Scope and Content of Collection
The papers of Jo-Ann Orlinsky cover the years 1953 to 1976, though the bulk of the materials date from 1964 to 1971, when she worked for Senator Joseph D. Tydings. The Tydings materials relate to her efforts during his 1964 and 1970 campaigns for the U.S. Senate and as special assistant during his Senate term from 1965 to 1971. Some of the topics discussed are the senator's position on civil rights, the environment, world population, and arms negotiations. The materials include correspondence, press releases, memoranda, schedules, speeches, hearing transcripts, and newspaper clippings.
Other portions of the collection deal with her other work. One series contains Orlinsky's records as executive secretary of the Young Democratic Clubs of Maryland, a position she held from 1962 to 1967. These include correspondence with clubs in other states, copies of The Burro newsletter, and several drafts of a new Maryland Constitution. Another series includes the records of her tenure on the professional staff of the Commission on Delegate Selection and Party Structure for the Democratic National Committee, such as reports, election results, correspondence, delegate questionnaires, and meeting and seminar summaries. Barbara A. Mikulski is among the correspondents.