Clara Weisenborn Papers

The Clara E. Weisenborn Papers consist of the working files of this long-time Ohio State Senator from Montgomery County. The collection is made up of various committee reports, senate bills she sponsored or co-sponsored, correspondence, and newspaper clippings related to her work in the area of health, education, and the environment. This collection details the interests, projects, and acheivementsof Mrs. Weisenborn as a legislator, but offers very little insight into her personal life. Her papers do offer insight into the role of a woman legislator during the 1960’s and 1970’s, the issues at the forefront of Ohio politics, and an in-depth look at her efforts to establish the Wright State University School of Medicine.





Series I, General, contains biographical information, a small amount of personal correspondence, and newspaper clippings concerning women in politics.





Series II, Legislative Service Commission, contains numerous senate bills, meeting minutes, reports, and newspaper clippings detailing her work as a member of this commission and related committees. Environmental issues and the rights of non-smokers are two main issues covered in this series. Also included in this series is a file folder of newspaper clippings describing Edward Orlett’s bid for Clara Weisenborn’s senate seat.





Series III, Education, consists of reports and minutes from the Education Review Committee and the Citizen’s Task Force on Higher Education. Clara Weisenborn served as chairman of the Education Review Committee which traveled around the state holding hearings to gain information and insight into the needs and problems of higher education in Ohio. Hearing reports, related senate bills, and newspaper clippings concerning Ohio education are also included.





Series IV, Health and Medical, contains meeting minutes and reports from the Governor’s Task Force on Health Care, senate bills resulting from Clara Weisenborn’s work against drugs and for TB testing in the schools. Other issues covered in this series include treatment of venereal disease, Vietnam Veteran’s benefits, and handicapped and crippled children’s services.





A major portion of this series and the most relevant to Wright State University is material relating to Senator Weisenborn’s work for the establishment of Wright State University School of Medicine. These materials include correspondence, editorials, petitions and letters of support, newspaper clippings a WSU promotional brochure for the School of Medicine, and the Senate bill sponsored by Clara Weisenborn to create the School of Medicine.