The Older Women's League (OWL), Santa Clara County Chapter Records documents thirty years of the history of the Santa Clara County Chapter of OWL (SCCC-OWL) that was founded in 1982. Contained in this collection are publications, newsletters, articles, event files, organizational records, correspondence, photographs, and ephemera that document the history of OWL on a national, state, and local level. These records demonstrate how OWL sought to protect the civil rights of older women across the country through grassroots advocacy. While the material primarily focuses on news, events, conferences, and administrative records of SCCC-OWL, state and national documents are also included.

The publications contain books and newsletters created by OWL or related organizations relevant to OWL’s mission and values. Featured prominently are the annual Mother’s Day Reports, Grey Papers, and two decades of SCCC-OWL newsletters. Single topic books were published to highlight particular issues important to OWL’s cause such as caregiver protections, health education, prevention of elder abuse, and end of life control.

Similarly, the conferences, events, and programs focused on preventing and mitigating problems faced by older women. Reports and proceedings from national conferences are included, such as the White House Mini-Convention (Growing Numbers, Growing Force) where OWL was founded. Local conferences and events presented by SCCC-OWL feature prominently, especially the 1996 Conference on Mid-Life and Elder Abuse.

Organizational records from SCCC-OWL include correspondence between board leadership, public relations, by-laws, and membership lists. Additional multimedia is included containing photographs of OWL members and two documentaries on the history and mission of OWL.