This series documents Hayes' personal and political life for over half a century. This series details the many civic activities that Hayes undertook preceding her role as a public servant, as well as aspects of her personal life. Included in this series are letters from relatives and friends, photographs of the Hayes family, and biographical materials about Hayes.

Avid supporters of the arts, the Janet Gray and Kenneth Hayes proudly endorsed the works of Alexander Calder (uncle to Kenneth Hayes). Calder was a world-renowned sculptor and artist, most famous for his mobiles. Throughout her public life Hayes was rarely photographed without wearing one of Calder's fanciful lapel pins. The correspondence file in this series contains a congratulatory letter Calder wrote Hayes following her election victory.

Correspondence in this series also underscores Hayes' skill at balancing the task of governing one of the largest U.S. cities while simultaneously remaining a committed mother to her four children. Letters from Hayes' children, all teens and young adults by the time she was mayor, highlight the active role she played in their lives, while simultaneously carrying out her duties as an elected official.

This series also contains documents concerning the tragic 1973 murder of Hayes' mother, who was shot and killed in an attempted robbery in her home in Indiana. Despite this horrible tragedy, Hayes maintained her political commitments and resolved to stamp out crime in San Jose.