Scope and arrangement
The papers reflect Louise Chazin's commitment to improve the quality of life of the aged through her activism in organizations that focused on their medical and social needs. It is also reflective of the organizations Chazin founded or co-founded, and the interaction between Chazin and the organizations and individuals with whom she worked.
The general correspondence, subject files, conference papers, reports, notes, and printed material chronicle many of the organizations that Chazin was actively involved with. The General Correspondence (1972-1988) reflects many of the organizations in which Chazin was an executive member of the board, including the Bronx Jewish Community Council Inc., Bronx-North Manhattan Coalition for the Elderly and Long Term Care Inc. (member), Congress of Senior Citizens of New York City (executive board member), Montefiore Outpatient Department, National Council of Senior Citizens (delegate), and Victims Services Agency (Elder Abuse Project). The Organization Files (1971-1990) are the most voluminous section of the papers and contain correspondence, reports, meeting minutes, and other business-related documents pertaining to organizations with which Chazin was involved, such as The Bronx Council on Aging, Community Board #7, New York City Human Resources Agency (HRA), and the New York City Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) Senior Citizens Advisory Committee. Organizations represented to a lesser extent are the Community Council of Greater New York, the Mid-Bronx Senior Citizens Council, and the North Central Bronx Council for Older Adults.
The collection contains correspondence, schedules, meeting minutes, and reports of two major conferences that Chazin attended in 1981: the New York State Governor's Conference on Aging and the White House Conference on Aging. The remaining papers consist of reports issued by individuals and organizations concerned with the welfare of the elderly; writings by Chazin; printed material; and miscellaneous organizational documents and photographs.
The Louise Chazin papers are arranged in seven series:
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1972-19891.5 boxes
The General Correspondence is chronological in its arrangement. It consists of incoming letters, reports, memos and notices to Chazin from New York City-based non-profit organizations (particularly from the Bronx) concerned with the medical and social needs of the aged. The General Correspondence demonstrates the range of organizations Chazin was involved with and it is also reflective of the type of individuals who solicited her support with their concerns. The specific areas of interest for these organizations and individuals with respect to the elderly or aged person include: funds designated from federal, state and city budgets for Medicaid and similar support programs; elder abuse; crime; geriatric care in hospitals and social support programs; housing; and nursing homes. Chazin served as a board member of many community organizations. The organizations in which Chazin played an active role are represented in the General Correspondence by: Bronx Jewish Community Council Inc., Bronx-North Manhattan Coalition for the Elderly and Long Term Care Inc. (member), Congress of Senior Citizens of New York City (Executive Board member), Montefiore Outpatient Department, National Council of Senior Citizens (delegate), and Victims Services Agency (Elder Abuse Project).
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1971-19909.5 boxes
This series documents Chazin's involvement in senior citizen-related initiatives and organizations in New York City. The principal focus of these organizations and agencies was to advocate for the needs of the elderly. The best-represented organizations in this series are the Bronx Council on Aging, Community Board # 7, the New York City Human Resources Agency (including the Department of Aging, the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services, the Department of Social Services, and the Office of Family Services), and the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) Seniors Citizens Advisory. Other organizations that are represented include the Community Council of Greater New York, the Mid-Bronx Council, and the North Central Bronx Council for Older Adults.
Organization files typically contain correspondence, meeting minutes, and reports. These organizations would often find themselves working towards the same goal and with each other because of mutual objectives. Among the issues addressed in the files are housing, healthcare, transportation, community workshops, and program budgets.
The small chronological run of files preceding the remaining organization files were processed and integrated into the collection at a later date. Researchers should consult these files in addition to the rest of the series, as information on a given event or organization may be represented in both places. The files predominantly reflect the support of Chazin's activism by state and local organizations and members of the United States Congress. Specific events documented include her appointments to the New York City Department for the Aging Advisory Council and Community Board #7; her delegacy to the 1981 White House Conference Aging; the establishment of the Louise Chazin Scholarship Fund at Lehman College in 1983; and several tributes and award ceremonies held in her name. Correspondents include New York City Mayor Edward Koch; Senators John E. Flynn, Abraham Bernstein, and Alfonse D'Amato; U.S. Representative Mario Biaggi; Congressmen Peter Peyser and Jonathan Bingham; and Benjamin R. Epstein of the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith.
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1980-19811.25 boxes
This series contains materials relating to two conferences: The New York State Governor's Conference on Aging and the White House Conference on Aging. The files contain correspondence, schedules, and reports of both of the conferences. They reflect the attention given to a delegate who was selected to attend both of these events as well as the lobbying efforts of other groups who hoped to press their own interests through these delegates.
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1972-19821 box
The reports were issued from organizations, conferences, and individuals focused on issues of interest to the elderly. Topics discussed in the reports include women and aging; geriatric services; physical and mental health; and social support systems.
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1973-1984.25 box
The writings consist of addresses, notes, and petitions.
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1965-19902.75 boxes
Printed Material is arranged into three categories: alphabetical files, arranged by organization or event; newsletters and bulletins; and directories and guides. Alphabetical files contain press releases, announcements, brochures, and fliers.
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1972-19872 boxes