Sewell, Elizabeth, 1940-1988

Date: 1988

By: Young, Hugh Paterson, 1944-

Reference: MS-Papers-10279

Description: Reminiscences written after Elizabeth's death in 1988, by a childhood neighbour in Christchurch and friend Quantity: 1 folder(s) (7 leaves). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Typescript

Date: 23 09 00 - 23 Sep 2000

From: YWCA of Wellington and Hutt Valley oral history project

By: Abigail, Jill, 1939?-; Reid, Jennie Christina, 1950-

Reference: OHInt-0590-8

Description: Jennie Christina Reid, known as Tina, was born in Hastings in 1950. Mentions mother (Portuguese and Danish origins) who worked for the British Broadcasting Corporation before marriage, and father who had a returned serviceman's balloted farm in Hawkes Bay. Refers to Pukehou primary school, which gave insight into Maori culture. Talks about boarding school, Waikato University, and the freedom of university life, and recalls protests, Vietnam War activism and hippie ideals. Talks about first job at National Society on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, doing social and youth work. Mentions marriage at 22 to Peter Reid, and having two children. Describes work for Wellington Community Volunteers, Mackenzie Education Foundation. Mentions her influences, including the 1975 United Women's Convention, New Mothers' Support Groups, the Brooklyn Resource Centre, Household Income and Expenditure Survey. Mentions importance of Kindergarten and Playcentre. Talks about several roles in Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA); tutoring on its Diploma of Community and Youth Work; Development Officer for women with pre-school children. Describes the politics within YWCA, the contribution of Elizabeth Sewell and Gail Powell, and being introduced to women's networks through the YWCA. Mentions fulltime work as Community Development Officer and then Policy Officer at Wellington City Council. Talks about National YWCA, being a representative on the Personnel Committee, Jane Cumming and Pauline McKay. Talks about becoming president of the Wellington YWCA in 1994, staff she supervised, projects such as the Mothers' Alone project, Nydia Bay camps and the Maori Womens' Transfer Fund, working with Mary Goodwin and learning about management and governence from the YWCA. Mentions decision to leave the YWCA Presidency, job at Internal Affairs, the death of her husband and its impact on her family's life. Interviewer(s) - Jill Abigail Accompanying material - Project release form, biographical information, CV. Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-9073-9075 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-2876. Coloured photocopy of photo (wide shot) of Tina Reid Search dates: 1975 - 1995

Date: 19 06 00 - 19 Jun 2000

From: YWCA of Wellington and Hutt Valley oral history project

By: Levett, Vera Schlesinger, 1935-

Reference: OHInt-0590-7

Description: Vera Levett was born in Trencin, Czechoslovakia in 1935. Mentions Jewish origin, and talks about her mother who was a seamstress and her father who was a doctor. Talks about escaping Czechoslovakia during World War II, cousins who died in concentration camps, the impact of the Holocaust, bombing, air raids in England, and emigrating to the United States. Talks about girlhood, school, university and her doctorate in clinical psychology. Mentions marriage, moving to New Zealand, two children. Talks about interest in feminism, joining National Organisation of Women (NOW), feminist literature on mental health. Mentions work as guidance counsellor and at the Wellington School of Medicine. Describes helping establish Hecate Women's Health Collective in 1979, and involvement in a television documentary on mental health that was critical of doctors. Mentions Hecate referring women to Levett for counselling, and mentions the Women's Resource Centre. Talks about friendship with Elizabeth Sewell, National Director of YWCA, who recruited feminists. Talks about tension between Sewell and YWCA's non-feminist lobby, and being a YWCA board member. Mentions collegues Faith Gibbons, Audrey Reynolds, Mary-Jane Rivers and Gail Powell. Describes self defence courses, sexual abuse discussions, board meetings. Comments on YWCA as a traditional organisation and feminists' impact on it. Mentions Hecate's closure by the end of the 1980s. Talks about decision to leave YWCA to work at Child and Family service, Hutt Valley Health and her private practice. Talks about feminism's impact on her children, and mentions adoption. Interviewer(s) - Jill Abigail Accompanying material - Project release form, biographical information, CV. Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-9070-9072 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2.20 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-2875. Photocopy (coloured) mid shot of Vera Levett.

Date: 1988

By: Wilkinson, Pat, active 1975-1980

Reference: MS-Papers-10280

Description: Mostly about Pat Wilkinson and the abortion issue, especially her involvement with the Sisters Overseas Service, an abortion service for South Island women Quantity: 1 folder(s) (6 leaves). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Holograph Provenance: Donor/Lender/Vendor - Donated by Pat Wilkinson, Devonport, Auckland, 1988

Date: 1957-1984

By: Sewell, Elizabeth, 1940-1988

Reference: 89-326

Description: Comprises papers relating to Sewell's involvement with the women's movement including files on abortion, United Women's Conventions, feminism, Radical Feminist Caucus, Robyn Morgan visit, SOS, Hamilton Women's Collective, YWCA and women's refuges. Also includes correspondence and financial files. Source of title - Supplied Elizabeth Sewell was active in the women's movement from the early 1970s. In 1974 she set up the Pregnancy Counselling Service and in 1977 in response to the Birch amendment founded Sisters Overseas Service (SOS). Sewell also helped to co-ordinate the 1977 United Women's Convention and establish the Christchurch Women's Refuge. Her involvement in the Women's Electoral Lobby led to her participation in running the Women's Appointment File. In 1979 she was research assistant and private secretary to Marilyn Waring, a position she left to become national executive director of the YWCA, where she worked until 1984. In 1985 she was appointed director of the Consumer Affairs Unit and from 1986 until 1988 was head of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. Quantity: 2 box(es). 1 volume(s). 2 folder(s). 0.60 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Mss, typescript and printed matter Finding Aids: Preliminary listing available. Provenance: Donor/Lender/Vendor - Donated by Ms Penny Sewell, Wellington, Oct 1989

Date: [1984-1986]

From: Urban Training Centre for Christian Ministry : Records

Reference: 97-081-12/06

Description: Correspondence, reports, clippings, outlines of seminars, notes, circulars and other papers, many relating to the YWCA Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: [1970s-1980s]

By: Simes, Louise, active 1988

Reference: MS-Papers-10294

Description: Includes copy of photograph of Elizabeth taking flying lessons, published in Christchurch Star, 1968 Quantity: 1 folder(s). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Printed matter and photograph Provenance: Donor/Lender/Vendor - Donated by Louise Simes, Christchurch, 1988

Date: [1985-1986]

From: Urban Training Centre for Christian Ministry : Records

Reference: 97-081-12/07

Description: Correspondence, reports, clippings, outlines of seminars, notes, circulars and other papers, many relating to the YWCA Quantity: 1 folder(s).

From: Bridget Williams Books : Papers relating to Book of New Zealand Women/Ko Kui Ma Te Kaupapa

Reference: 92-130-08

Description: Contains research notes, correspondence and drafts for entries Quantity: 1 box(es).