Janis L. Ramquist Papers, 1970-2006, PC.1887

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Janis L. Ramquist Papers, 1970-2006, PC.1887

Abstract

Janis Lindblom Ramquist (b. 1947) is a native of San Franciso, California, and the daughter of Alton and Sue Lindblom. In 1970 she was graduated from California State University at Sacramento (teaching certificate and B.A. in psychology). She moved to North Carolina in the late 1970s, and to Raleigh in the early 1980s. From 1978 to 1985 Ms. Ramquist was a volunteer lobbyist for the North Carolina League of Women Voters. Since 1986 she has worked for a number of years as a governmental affairs consultant and coordinator (i.e. legislative liaison or lobbyist) for several organizations. Additionally, Ms. Ramquist has been active in the Friends of Dix Park, 306/Dix, and the Dix Park Visionaries, now Dix Park Conservancy. These are the private professional papers of Ms. Ramquist arising from her work for several organizations. Collection contains correspondence, reports, contracts, newspaper clippings, publications, journal articles, subject files, speeches, mailing lists, press releases, fact sheets, General Assembly voting records, medical records, insurance claims, court case examinations, audio tapes, directories, employment applications, brochures, research reports, compendia, and both proposed and ratified legislation.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Janis L. Ramquist Papers
Call Number
PC.1887
Creator
Janis L. Ramquist
Date
1970-2006
Extent
42.00 boxes
Language
English
Repository
State Archives of North Carolina

Restrictions on Access & Use

Access Restrictions

Available for research.

Use Restrictions

Copyright is retained by the authors of these materials, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law (Title 17 US Code). Individual researchers are responsible for using these materials in conformance with copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying the materials.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item] in PC.1887, Janis L. Ramquist Papers, State Archives of North Carolina, Raleigh, NC, USA.

Collection Overview

These are the private professional papers of Janis L. Ramquist, Governmental Affairs Consultant and Coordinator (i.e. legislative liaison or lobbyist) for several organizations. Among them are the League of Women Voters, N.C. Academy of Trial Lawyers, Florence Crittenton Services, Learning Disabilities Association of North Carolina, North Carolina Counseling Association, North Carolinians for Health Care Access (CHCA), North Carolina Association for Nurse Anesthetists, North Carolina Dental Hygiene Association, North Carolina Optometric Society, North Carolina Integrative Medical Society, North Carolina Public Transportation Association, North Carolina Society of Accountants, and Friends of Dorothea Dix Park, Raleigh, N.C. Collection contains correspondence, reports, contracts, newspaper clippings, publications, journal articles, subject files, speeches, mailing lists, press releases, fact sheets, General Assembly voting records, medical records, insurance claims, court case examinations, audio tapes, directories, employment applications, brochures, research reports, compendia, and both proposed and ratified legislation, and other material. There is one folder of materials (greeting cards and campaign button) relating to the ERA campaign.

Arrangement Note

Biographical/Historical note

Ms. Ramquist was born after World War II to a self-described "blue collar family" in San Francisco, California. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with honors in 1970 from California State University in Sacramento, and pursued graduate studies in psychology, history, and education at the University of California at Davis. Ms. Ramquist initially moved to Forsyth County, North Carolina, in the late 1970s, and by 1982 had settled in Wake County. She became active in the Democratic Party in North Carolina soon after she relocated. Ms. Ramquist began to lobby actively for women's issues beginning in 1978 via her organization of numerous grassroots volunteers to improve the status of women in North Carolina. Her activities have included extensive political campaign work, fundraising for candidates who supported adoption of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), and serving on the Battered Women's Services Board. Since 1981, Ms. Ramquist has lobbied in the General Assembly for legislation that affected women, including ERA, pay equity, pensions in equitable distributions of property, victim's assistance, state abortion funding, day care, alimony laws, and child support enforcement.Ms. Ramquist has been actively involved in and/or worked for a multitude of other North Carolina organizations and associations from 1985 forward. Her major contributions to social reform and legislation have involved two North Carolina organizations: The League of Women's Voters (1979-1991) and North Carolinians for Health Care Access, or CHCA, (1991-1996). The League is a nonpartisan group dedicated to lobbying for and educating the public about issues such as those concerning women and disadvantaged groups. The main goal of CHCA members is to ensure that all North Carolinians enjoy safe, cost-effective, and legal access to alternative medicine (a form of health care that includes treatments such as acupuncture, chelation therapy, chiropractic therapy, homeopathy, and naturopathy) without undue governmental interference. This group also actively lobbies against intervention by the American Medical Society (AMA) and the Board of Medical Examiners (BME), especially regarding legislation that involves either the licensing or regulation of both alternative medicine practitioners and treatment. Members of CHCA promote the belief that the BME should have to prove either harm or ineffective treatment before they can legally revoke a physician's license. This belief represents one of the major issues that Ms. Ramquist has effectively lobbied for. While a lobbyist for CHCA, members of the organization touted Ms. Ramquist as one of the top twenty lobbyists in Raleigh, out of over 500 registered lobbyists.

Contents of the Collection

1. Personal and Political Papers,1979-2002

Scope and Contents note:

This series of papers reflects Ms. Ramquist's interests as a member of, and employee for a number of organizations between 1979 and 2001. The personal papers include biographical information and personal correspondence to and from Ms. Ramquist, such as thank you letters and employment applications. The political papers include newsletters, reports, mailings, lists, political advertisements, a proposal for campaign strategies, correspondence on Democratic candidates, and additional thank you letters. The Personal and Political papers are arranged chronologically.

Personal

Biographical
Box PC.1887.1
Correspondence, 1982-1991
Box PC.1887.1

Political

Democratic Precincts (Forsyth County and Winston- Salem), 1979
Box PC.1887.1
Democratic Party Voter's Guide, 1980
Box PC.1887.1
Helms/Hunt Campaign (U.S. Senate), 1984
Box PC.1887.1
Democratic Candidates' Campaigns, 1990
Box PC.1887.1
National Abortion Rights Action League Endorsements, 1990
Box PC.1887.1
Pro-choice Poll (Republican Women), 1990
Box PC.1887.1
Democratic Candidates' Campaigns, 1992
Box PC.1887.1
Democratic Candidates' Campaigns, 1994
Box PC.1887.1
Pro-choice Poll (House District 36), 1996
Box PC.1887.1
Edwards-Faircloth Camp. (U.S. Senate), 1998
Box PC.1887.1
Democratic Primary, 2000
Box PC.1887.1
Democratic Party "Get Out the Vote", 1982
Box PC.1887.1

2. Client Files,1977-1998

Scope and Contents note:

This series consist of materials that pertain to several organizations for which Ms. Ramquist served in the capacity of governmental affairs consultant. Ms. Ramquist was consultant for The American Association of Publishers. Files on this association include papers that pertain to North Carolina textbook amendment laws (HB.573), which required the legislature to broaden the definition of a textbook, and correspondence regarding textbook study recommendations and legislative changes. In 1988 Ms. Ramquist wrote to the American Association of Interior Designers requesting to represent this association because she wanted to establish licensing procedures for decorators in North Carolina. Whether Ms. Ramquist worked for this organization is not known, based on the scant information present. There is not much correspondence and only some papers on the following organizations: Educare, the Esparto Teacher's Conference, California, and Westinghouse Electric Corporation.

Although there is little information in the files pertaining to the Florence Crittenton Services, Ms. Ramquist did highly productive work for this organization, which resulted in major changes. She successfully lobbied for an appropriation of between one and three million dollars, said to be the largest appropriation made up to that time (1987) by the General Assembly to a non-profit human service organization. The organization used this money to build a home for unwed mothers. There is some correspondence regarding the Home Builders Association that Ms. Ramquist worked for, along with state senator Wilma Cummings Woodard. Another major organization that Ms. Ramquist worked for is the Learning Disabilities Association of N.C. Ms. Ramquist was the outreach coordinator for this group. Materials in these files include correspondence and papers that pertain to teacher training, advocacy, school reform legislation, budgeting, testing programs, legislative summaries, learning disabilities fact papers, and newspaper clippings.

Ms. Ramquist was a governmental affairs consultant for the N.C. Academy of Trial Lawyers between 1985 and 1986. She served as a liaison between the academy and various interest groups and as a spokeswoman for media interviews, and wrote articles for Trial Briefs. She worked towards halting tort reform legislation that the insurance industry and Medical Society advocated in the General Assembly. She accomplished this goal: the General Assembly passed insurance reform laws instead of tort reform laws. The papers regarding her activities with this organization include correspondence, staff reports, agendas, legislative reports, newsletters, a listing and description of various bills, newspaper articles, and cartoons.

There are legislative reports and information concerning bills, such as (SB.22) and (SB.516), which affect use of technology in the N.C. Association for Educational Communications and Technology for whom Ms. Ramquist achieved funding. There are also papers regarding the N.C. Association for Home Care, an organization dedicated to ensuring quality standards of home health care, for whom she served as consultant to their lobbyist.

Ms. Ramquist lobbied for and served as the Executive Director of the N.C. Counseling Association between 1990 and 1994. There are extensive materials in the collection concerning this organization, including correspondence, directories, legislation, including (HB.628), a bill concerning students' work hours, and (HB218), an act providing regulation of and licensure for counseling, and a newsletter, "Capital Connection." Ms. Ramquist worked effectively for this group: she obtained three million dollars for instructional support personnel by reinstating seventy-eight BEP positions, drafted the amendment (HB.628) that required a school counselor to notify students' employers if their grades fell below a "C" average, and advocated for a state testing program.

Ms. Ramquist also lobbied for the N.C. School Food Services Association between 1986 and 1987 along with Ms. Woodard. There is information regarding state funding for salaries, fund raising, legislative priorities, job descriptions, and proposals. The papers include a file relating to licensure efforts for the N.C. Society for Respiratory Care in 1995 and 1996. There is correspondence on (HB.1010), the respiratory care act, as well as an audiotape cassette of a radio interview. The Tobacco Institute file includes statewide reports on smoking bans and other correspondence. Ms. Ramquist worked part-time for this organization in 1990 and successfully convinced the Wake County commissioners to allow restaurants to post smoking policy and whether the restaurant was totally non-smoking or had a smoking section. What little correspondence there is on the World Trade Center (RTP) file consists of correspondence from Ms. Ramquist requesting to work on the World Trade Center Project. It is not known from this information whether or not she did indeed work on this project. The Zebulon D. Alley, P.A. file contains information on Ms. Ramquist's public relations efforts on behalf of this organization in 1988.

The Client Files are subdivided into Reference and Working Files, and are arranged alphabetically by subject.

American Association of Publishers
1993-1995, 1993-1995
Box PC.1887.2
1996-1997, 1996-1997
Box PC.1887.2
American Society of Interior Designers, 1988
American Society of Interior Designers, 1988
Box PC.1887.2
Educare, 1990-1991
Box PC.1887.2
Esparto (California) Teachers Conference, 1977
Box PC.1887.2
Florence Crittenton Services,1987, undated
Box PC.1887.2
Home Builders Association of Raleigh and Wake County,1987
Box PC.1887.2
Learning Disabilities Association of N.C.
Box PC.1887.2
1987-1989, 1987-1989
Box PC.1887.2
1990-1991, 1990-1991
Box PC.1887.2
1992-1994, 1992-1994
Box PC.1887.2
1995, undated, 1995, undated
Box PC.1887.2
N.C. Academy of Trial Lawyers,1985-1986
Box PC.1887.3
Correspondence, 1985-1986
Box PC.1887.3
Legislation File, 1986
Box PC.1887.3
Media Campaign, 1985-1986
Box PC.1887.3
Media Campaign-Cartoons
Box PC.1887.3
Media Campaign-Information
Box PC.1887.3
Membership List
Box PC.1887.3
N.C. Association for Counseling and Development-see N.C. Counseling Association
Box PC.1887.3
N.C. Assoc. for Educational Communications and Technology and N.C. Assoc. of School Librarians,1994-1996, undated
Box PC.1887.3
N.C. Association for Home Care, 1994
Box PC.1887.3
N.C. Association for Educators, 1986-1987
Box PC.1887.3
N.C. Counseling Association, 1989-1994
Box PC.1887.4
Correspondence, 1990-1994
Box PC.1887.4
Directories, 1989-1993
Box PC.1887.4
Legislation (Priorities), 1991-1996
Box PC.1887.4
Legislation (Students' Work Hours Bill: HB.628), 1993
Box PC.1887.4
Legislation (Professional Counselors Licensing Act: HB.218/SB.255), 1993
Box PC.1887.4
Newsletter, 1990-1994
Box PC.1887.4
N.C. Counseling Association. Newsletter, 1990-1994
Box PC.1887.4
N.C. School Food Service Association, 1986-1987
Box PC.1887.4
N.C. Society for Respiratory Care, 1995-1996
Box PC.1887.4
Sigma Technology, Inc., 1991
Box PC.1887.4
Tobacco Institute, 1990
Box PC.1887.4
Westinghouse Electric Corporation, 1989
Box PC.1887.4
World Trade Center (RTP), 1991
Box PC.1887.4
Zebulon D. Alley, P.A., 1988
Box PC.1887.4

3. Acupuncture--Reference Files, 1989-1993, undated

Scope and Contents note:

Ms. Ramquist worked as lobbyist for the N.C. Acupuncture Association. Her files contain numerous newspaper, journal, and magazine articles on this ancient Chinese method of inserting fine needles at specific points in the body to ease pain and to maintain health. Her files also include materials relating to M. Cissy Majembe, whom the Board of Medical Examiners (BME) investigated, and accused of practicing medicine without a license in 1990. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation raided her office and seized her medical records on June 5, 1990. Two weeks later a superior court judge dismissed the charges brought against Ms. Majembe and ordered the S.B.I. to return her records.

Articles, undated
Box PC.1887.5
Legislation (SB.422/HB261), 1993
Box PC.1887.5
Legislation (SB.422/HB261), Memo to House Judiciary Committee, 1993
Box PC.1887.5
Legislation (SB.422/HB261), Report to Legislative Committee on New Licensing Boards, 1993
Box PC.1887.5
Majembe Case, 1989-1993
Box PC.1887.5
Medical Surveys (AAAOM)
Box PC.1887.5
Reference Information
Box PC.1887.5
Research
Box PC.1887.5

4. Carolinians for Health Care Access (CHCA), 1985, 1989-1993, undated

Scope and Contents note:

North Carolinians for Health Care Access (CHCA). (eight SEVEN? fibredex boxes). This series reflects Mrs. Ramquist's efforts as a governmental affairs consultant for North Carolinians for Health Care Access, an organization that advocates North Carolinians' right to receive alternative medical treatment. Ms. Ramquist worked for this organization between 1991 and 1996, but also gathered reference information that predates 1991, which is housed in this collection. The series is divided into two subseries, Reference Files and Working Files, and are arranged alphabetically by subject. Reference files that relate to alternative medicine and healthcare are placed ahead of the other more specific CHCA Reference Files.

North Carolinians for Health Care Access (CHCA): Reference Files

Scope and Contents note:

Reference Files consists mostly of newspaper, magazine, and journal articles, fact papers, newsletters, pamphlets, brochures, and publications, as well as some correspondence, that Ms. Ramquist utilized to inform herself about both issues and events that relate to alternative medicine, as well as health care in general. These files contain numerous newspaper articles on subjects such as licensing for alternative medicine, herbs, home remedies, alternative medicine for pets, and debates on whether alternative medicine is quackery or fraud (both pro and con). General health care articles are also included, on topics such as malpractice, heart treatment, health care reform, and cancer. These files include insurance claims that Ms. Ramquist unsuccessfully filed in an attempt to get her insurance company to cover alternative medical treatment.

There is much reference information, including newspaper, journal, and magazine articles, fact papers, and various publications on chelation therapy, a form of alternative medical treatment that involves the intravenous administration of a protein-like substance such as EDTA, in combination with other nutrients. EDTA, or ethylenediamine tetraacetate, is a leaching agent used to treat heavy metal poisoning. The purpose of chelation therapy is to rid the body of potentially deadly poisons. There is also much reference material pertaining to homeopathy, a form of alternative medicine whose practitioners treat disease with tiny doses of natural substances that in larger amounts would cause the same symptoms as the ailment. These papers on homeopathy include newspaper, magazine, and journal articles, fact sheets, various publications, college brochures, and information pertaining to Dr. George A. Guess, a homeopathic practitioner formerly of Asheville whom the BME charged with illegally treating his patients with homeopathic medicine in 1985. In 1990, after five years of fighting the BME's decision to revoke his license in court, the State Supreme Court decided that the Board could indeed revoke his license to practice medicine because his use of homeopathic remedies departed from, and failed "to conform to the standards of acceptable and prevailing medical practices in North Carolina." In 1992 Dr. Guess gave up his battle, terminated his practice in North Carolina, and relocated. In June 1993, however, North Carolina legislators passed a law that prohibited the state medical board from revoking a doctor's license solely for using alternative medical practices. The files on the Guess case include examinations before the Board of Medical Examiners.

Reference Files on naturopathy, a form of alternative medicine that emphasizes the use of the body's natural recuperative powers and "natural" medicines, were brought together by Ms. Ramquist when she represented N.C. Naturopathic Physicians. They includes materials on medical schools, health care reform, standards of naturopathy, naturopathic law, correspondence relating to the accreditation of naturopathy, and cost-effectiveness of naturopathic medicine. There is a letter in these files addressed to Ms. Hilary Clinton in 1993 from the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) that accompanied a publication called "Contribution to Health Care Reform," which is included in the files. Additional reference information on naturopathy concerns licensure of naturopathic physicians, newsletters, and testimonials.

The CHCA Reference Files contain materials from a two day meeting that the National Institute of Health Ad Hoc Advisory Board on Alternative Medical Practices sponsored in Maryland on June 17 and 18, 1992. The report addresses issues such as methodologies for evaluating alternative medical practices and research funding.

Alternative Medicine-Articles
Box PC.1887.6
Alternative Medicine-Compendium I
Box PC.1887.6
Alternative Medicine and the FDA
Box PC.1887.6
Alternative Medicine-Insurance Claims
Box PC.1887.6
Alternative Medicine-Research
Box PC.1887.6
Health Care Articles-General
Box PC.1887.6
Chelation Therapy-Journal Articles
Box PC.1887.7
Chelation Therapy-Reference Information
Box PC.1887.7
Chelation Therapy-State Statutes
Box PC.1887.7
Chiropractic Medicine
Box PC.1887.7
Homeopathy-Guess Case, 1985-1993
Box PC.1887.7
Homeopathy-Guess Case-Examinations, pp. 2-138, 1985
Box PC.1887.7
Homeopathy-Guess Case-Examinations, pp. 139-271, 1985
Box PC.1887.7
Homeopathy-Reference Information
Box PC.1887.7
National Institute of Health Ad Hoc Advisory Board on Alternative Medical Practices, 1992
Box PC.1887.8
June 17, 1992, pp. 1-147
Box PC.1887.8
June 17, 1992, pp. 148-280
Box PC.1887.8
June 18, 1992, pp. 1-163
Box PC.1887.8
June 18, 1992, pp. 164-296
Box PC.1887.8
Naturopathy
Box PC.1887.8
Contributions to Health Care Reform,April, 1993
Box PC.1887.8
Naturopathy-Medical School Information
Box PC.1887.9
Naturopathy-Reference Information
Box PC.1887.9

North Carolinians for Health Care Access (CHCA): Working Files

Scope and Contents note:

Working Files consists of materials necessary for Ms. Ramquist's work as a lobbyist for CHCA, which includes correspondence, newsletters, briefing papers, and copies of both drafted and ratified legislation. There are numerous CHCA fact papers and position papers included in the Working Files. Correspondence reflects Ms. Ramquist's activities on behalf of the organization, and includes internal communication ("legislative updates," steering committee updates, newsletters, memos, flyers, action alerts and plans, etc.), doctor and patient testimonials, outreach to public officials and doctors, and letters regarding Representative Marie Colton's involvement (she supported alternative health care). Included, too, are papers pertaining to the Committee on Alternative Medical Practices, a panel that CHCA members organized to listen to expert testimony from a variety of practitioners regarding changes to the medical practice act. Members of this committee set out to explore the BME's power to revoke medical licenses, establish boards for the licensing and regulation of acupuncture and naturopathy, and establish a complementary board of medicine to regulate the use of alternative medicine.

Between January 1, 1992 and December 30, 1993 Ms. Ramquist served as a legislative agent to the General Assembly for Dr. John Laird, a North Carolina physician whom the BME charged with illegally prescribing EDTA (chelation therapy) for the treatments of vascular ailments on in November, 1984. The board attempted to revoke his license to practice medicine. The battle continued for nine years. There is little information pertaining to Ms. Ramquist's activities on behalf of Dr. Laird, though her contract with the doctor specifies her function: to lobby, to monitor legislation, to develop strategy, to submit reports, and to write legislative articles.

The CHCA Working Files papers include reports on Alternative Medical Practices Committee Hearings (1992) that Representative Colton co-chaired. The CHCA Working Files papers also consist of both proposed and ratified legislation between 1991 and 1993. Noteworthy legislation includes SB.341/HB.347, a ratified bill that requires not only the regulation of alternative medicine, but the limitation of powers of the BME as well. This bill effectively created an alternative medicine board, and represents concerns and issues that CHCA members championed.

The last two boxes of CHCA Working Files contain a North Carolina mailing list divided alphabetically by county.

Alternative Medicine-Briefing Papers
Box PC.1887.9
Correspondence,1991-1996
Box PC.1887.9
Correspondence,1991-1992
Box PC.1887.9
Correspondence,1992
Box PC.1887.9
Correspondence,1993
Box PC.1887.9
Correspondence,1993-1996, undated
Box PC.1887.10
Correspondence-Laird,1991-1993, undated
Box PC.1887.10
Internal Communication,1992-1994
Box PC.1887.10
Internal Communication,undated
Box PC.1887.10
Newsletters,1989-1994, undated
Box PC.1887.10
Legislation,1991-1993
Box PC.1887.10
Chiropractors, Attorneys, Medical Practice (SB. 740/HB.795), 1991
Box PC.1887.10
Board of Medical Examiners (HB.357/SB.240), 1991-1992
Box PC.1887.10
Alternative Medical Practices Access Study Commission (HB.1645), 1992
Box PC.1887.10
Alternative Medical Practices Committee (LRC)-Hearings,October 29, 1992
Box PC.1887.10
Alternative Medical Practices Committee (LRC)-Hearings,December 2, 1992
Box PC.1887.10
Alternative Medical Practices Committee (LRC)-Report (First Draft), 1992
Box PC.1887.10
Alternative Medical Practices Committee (LRC)-Report (Second Draft), 1992
Box PC.1887.10
Acupuncture (SB.422/HB.261), 1993
Box PC.1887.10
Acupuncture (SB.422/HB.261)-Memo to House Judiciary Committee, 1993
Box PC.1887.10
Acupuncture (SB.422/HB.261)-Report to Legislative Committee on New Licensing Boards, 1993
Box PC.1887.10
Alternative Medicine (SB.341/HB.347), 1993
Box PC.1887.10
Alternative Medicine (SB.341/HB.347)-N.C. Medical Society's Legislative Update, 1993
Box PC.1887.10
Medical Practice Act Amendment (HB.721), 1993
Box PC.1887.10
Naturopathy Act (HB.353), 1993
Box PC.1887.10
Mailing List, Alamance-Haywood County
Box PC.1887.11
Mailing List, Henderson-Yancey County
Box PC.1887.12

5. League of Women Voters of North Carolina (LWV-NC),1981-1994

Scope and Contents note:

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan group dedicated to fostering education in citizenship and supporting legislation believe to be of paramount importance in the public interest. Ms. Ramquist served as the Women's Issues Chair for the League of Women's Voters. She facilitated the development of legislative proposals, interpreted policies and analyzed congressional bills in order to determine the League's position on the legislation. Ms. Ramquist served as the liaison between the League and special interest groups. She both wrote and edited background papers for use in the Legislature, and wrote articles for N.C. Insight and N.C. Voter. In addition, Ms. Ramquist served as the media spokesperson and wrote press releases for the League. This series of her papers includes information on Ms. Ramquist's work as League lobbyist and development consultant from 1981 to 1992. During this period, she was also an active member of the League. The series is divided into two subseries: Working Files and Reference Files.

League of Women Voters of North Carolina (LWV-NC) Working Files

Scope and Contents note:

Working Files consists of materials necessary for performing of lobbyist duties for the League. The majority of materials relate to discussions between Ms. Ramquist and the League's State Board of current and future lobbying efforts, and development of League positions on various issues. Included are official statements of advocacy priorities for most, although not all of the years Ms. Ramquist was the League's lobbyist. There are files related to League fundraising endeavors both in Raleigh and across the state, including efforts to raise money for the League's Education Fund. Three files contain General Assembly voting records used both to track the League's progress, and to identify possible supporters and/or enemies of League positions. Various guides on writing and public interest litigation that Ms. Ramquist used to aid her in the performance of her duties as lobbyist are included. Also included is information relating to the termination of her contract in 1992 after a dispute with the State Board over its proposal concerning congressional redistricting.

Contracts,1988-1991
Box PC.1887.13
Election Issues,1983-1984
Box PC.1887.13
Reports and Correspondence,1988-1991
Box PC.1887.13
1988, 1988
Box PC.1887.13
1989, 1989
Box PC.1887.13
1990, 1990
Box PC.1887.13
1991, 1991
Box PC.1887.13
Termination of Contract,1993
Box PC.1887.13
Legislative Priorities,1983, 1985, 1988-1989; 1991
Box PC.1887.13
1985, 1985
Box PC.1887.13
1988, 1988
Box PC.1887.13
1989, 1989
Box PC.1887.13
1991, 1991
Box PC.1887.13
Legislative Report,1981-1982
Box PC.1887.13
Legislative Summary,1983
Box PC.1887.13
Public Interest Litigation Guides
Box PC.1887.14
Writing Effective Testimony Guides
Box PC.1887.14
LWV-NC Education Fund
Box PC.1887.14
Fundraising,1980-1991
Box PC.1887.14
Fundraising-Forsyth County,1980-1981
Box PC.1887.14
General Assembly
Box PC.1887.14
Voting Record,1981-1982
Box PC.1887.14
Voting Record,1983
Box PC.1887.14
Voting Record,1984-1989
Box PC.1887.14

League of Women Voters of North Carolina (LWV-NC) Reference Files

Scope and Contents note:

Reference Files consist of materials related to issues Ms Ramquist lobbied for on behalf of the League. A large amount of material is composed of newspaper and magazine clippings and publications related to these issues, which were likely used to inform Ms Ramquist's mind on associated topics. The four subject areas Ms. Ramquist used her lobbying efforts on are: education, environment, tax reform, and women's issues.

Efforts that fall under the subject of education include teacher salary increase, adequate education funding, and method of selection of the Superintendent of Public Instruction of North Carolina.

Environmental topics lobbied for include wastewater regulations, sedimentation pollution control, regulation of well construction, the Clean Detergent Act (phosphates ban), regulation of offshore drilling, and hazardous waste management. Management of hazardous low level radioactive waste composes the largest part of materials related to environmental lobby efforts. The League maintained an anti-landfilling stance, and attempted to get legislation passed to implement alternative disposal methods such as recycling and neutralization. The League also lobbied for strict liability for producers of such waste.

In the area of tax reform, the League aimed to establish a fair and equitable tax system that lessened the tax burden of the poor. Tax reform issues include but are not limited to the food tax, corporate tax, intangible tax, inheritance tax, sales tax exemptions, motor fuel tax, and motor vehicle and highway taxes. A small amount of materials also concerns tax reform as it relates to the economic development and future of North Carolina. A large number of newspaper clippings exist from 1991. During the 1990-1991 legislature, tax reform was a major issue, and the League and Ms. Ramquist were instrumental in the formation and passage of the final tax package.

Women's issues include lobbying efforts on behalf of day care regulations, alimony and equitable distribution of marital assets, rape and assault victims' rights, abused children, child support, pay equity and reproductive freedom. The files on reproductive freedom concern parental consent for abortion and the NC Abortion Fund. Materials on pay equity include League efforts to initiate in the 1984 legislature and then continue in 1985 a study of the state of North Carolina for the purposes of establishing an equal pay for equal work system. The NC General Assembly discontinued the study in 1985 despite League efforts to the contrary. Reference files are arranged alphabetically by subject.

Education,1983-1985
Box PC.1887.15
Education-Public Policy Education Project,1988
Box PC.1887.15
Education,1990-1991
Box PC.1887.15
Environment
Environmental Concerns
Box PC.1887.15
Folder,1983-1985
Box PC.1887.15
Folder,1990
Box PC.1887.15
Hazardous Waste
Box PC.1887.15
Folder,1983-1984
Box PC.1887.15
Folder,1985
Box PC.1887.15
Folder,1988-1989
Box PC.1887.15
Newspaper Clippings
Box PC.1887.16
Folder,1983-1986
Box PC.1887.16
Folder,1989-1994
Box PC.1887.16
Press Releases,1989-1990
Box PC.1887.16
Publications
Box PC.1887.16
<title xlink:type="simple" render="italic">Focus</title>
Box PC.1887.16
Folder,1983-1984; 1989
Box PC.1887.16
Folder,1990-1992
Box PC.1887.16
<title xlink:type="simple" render="italic">North Carolina Voter</title>,1982-1991
Box PC.1887.16
Miscellaneous,1987-1992
Box PC.1887.16
Tax Reform
Box PC.1887.17
1983-1985, 1983-1985
Box PC.1887.17
1989-1990, 1989-1990
Box PC.1887.17
1991-1992, 1991-1992
Box PC.1887.17
Newspaper Clippings,1991
Box PC.1887.17
Highway and Motor Vehicle Tax,1989
Box PC.1887.17
Corporate Income Tax,1991
Box PC.1887.17
Women's Issues,1970-1971; 1983-1985; 1989-1991
Box PC.1887.18
Alimony and Equitable Distribution,1983-1985
Box PC.1887.18
Child Abuse,1990
Box PC.1887.18
Child Support,1984; 1990-1991
Box PC.1887.18
Day Care,1984-1985
Box PC.1887.18
Pay Equity
Box PC.1887.18
1985, 1985
Box PC.1887.18
1985, 1985
Box PC.1887.18
Publications,1970-1971, 1984
Box PC.1887.18
Day Care,1984-1985
Box PC.1887.18
Rape and Assault,1983; 1985
Box PC.1887.18
Reproductive Freedom
Box PC.1887.18
1989, 1989
Box PC.1887.18
1990-1991, 1990-1991
Box PC.1887.18

6. Equal Rights Amendment (ERA),1981-1994

Scope and Contents note:

This series consists of materials related to the attempt to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment in North Carolina in the 1980s. Ms. Ramquist was the League of Women Voters of North Carolina ERA Chair, and led the League's attempts to get the ERA passed. The series is divided into two subseries: Working Files and General Files.

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) Working Files

Scope and Contents note:

Working Files are composed of materials Ms. Ramquist used to plan her strategies for support of ERA ratification. One file of particular note contains articles from national magazines and elsewhere on women significant either for their work for women's suffrage or for other historical reasons. There is some correspondence, but it is limited and consists of Ms. Ramquist's communications with the League of Women Voters of the United States, among others. Extensive planning notes taken by Ms. Ramquist in 1981 and 1984 as she pursued her strategies as ERA Chair are included. A speech in support of ERA ratification and source materials for that speech are also included, as are General Assembly ERA voting records from 1975-1982. Materials are arranged alphabetically by subject.

Articles on Significant Women,1973-1984
Box PC.1887.19
Correspondence,1980-1984
Box PC.1887.19
Endorsement Procedures & Criteria,1980-1984
Box PC.1887.19
General Assembly Voting Record (ERA),1975-1982
Box PC.1887.19
Planning Notes,1981; 1984
Box PC.1887.19
Speeches and Source Information,1982; undated
Box PC.1887.19

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) General Files

Scope and Contents note:

General Files are related to organizations and publications in support of ERA ratification. An exception is the extensive file of anti-ERA publications, pamphlets, and newsletters gathered from around the United States. A corresponding folder of pro-ERA publications also is present, including two issues of The LWV-US publication the ERA Report. Significant information exists on the National Business Council for ERA in North Carolina. The LWV-US organized and maintained this group to bring business pressure to bear against state legislatures in unratified states. Extensive membership lists are included, as are membership qualifications and procedures for enlisting. Many significant NC business leaders were members of the Council. A miscellaneous folder of ERA themed greeting cards and an ERA campaign button from Pennsylvania are included in this subseries. The material is arranged alphabetically by subject, with the exception of the miscellaneous, which is the final folder.

National Business Council in NC for ERA-NC
Box PC.1887.20
Member Lists,1980-1982
Box PC.1887.20
Potential Member Lists,1976-1982
Box PC.1887.20
Publications
Box PC.1887.20
Anti-ERA,1972-1982
Box PC.1887.20
<title xlink:type="simple" render="italic">ERA Report</title>,1980-1981
Box PC.1887.20
Miscellaneous Cards and Campaign Button,1977-1978, 1981, undated
Box PC.1887.20

7. North Carolina Association of Nurse Anesthetists (NCANA),1994-2001

Scope and Contents note:

Ms. Ramquist began work for the North Carolina Association of Nurse Anesthetists (NCANA) in 1994. In 1993, the North Carolina Board of Nursing adopted rules regarding nurse anesthesia practice, which allowed nurses who met training requirements to administer anesthesia "in collaboration with a physician, dentist, podiatrist, or other lawfully qualified health care provider." (Administration Rule 21 NCAC 36.0226 - Nurse Anesthesia Practice) Representatives for the North Carolina Society for Anesthesiologists warned and later sued the NC Board of Nursing for exceeding General Statute law 90-171.20, saying "supervision" by an anesthesiologist was required. The NC Board of Nursing rules were permanently adopted December 1, 1994. Ms. Ramquist lobbied for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) in any health care legislation to make sure the language did not limit CRNAs' jobs. Specifically, she made sure new legislation was not written requiring CRNAs be supervised specifically by an anesthesiologist. She also advocated for direct reimbursement to CRNAs from Medicaid and insurance companies. She sent her clients updates on her and/or a bill's progress, and guided them on how to lobby, get in touch with a representative, and matched CRNAs with their respective representative or senator.

Papers in this series [of subject files] include reports/updates, research on nurse anesthetists, anesthesiologists, their education and qualifications, and deaths involving anesthesia, correspondence, newspaper articles and editorials, courts cases, Medicaid & Medicare, various bills and laws, hospitals and their staff of CRNAs and/or anesthesiologists, material from the opposition, and information on nurse anesthetists in other states. Files are arranged alphabetically by subject.

Action Alerts,1994-2001
Box PC.1887.21
American Society of Anesthesiologists:
Box PC.1887.21
Articles and letters,1995- 1996
Box PC.1887.21
Public Relations,1998
Box PC.1887.21
Billing Specifics (2 folders),1992-1999
Box PC.1887.21
Bills: Legislative re: CRNA,1993-1999
Box PC.1887.21
Business Aspects: Managed Care,1995
Box PC.1887.21
Chief Nurse Anesthetists,1995-1998
Box PC.1887.21
Clinical Privileges: On-Discrimination,1994
Box PC.1887.21
Contacts (2 folders)
Box PC.1887.21
Correspondence,1994-1997
Box PC.1887.21
Cost Effective,1985-1994
Box PC.1887.21
Court Cases/Legal (2 folders),1993-1998
Box PC.1887.22
Education,1998
Box PC.1887.22
Fact Sheets,1988-2001
Box PC.1887.22
Hospitals
Box PC.1887.22
Hospital Rules,1995-1998
Box PC.1887.22
Lecture/Talk transparencies
Box PC.1887.22
Malpractice & Liability Premiums,1995
Box PC.1887.22
Media - newspaper clippings, etc.,1992-1999
Box PC.1887.22
Medicare/Medicaid,1994-2001
Box PC.1887.22
NCANA Newsletters,1995-2001
Box PC.1887.23
NC Association of Nurse Anesthetists,1995-2001
Box PC.1887.24
Nursing Practice Act: draft bill,2000
Box PC.1887.24
Office Based Anesthesia,2000-2001
Box PC.1887.24
Opposition (2 folders),1995-2001
Box PC.1887.24
Political Action Committee (PAC),1997-1999
Box PC.1887.24
Practice Parameters,1992-1994
Box PC.1887.24
Prescription Authority,1993-1996
Box PC.1887.24
Reimbursement (2 folders),1989-2001
Box PC.1887.24
Reports:
Box PC.1887.25
1994-1996, 1994-1996
Box PC.1887.25
1997-2000, 1997-2000
Box PC.1887.25
Opposition (2 folders),1995-2001
Box PC.1887.25
Requests,1998-1999
Box PC.1887.25
Research
Box PC.1887.25
[General],1997-1998
Box PC.1887.25
CRNA Chief's Seminar January 27, 1996
Box PC.1887.25
NCANA Summary of Research 1996
Box PC.1887.25
NCANA Summary of Research 1998
Box PC.1887.25
People's Pharmacy Tapes (audio tapes), July 1992
Box PC.1887.25
Rules,1993-2000
Box PC.1887.25
Salary,1995-2001
Box PC.1887.25
Scope of Practice Defined,1995-1998
Box PC.1887.25
Supervision of CRNA,1995-2001
Box PC.1887.25
Testimony,1996-1997
Box PC.1887.25
Votes (also includes legislative mailing addresses, phone nos.),1993, 1995
Box PC.1887.25
Opposition (2 folders),1995-2001
Box PC.1887.25

8. North Carolina Dental Hygiene Association (NCDHA),1993-2001

Scope and Contents note:

Ms. Ramquist began work for the NCDHA in January 1997. She lobbied for HB 564 Supervising Dental Hygienists which allowed dental hygienists to work under direct or general supervision and let dentists decide whether to supervise a maximum of three dental hygienists in their private office, versus two. The bill also allowed for a waver of the maximum number of dental hygienists allowed to work in nursing homes while under the supervision of a dentist. Other issues she kept track of involved the education and training of dental hygienists. Companion bills SB861 and HB974 allowed licensure by credentials, not examination, for out-of-state dentists and dental hygienists moving to North Carolina. However, an amendment was attached, effectively lowering the standards of education required for a dental hygienist and the bills were defeated. Other issues Ms. Ramquist followed involved the lack of dentists taking Medicaid patients, preceptorship (on-the-job training by dentists to become a dental hygienist versus graduating from an accredited program), the Caring Dentist Program which would have required dental hygienist pay a $15 fee in addition to the annual license renewal fee, and more representation of dental hygienists on the state Dental Board. She also sent her clients updates on her and/or a bill's progress, guided them on how to lobby and get in touch with their representative. She helped members of the Dental Task Force in their study to improve dental care access.

Papers in this series include reports/updates, research on dental hygienists, dental assistants, and dentists, their education, qualifications, and ratio, correspondence, newspaper articles and editorials, letters of support from dental hygienists, dentists, and other groups such as nursing homes, material from the opposition, various bills and laws, court cases, and information on dental hygienists in other states. Files are arranged alphabetically by subject.

Accreditation,1992-2001
Box PC.1887.26
Action Alert,1997-2000
Box PC.1887.26
Allies,1995-2001
Box PC.1887.26
Anesthesia,1993-1999
Box PC.1887.26
Background:
Box PC.1887.26
General
Box PC.1887.26
Licensing, Employment, Restrictions,1992-2001
Box PC.1887.26
Bills, legislature:
Box PC.1887.26
1993-1997, 1993-1997
Box PC.1887.26
1999, 1999
Box PC.1887.26
2000-2001, 2000-2001
Box PC.1887.26
Board of Dental Examiners,2000-2002
Box PC.1887.26
Cost Effectiveness: of Prevention,1993-1999
Box PC.1887.26
Credential (Reciprocity),1997-2001
Box PC.1887.26
Caring Dentist Program,2000
Box PC.1887.26
Correspondence, 1996-2000
Box PC.1887.27
Dental Hygienists and Dentists,1997-2000
Box PC.1887.27
Legislators, 1996-2000
Box PC.1887.27
Court Cases,1997
Box PC.1887.27
Demographics,1999-2000
Box PC.1887.27
Dental Assistants,1995-2001
Box PC.1887.27
Dental Hygienists,1997-2001
Box PC.1887.27
DDS bad behavior,1996-2001
Box PC.1887.27
Education,1997-2001
Box PC.1887.27
General Supervision,1997-1999
Box PC.1887.27
Letters of Support,1996-1998
Box PC.1887.27
Legislative Priorities
Box PC.1887.27
Liability,1987-1997
Box PC.1887.27
Media,1997-2002
Box PC.1887.27
Medicaid/Medicare,1999-2000
Box PC.1887.27
Newsletters,1997-2001
Box PC.1887.27
Opposition,1996-2001
Box PC.1887.27
Other States,1999-2001
Box PC.1887.28
Public Health: Dental Hygienist,2001
Box PC.1887.28
Reimbursement,1999
Box PC.1887.28
Reports,1997-1999
Box PC.1887.28
Rules,2000-2001
Box PC.1887.28
Salary,1996-1999
Box PC.1887.28
Senior Homes and Other Care Facilities
Box PC.1887.28
Shortage,1992-2001
Box PC.1887.28
Study Committee: NC Dental Hygiene Act,1980
Box PC.1887.28
Task Force on Dental Care Access (2 folders),1994-2000
Box PC.1887.28
Task Force on Dental Care Access (2 folders),1994-2000
Box PC.1887.28

9. North Carolina State Optometric Society (NCSOS),1989-1999

Scope and Contents note:

Ms. Ramquist worked for the NCSOS in 1989. When an optometrist tried to add himself to a patient's PCP HMO network, he encountered years of problems. This encounter raised several issues with managed care, including provider discrimination, patient access, timely disclosure of providers, and termination without cause. Over two years, Ms. Ramquist lobbied successfully for non-discrimination, the ability of optometrists and ophthalmologists to form professional corporations, and an increase in the scope of practice of optometrists.

This series contains the anecdote of the optometrist, booklets on managed care, material from meetings of optometrists and ophthalmologists on managed care and eye care access, information on other states, and reports by Ms. Ramquist regarding various bills. Files are arranged alphabetically by subject.

Agreement to Serve as Legislative Agent,1989
Box PC.1887.29
Anecdotal,1995-1999
Box PC.1887.29
Court Cases,1994
Box PC.1887.29
Managed Care:
Box PC.1887.29
Any Willing Provider Plan,1994-1997
Box PC.1887.29
Comparison, August, 1998
Box PC.1887.29
Consumer Information,1999
Box PC.1887.29
Grievance/Review, 1997-1999
Box PC.1887.29
PSO, 1997-1998
Box PC.1887.29
Media,1996, 1999
Box PC.1887.29
Meeting:
Box PC.1887.29
Eye Care Access, Managed Care, HB285
Box PC.1887.29
Eye Care Access, Managed Care, Various Bills, Other States
Box PC.1887.29
Newsletter, Fall, 1998
Box PC.1887.29
North Carolina Law
Box PC.1887.29
Other States,1995-1996
Box PC.1887.29
Provider Action Alert,1999
Box PC.1887.29
Court Cases,1994
Box PC.1887.29

10. Client Files:Miscellaneous Organizations: Additions,2003-2006

Scope and Contents note:

Additions to the Ramquist papers, 2003-2006, include her working files, study files, reference files, and miscellaenous material for the following organizations for which Ms. Ramquist worked as a lobbyist, or was otherwise affiliated: the North Carolina Public Transportation Association; the North Carolina Society of Accountants; the North Carolina Association of Teacher Assistants, and the Friends of Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh, N.C., the North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians; the North Carolina Integrative Medical Society; and the North Carolina [State] Optometric Society

North Carolina Public Transportation Association (NCPTA),2003-2006
Box PC.1887.30
NCPTA and the North Carolina Society of Accountants,2003-2006
Box PC.1887.31
How to be a Lobbyist,2003-2006
Box PC.1887.32
Miscellaneous Material,2003-2006
Box PC.1887.33
North Carolina Association of Teacher Assistants,2003-2006
Box PC.1887.34
North Carolina Association of Teacher Assistants,2003-2006
Box PC.1887.35
North Carolina Association of Teacher Assistants,2003-2006
Box PC.1887.36
North Carolina Association of Teacher Assistants,2003-2006
Box PC.1887.37
Friends of Dorothea Dix Park, Raleigh, N.C.,2003-2006
Box PC.1887.38
Friends of Dorothea Dix Park, Raleigh, N.C.,2003-2006
Box PC.1887.39
North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians,2003
Box PC.1887.40
N.C. Integrative Medical Society and N.C. Optometric Society,2003-2004
Box PC.1887.41
N.C. Integrative Medical Society and N.C. Optometric Society,2003-2004
Box PC.1887.42

Subject Headings

  • Majembe, M. Cissy.
  • Wilson, Dudley
  • Woodard, Wilma Cummings, 1934-
  • Janis L. Ramquist
  • American Association of Anesthesiologists
  • American Medical Society
  • Carolinians for Health Care Access
  • Democratic Party (N.C.)
  • Florence Crittenton Homes Association
  • Friends of Dorothea Dix Park, Raleigh, N.C..
  • Home Builders Association of Raleigh and Wake County (N.C.)
  • League of Women Voters of North Carolina.
  • Learning Disabilities Association of North Carolina
  • North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers.
  • North Carolina Acupuncture Association.
  • North Carolina Association for Educational Communications and Technology.
  • North Carolina Association for Educators.
  • North Carolina Association for Home Care.
  • North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians.
  • North Carolina Association of Nurse Anesthetists.
  • North Carolina Association of School Librarians.
  • North Carolina Association of Teacher Assistants.
  • North Carolina Counseling Association.
  • North Carolina Dental Hygiene Association.
  • North Carolina Dental Hygienists Association.
  • North Carolina Integrative Medical Society.
  • North Carolina Optometric Society.
  • North Carolina Public Transportation Association.
  • North Carolina Society of Accountants
  • North Carolina State Optometric Society.
  • North Carolina. Board of Medical Examiners
  • Tobacco Institute (Washington, D.C.)
  • Friends of Dix Park
  • 306/Dix
  • League of Women Voters
  • North Carolinians for Health Care Access
  • General Assembly
  • Abortion--Law and legislation
  • Acupuncture.
  • Alimony
  • Alimony.
  • Chelation therapy.
  • Child abuse.
  • Chiropractic.
  • Daycare centers.
  • Environmental protection.
  • Equal rights amendments
  • Equal rights amendments.
  • Equitable distribution of marital property
  • Equitable distribution of marital property.
  • Hazardous wastes--Environmental aspects
  • Hazardous wastes
  • Hazardous wastes.
  • Homeopathy.
  • Lobbyists.
  • Managed care plans (Medical care).
  • Naturopathy.
  • Nurse anesthetists.
  • Optometrists--Fees--United States.
  • Pay equity.
  • Pro-choice movement.
  • Rape.
  • Taxation, State.
  • Text-books.
  • Therapeutics.
  • Women.
  • Dix Park
  • Forsyth County (N.C.)
  • Wake County (N.C.)
  • Winston-Salem (N.C.)
  • Raleigh (N.C.)
  • Lobbyist
  • Acquisitions Information

    Gift of Janis L. Ramquist, Raleigh, N.C., 1998, 2002, 2017. Additions made to the papers in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2017.

    Processing Information

  • Finding aid versions by Jane V. Charles, Sarah A. Nerney, and Abigail J. Rovner, April 12, 1998 and July 8, 2002. Finding aid revisions and additions by Fran Tracy-Walls, September-October 2014. Encoded by Fran Tracy-Walls, March 3, 2003. Encoding revised by Aaron Cusick, September 2014 and by Fran Tracy-Walls, October 2014. Revised and updated by Fran Tracy-Walls, July 2019, for publication in Discover Online Catalog (DOC).