
| Maryland Delegation -- Minutes, 1977-1978 | series 5 | box 1 | folder 6 | |
| Maryland Delegation -- Press Releases, 1977 | series 5 | box 1 | folder 7 | |
| Newsletters, 1977 | series 5 | box 1 | folder 8 | |
| Newspaper Clippings, [1977?]-1978 | series 5 | box 1 | folder 9 | |
| Plan of Action, 1977 | series 5 | box 1 | folder 10 | |
| Press Releases, 1977-1978 | series 5 | box 1 | folder 11 | |
| Resolution, 1977 | series 5 | box 1 | folder 12 | |
| State Resolution, 1977 | series 5 | box 1 | folder 13 | |
| The Spirit of Houston, 1978 | series 5 | box 1 | folder 14 | |
Series 6: Photographs, [197?]-[198?] (1 linear inches)
Series VI consists of individual portraits of Menes and Menes with other legislators.
The box inventory for this series is not currently available online. Please refer to the series description above for a broad description of the materials or contact the department for more information.
Series 7: Memorabilia, 1978 (1 linear inches)
Series VI consists of two 1978 campaign bumper stickers.
The box inventory for this series is not currently available online. Please refer to the series description above for a broad description of the materials or contact the department for more information.
Related Material
The Goucher College Archives in Towson, Maryland, contains an oral history interview with Pauline Menes from 1980 in its Maryland Women Lawmakers Oral History Project Collection.
For other related archival and manuscript collections, please see the following subject guides.
Selected Search Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the University of Maryland Libraries' Catalog. Researchers desiring related materials about these topics, names, or places may search the Catalog using these headings.
Subjects
- Abortion -- Government policy -- Maryland -- Archival resources
- Maryland. -- General Assembly -- History -- Sources
- Maryland -- Politics and government -- Archival resources
- Menes, Pauline H. -- Archives
- Women -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- Maryland -- Archival resources