Dates
- 1992 - 2007
- Majority of material found within 2002 - 2004
Scope and Contents
The WISH List Records contain data on the operation of the organization, information on supported candidates, organization newsletters, press releases and related clippings, promotional materials, conference materials, and a substantial number of invitations to various events sponsored by The WISH List. The records date from the organization’s conception in 1992 up through 2007, when the collection was donated to Rutgers. The bulk of the records date from 2002 to 2004 (due to the prevalence of conference materials), but in fact the material is fairly well-distributed through the entire date span.
The collection approximately 2 cubic feet in size, comprising 4 letter-sized manuscript boxes and three artifact boxes. Most of the material is promotional in nature, consisting primarily of invitations and programs for various events held by The WISH List and materials sent to WISH List members, such as newsletters and political briefings to educate members about specific candidates. Some series, such as GENERAL FILES, CONFERENCES AND EVENT INFORMATION, and MEDIA AND PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS contain overlapping materials.
Many documents from early in the collection (circa 1992 to 1996) were only provided as photocopies, not originals. No additional photocopies were made during the processing of the collection. Metal paperclips were removed from documents, though staples were left if the staples themselves and the documents were in good condition. Where applicable, at least two copies of documents were retained during the final processing of the collection. Documents are arranged chronologically within their respective sub-series and folders, as noted.
Extent
ca. 2 Cubic Feet (4 letter-sized manuscript boxes and three artifact boxes)
Physical Location
These materials are currently housed off-site. When requesting to see this collection, please note that it may take up to a week to retrieve the materials.
Language of Materials
English
Biographical / Historical
The WISH List is a political action committee whose purpose is to encourage, promote, and elect pro-choice Republican women to political offices, at the local, state, and federal levels. The WISH List was founded in 1992 and is currently “the largest fundraising network for pro-choice Republican women candidates.” Prominent candidates supported by The WISH List include Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine, former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman, former Congresswoman Nancy Johnson of Connecticut, and most recently Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. Amongst the key issues that The WISH List supports are advocating stem cell research, preventing anti-choice changes to Title X family planning funds, and the repeal of the Global Gag Rule, a policy which prevents foreign organizations who receive federal family planning money from using their own funds to provide abortion-related medical counseling or legal abortions. Originally located in Washington, D.C., in 2006, The WISH List’s headquarters moved to Alexandria, Virginia.
With the creation of the America’s WISH program in 2001, the organization began to focus on recruiting and training pro-choice women with Republican values to run for offices at the state level, with the potential to rise to higher office in the future. The WISH List also runs a number of campaign schools where candidates can receive advice and training on “campaign strategy, polling, grassroots organization and fundraising from…campaign experts.” Additionally, there is a college program that promotes activism amongst moderate Republican students and connects those students to the candidates, as well as provides access to WISH List events and internship opportunities. The WISH List is governed by a Board of Directors, including a president, secretary and treasurer, and nine state coordinators. The WISH Honorary Advisory Board includes U.S. Senators, U.S. Representatives, and other Republican leaders. The President of The WISH List is Pat Giardina Carpenter.
Arrangement
Series Descriptions
BYLAWS AND LEGAL DOCUMENTS
Arranged chronologically. This series consists of three folders containing the statement of organization, bylaws, and the trademark registration form for “The WISH List” name.
MINUTES
Arranged chronologically. This series consist of two folders containing minutes of The WISH List board meetings from 1994 to 2004.
ADMINISTRATIVE FILE
Contact information is arranged chronologically, with undated items at the end. This series consists of one folder containing contact information on the founding members and board members; these lists are dated for 2002 and 2006. There is also a postcard notice of office relocation, as well as blank copies of WISH List letterhead and a blank folder with The WISH List logo on the front.
GENERAL FILES
Arranged chronologically within sub-series, with undated items at the end of each sub-series. This series contains four sub-series: America’s WISH a campaign for recruiting and training other pro-choice Republican women; campaign training; fundraising; and membership. Document types include correspondence, forms, and a binder that has been disassembled.
CANDIDATE INFORMATION FILES
Arranged chronologically within sub-series, with undated items at the end of each sub-series. This series contains information on endorsed candidates. Folder 1 contains lists of endorsed candidates from 1992 to 2007. Folders 2 through 8 contain either photocopies or printed originals of biographies of each candidate, letters to members of The WISH List describing the achievements of candidates, and several donation forms for individual campaigns.
MEDIA AND PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
Arranged chronologically within sub-series with the exception of promotional brochures and pamphlets, which are undated. This series includes sub-series for newsletters, press releases and press clippings, and promotional brochures containing information about The WISH List. Newsletters were produced quarterly since December 1992, and are arranged by date. The majority of the promotional brochures and pamphlets are undated and generally include membership application and donation forms. Photocopies of press clippings are included in chronological order.
CONFERENCE AND EVENT MATERIALS
Arranged chronologically within sub-series. This series consists of information booklets and binder contents for three conferences and invitations for events (fundraising or otherwise) and receptions from 1992 to 2007. Conference materials included are from the 2004 Joint Leadership Conference, The Red, White and Blue Convention Breakfast (2004), and the 21st Century Club Annual Leadership Conference (2002). Materials were removed from their respective binders and placed in letter-sized folders, with the exception of the 21st Century Club Annual Leadership Conference, which remain in its original 3-ring binder.
ARTIFACTS
Materials are undated, arranged by size and shape. The artifacts in this collection consist of promotional items, such as T-shirts and support buttons with The WISH List logo on them that would be distributed at campaign rallies or events. These are contained within one folder and three smaller boxes. The folder (Box 4, Folder 8) contains artifacts including business cards for Pat Carpenter, assorted bumper stickers and promotional stickers, and two hand signs for use at political rallies or events. Boxes 5 and 6 contain a baseball cap with The WISH List logo, and a white T-shirt bearing The WISH List logo. Box 7 contains lapel pins, buttons, and a pen.
- Author
- Stephen Bacchetta, Siobhan McCarthy, Fernanda Perrone, Meyer Gallagher
- Date
- May 2008
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Part of the New Brunswick Special Collections Repository