COLLECTION FINDING AID



SHEILA R. WEIDENFELD FILES, (1924) 1974-77

Press Secretary to the First Lady
Office of the First Lady



SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Material compiled by Weidenfeld and the East Wing Press Office staff documenting Mrs. Ford's activities and the press office operation. Included are files concerning daily events, trips, plans for head of state visits, Mrs. Ford's campaign involvement and activities and background on the Ford children.

QUANTITY
 26.4 linear feet (ca. 52,800 pages)

DONOR
 Gerald R. Ford (accession numbers 77-54, 78-13, 81-27, 83-32 )

ACCESS
 Open. Some items are temporarily restricted under terms of the donor's deed of gift, a copy of which is available on request, or under National Archives and Records Administration general restrictions (36 CFR 1256).

COPYRIGHT
 Gerald R. Ford donated to the United States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to remain with them. Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public domain.

Prepared by Leesa Tobin, July 1986; Revised June 1996
[s:\bin\findaid\weidenfeld, sheila - files.doc]

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION


Sheila R. Weidenfeld


1943 - Born, Cambridge, Massachusetts

1965 - Graduated from Brandeis University (BA)

1965-68 - Production assistant and associate producer at WNEW-TV, New York City

1968-71 - Talent coordinator, NBC

1971-73 - Producer, "Panorama", WTTG-TV

1973-74 - Producer, "Take It From Here", NBC/WRC-TV

Oct. 1974-Jan. 1977 - Press Secretary to Mrs. Ford

1977- - Member, President's Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation

1979 - Published First Lady's Lady

INTRODUCTION

The Sheila Weidenfeld files consist of memoranda, correspondence, briefing papers, agenda, notes, newsclippings, press releases and sundry background material compiled by Weidenfeld and her assistant, Patti Matson, during her tenure as press secretary to the First Lady from November 1974 to January 1977. First Lady Pat Nixon's press secretary, Helen M. Smith, briefly served in that capacity for Mrs. Ford prior to Weidenfeld's appointment.

The East Wing Press Office handled all liaison with the press for Betty Ford and the Ford children and notified the press about all White House social functions. This involved preparing press releases, answering all incoming mail and telephone queries, writing articles to be published under Ford family bylines, generating and researching ideas for possible appearances and speeches, preparing background, planning trips, and drafting speeches (prior to 1976 when presidential speechwriter Kaye Pullen was assigned to Mrs. Ford). Weidenfeld's specific duties involved acting as spokesperson for the family and advising them on the disposition of and approach to media requests, coordinating duties and responsibilities with the West Wing, and supervising the East Wing Press Office.

Weidenfeld's files document these activities well. Files on Mrs. Ford's daily activities and trips are particularly detailed. There are scattered events and trips for which the files are missing and some of these can be located in similar open files in the Betty Ford Papers. White House social events are documented in the State Visits File for visiting heads of state, and in the Daily Events File for all other social gatherings.

The General Subject File was developed to answer questions from the press and the public on Mrs. Ford and the Ford children, the White House, and the women's movement, especially the Equal Rights Amendment. This is a particularly rich resource and addresses some obscure questions in addition to the more obvious queries.

Most of the material in the Administrative Subject File is quite routine and deals primarily with press office efforts to handle requests for interviews and photographs. There is also an extensive set of notes that Weidenfeld took during a series of meetings with three former First Lady's press secretaries, members of the press corps, and White House staff before assuming her formal duties in November 1974.

Assistant press secretary Patti Matson did not maintain a separate file. Her materials are interspersed throughout the collection as are those of Nancy Chirdon and Fran Paris, the office secretaries, and Pete Sorum, Mrs. Ford's advanceman.

Related Materials (July 1986)
Additional material concerning Mrs. Ford's public appearances and a reference file of magazine articles about the Ford family are in the Betty Ford Papers and are available for use. Most of the Betty Ford Papers, however, are currently unprocessed and therefore unavailable for research.

The White House Central File Subject File category for Mrs. Ford,(PP 5‑1), contains invitations, correspondence on her illness, and briefing and background material and agenda for meetings and public appearances. Many items are cross-references to materials available in scattered file locations.

The files of Frances Pullen include background materials, drafts and texts of many of Mrs. Ford's speeches. Pullen was a speechwriter for Mrs. Ford.

Additional material concerning Mrs. Ford is available in the Library's collection of printed materials, in the Kay Clark oral history interview, and in the videotape of a conference on First Families held in 1984 at the Gerald Ford Museum. Betty Ford and Susan Ford Vance participated in the conference.

SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

Daily Events File, 1974-76.  (Boxes 1‑11, 4.4 linear feet)
Correspondence, memoranda, briefing papers, press releases, news clippings, guest lists, Q's and A's, speech drafts, programs for events, and advance materials for most of the First Lady's public and private activities in the Washington area. Occasionally, the First Lady accompanied the President to the event but most she attended independently. Also filed here are press office arrangements for press coverage of events. Early files include some materials of Weidenfeld's predecessor, Helen Smith (Pat Nixon's press secretary), and Lucy Winchester, social secretary.

Arranged chronologically by date of event.

View container list for this series

Trip File, 1974-77. (Boxes 12‑29, 7.2 linear feet)
Briefing papers, memoranda, cables, media pool reports, schedules, speech drafts, press releases, press briefings, tourist literature, and wire stories concerning Mrs. Ford's foreign and domestic trips. The file includes trips Mrs. Ford took with and without her husband. The material from 1976 is almost entirely campaign-related.

Arranged chronologically by date of trip.

View container list for this series

State Visits File, 1974-76.  (Boxes 30‑34, 2.0 linear feet)
Memoranda, correspondence, scenarios, schedules, guest lists, programs, press releases, menus, and clippings concerning the visits of foreign heads of state to the White House. Most of the material concerns arrangements made for press coverage of arrival ceremonies and state dinners. Also included is considerable background on White House entertainment, table decor, gift exchange, and the First Lady's wardrobe for each state dinner.

Arranged chronologically by date of event.

View container list for this series

General Subject File, 1974-77. (Boxes 35‑48, 5.6 linear feet)
Files compiled by the East Wing Press Office to assist in answering questions from the press concerning Mrs. Ford, the Ford children, administration personnel, the White House and women's issues. Much of the material concerns Mrs. Ford and her daughter, Susan Ford. Files include memoranda, correspondence, press releases, news clippings and handwritten notes.

Arranged alphabetically by subject.

View container list for this series

Administrative Subject File, (1969-73) 1974-77.  (Boxes 49‑59, 4.4 linear feet)
Memoranda, correspondence, meeting notes and personnel material concerning the operation of the East Wing Press Office. Included are requests for information, interviews, photographs and jobs; East Wing staff background; press releases for 1974 and 1975; and inquiries concerning the White House Record Library.

Arranged alphabetically by subject.

View container list for this series

Clippings File, (1924-73) 1974-77. (Boxes 60‑66, 2.4 linear feet)
An extensive file of newspaper and magazine clippings maintained by Mrs. Ford until her husband became Vice President in 1973, at which time her secretary and various volunteers continued the task. Clippings are all related to the Ford family.

Arranged chronologically.

View container list for this series

CONTAINER LIST

Box 1 - Daily Events File

Box 2 - Daily Events File

Box 3 - Daily Events File

Box 4 - Daily Events File

Box 5 - Daily Events File

Box 6 - Daily Events File

Box 7 - Daily Events File

Box 8 - Daily Events File

Box 9 - Daily Events File

Box 10 - Daily Events File

Box 11 - Daily Events File

Box 12 - Trip File

Box 13 - Trip File

Box 14 - Trip File

Box 15 - Trip File

Box 16 - Trip File

Box 17 - Trip File

Box 18 - Trip File

Box 19 - Trip File

Box 20 - Trip File

Box 21 - Trip File

Box 22 - Trip File

Box 23 - Trip File

Box 24 - Trip File

Box 25 - Trip File

Box 26 - Trip File

Box 27 - Trip File

Box 28 - Trip File

Box 29 - Trip File

Box 30 - State Visits File

Box 31 - State Visits File

Box 32 - State Visits File

Box 33 - State Visits File

Box 34 - State Visits File

Box 35 - General Subject File

Box 36 - General Subject File

Box 37 - General Subject File

Box 38 - General Subject File

Box 39 - General Subject File

Box 40 - General Subject File

Box 41 - General Subject File

Box 42 - General Subject File

Box 43 - General Subject File

Box 44 - General Subject File

Box 45 - General Subject File

Box 46 - General Subject File

Box 47 - General Subject File

Box 48 - General Subject File

Box 49 - Administrative Subject File

  • AP/UPI Wire Services
  • Advance Persons ‑ First Family
  • American Newspaper Women's Club Inc.
  • American Women in Radio and Television Inc. (1)
  • American Women in Radio and Television Inc. (2)
  • Bicentennial (1)
  • Bicentennial (2)
  • Bulgari, Nicola ‑ Gift for First Lady
  • Catering Services
  • "Celebrity Bulletin"
  • Committee on Women for Human Rights
  • Correspondence ‑ Personal
  • Crank Mail
  • Department of Children's Affairs ‑ Children
  • East Wing ‑ Press Office Organization
  • East Wing Staff ‑ Armentrout, Russell
  • East Wing Staff ‑ Chirdon, Nancy
  • East Wing Staff ‑ Downs, Maria
  • East Wing Staff ‑ Engebretson, Margaret

Box 50 - Administrative Subject File

  • East Wing Staff ‑ Howe, Nancy
  • East Wing Staff ‑ Ivey, Jerry
  • East Wing Staff ‑ Lammerding, Nancy
  • East Wing Staff ‑ Matson, Patricia
  • East Wing Staff ‑ Paris, Fran
  • East Wing Staff ‑ Patterson, Bradley
  • East Wing Staff ‑ Porembka, Carolyn
  • East Wing Staff ‑ Pullen, Kaye
  • East Wing Staff ‑ Smith, Helen
  • ERA Telethon
  • Form Letters
  • Future Projects ‑ ERA Television Special
  • Future Projects ‑ Ozark Fork Art Center
  • Future Projects ‑ "The Women of Russia"
  • Goodwill Industries
  • Job Inquiries (1)
  • Job Inquiries (2)
  • Job Inquiries (3)
  • Job Inquiries (4)
  • Job Inquiries (5)
  • Job Inquiries (6)
  • Job Inquiries (7)

Box 51 - Administrative Subject File

  • Max, Peter ‑ Mexico/Canadian Border Project
  • Meeting, 10/74 ‑ Liz Carpenter
  • Meeting, 10/14/74 ‑ Winnie McLendon, Clare Crawford, Susan Bluttman
  • Meeting, 10/21/74 ‑ Helen Smith
  • Meeting, 10/21/74 ‑ Mrs. Ford, Brad Patterson, Nancy Howe, Nancy Lammerding, Helen Smith, Mike Farrell, Rex Scouten
  • Meeting, 10/22/74 ‑ Patti Matson
  • Meeting, 10/23/74 ‑ Tish Baldridge
  • "Panorama" ‑ (Weidenfeld's TV Show)
  • Photo Office ‑ Lab Orders Completed
  • Photo Office ‑ Release Policy
  • Photos Provided, A ‑ H

Box 52 - Administrative Subject File

  • Photos Provided, I ‑ S

Box 53 - Administrative Subject File

  • Photos Provided, T ‑ Z
  • Press ‑ Buchwald, Art
  • Press ‑ Hama, Taka
  • Press ‑ Howar, Barbara
  • Press ‑ Howard, Jane
  • Press ‑ Lewine, Fan
  • Press ‑ McPherson, Myra
  • Press ‑ O'Quinn, Jeanne
  • Press ‑ Porter, Sylvia
  • Press ‑ Quinn, Sally
  • Press ‑ Sutton, Suzy
  • Press ‑ Thomas, Helen
  • Press ‑ Walters, Barbara
  • Press Briefings ‑ West Wing
  • Press Corps ‑ East Wing
  • Press Releases

Box 54 - Administrative Subject File

  • Requests ‑ Ford Children ‑ Interview
  • Requests ‑ Betty Ford ‑ Appearances
  • Requests ‑ Betty Ford ‑ Book (1)
  • Requests ‑ Betty Ford ‑ Book (2)
  • Requests ‑ Betty Ford ‑ Book (3)
  • Requests ‑ Betty Ford ‑ Book (4)
  • Requests ‑ Betty Ford ‑ Foreign (1)
  • Requests ‑ Betty Ford ‑ Foreign (2)
  • Requests ‑ Betty Ford ‑ Foreign (3)
  • Requests ‑ Betty Ford ‑ Magazine (1)
  • Requests ‑ Betty Ford ‑ Magazine (2)
  • Requests ‑ Betty Ford ‑ Magazine (3)
  • Requests ‑ Betty Ford ‑ Magazine (4)

Box 55 - Administrative Subject File

  • Requests ‑ Betty Ford ‑ Magazine (5)
  • Requests ‑ Betty Ford ‑ Magazine (6)
  • Requests ‑ Betty Ford ‑ Magazine (7)
  • Requests ‑ Betty Ford ‑ Magazine (8)
  • Requests ‑ Betty Ford ‑ Magazine (9)
  • Requests ‑ Betty Ford ‑ Messages
  • Requests ‑ Betty Ford ‑ Miscellaneous
  • Requests ‑ Betty Ford ‑ Newspaper
  • Requests ‑ Betty Ford ‑ Radio (1)

Box 56 - Administrative Subject File

  • Requests ‑ Betty Ford ‑ Radio (2)
  • Requests ‑ Betty Ford ‑ Radio (3)
  • Requests ‑ Betty Ford ‑ TV (1)
  • Requests ‑ Betty Ford ‑ TV (2)
  • Requests ‑ Betty Ford ‑ TV (3)
  • Requests ‑ Betty Ford ‑ TV (4)
  • Requests ‑ Betty Ford ‑ TV (5)
  • Requests ‑ John Ford (1)
  • Requests ‑ John Ford (2)
  • Requests ‑ John Ford (3)
  • Requests ‑ John Ford (4)
  • Requests ‑ John Ford (5)
  • Requests ‑ Michael and Gayle Ford
  • Requests ‑ Steven Ford
  • Requests ‑ Susan Ford ‑ Book

Box 57 - Administrative Subject File

  • Requests ‑ Susan Ford ‑ Magazines
  • Requests ‑ Susan Ford ‑ Miscellaneous
  • Requests ‑ Susan Ford ‑ Newspapers (1)
  • Requests ‑ Susan Ford ‑ Newspapers (2)
  • Requests ‑ Susan Ford ‑ Radio (1)
  • Requests ‑ Susan Ford ‑ Radio (2)
  • Requests ‑ Susan Ford ‑ Submit Photographs
  • Requests ‑ Susan Ford ‑ Television (1)
  • Requests ‑ Susan Ford ‑ Television (2)
  • Requests ‑ Susan Ford ‑ Television (3)
  • Requests ‑ Susan Ford ‑ Topeka Capitol Journal
  • Requests ‑ Susan Ford ‑ Pets ‑ Interviews
  • Requests ‑ Recipes
  • Requests ‑ White House and Grounds
  • Requests ‑ White House Staff ‑ Interviews

Box 58 - Administrative Subject File

  • Security
  • Schedules 1974
  • Scheduling Procedures
  • Souvenir Requests
  • Standards of Conduct
  • State Dinners ‑ Entertainment Suggestions (2)
  • State Dinners ‑ Entertainment Suggestions (2)
  • State Dinners ‑ Policy
  • State Dinners ‑ Suggested Guests
  • Summer Intern Program
  • Telephone Credit Cards
  • "Television Digest"
  • Washington Performing Arts Society
  • U.S. National Women's Agenda
  • Washington Press Club
  • "We The People" Bicentennial Fair
  • White House Curator ‑ Conger, Clem
  • White House Health Unit
  • White House Historical Association
  • White House Prayer Meetings

Box 59 - Administrative Subject File

  • White House Tours ‑ Special Requests
  • White House Record Library (1)
  • White House Record Library (2)
  • White House Record Library (3)
  • White House Record Library (4)
  • White House Record Library (5)
  • White House Record Library (6)
  • Women Law Reporter
  • Women's Festival for the Bicentennial
  • The Women's Institute, Inc.
  • Women's Legal Defense Fund
  • York, Joanne ‑ "How I Feed My Family on $16 a Week"
  • Zeoli, Billy

Box 60 - Clippings File

  • 1924
  • 1928
  • 1934
  • 1935
  • 1936‑37
  • 1938
  • 1943
  • 1946
  • 1948
  • 1950
  • 1951
  • 1952
  • 1953
  • 1954
  • 1955
  • 1958
  • 1959
  • 1960
  • 1961
  • 1962
  • 1963
  • 1964
  • 1965 (1)
  • 1965 (2)
  • 1965 (3)
  • 1966
  • 1967
  • 1968
  • 1969

Box 61 - Clippings File

  • 1970‑72
  • 1973 (1)
  • 1973 (2)
  • 1974 (1)
  • 1974 (2)
  • 1974 (3)
  • 1974 (4)
  • 1974 (5)
  • 1974 (6)
  • 1974 (7)

Box 62 - Clippings File

  • 1975 (1)
  • 1975 (2)
  • 1975 (3)
  • 1975 (4)
  • 1975 (5)
  • 1975 (6)
  • 1975 (7)
  • 1975 (8)

Box 63 - Clippings File

  • 1975 (9)
  • 1975 (10)
  • 1975 (11)
  • 1975 (12)
  • 1975 (13)
  • 1975 (14)
  • 1975 (15)
  • 1975 (16)

Box 64 - Clippings File

  • 1976 (1)
  • 1976 (2)
  • 1976 (3)
  • 1976 (4)
  • 1976 (5)
  • 1976 (6)
  • 1976 (7)

Box 65 - Clippings File

  • 1976 (8)
  • 1976 (9)
  • 1976 (10)
  • 1976 (11)
  • 1976 (12)
  • 1976 (13)
  • 1976 (14)

Box 66 - Clippings File

  • 1976 (15)
  • 1976 (16)
  • 1976 (17)
  • 1976 (18)
  • 1976 (19)
  • 1976 (20)
  • 1976 (21)
  • 1976 (22)
  • 1976 (23)
  • 1977