L. Karen Darner Legislative Papers, 1990-2004

Access and use

Location of collection:
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888

Summary

Extent:
16.875 cubic feet (38 boxes)
Creator:
Darner, L. Karen, 1945-
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

Legislative papers, 1990-2004, of L. Karen Darner (1945- ) of Arlington, Democratic representative of the 49th District in the Virginia General Assembly, 1991-2003, include files on legislation and related issues, as well as papers related to her several campaigns for election and re-election, and correspondence. Some of the focal issues of Darner's legislative career include gun control, women's rights, education, limits on smoking in public, reform of the so-called "Crimes Against Nature" law, mental illness, and immigrant rights.

Biographical / historical:

L. Karen Darner (D-Arlington) was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in a January 1991 special election to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Warren G. Stambaugh. She won re-election several times, ultimately serving in thirteen General Assembly sessions, the last in 2003. Over the course of her legislative career, she focused on issues including gun control, women's rights, education, limits on smoking in and near schools, reform of the so-called "Crimes Against Nature" law, mental illness, and immigrant rights.

A teacher and speech pathologist in the Arlngton County Schools before, during, and after her years in the General Assembly, Darner served for twelve years on the Virginia Commission on Youth, and fulfilled a two-year term as chair of Virginia's Council on the Status of Women. Her civic and community involvement also includes service on Arlington's Commission on the Status of Women and Planning Commission, her role as the first co-coordinator of Arlington's Rape Victim Companion program, and leadership positions with the League of Women Voters, the Arlington Civic Federation, the Mental Health Association of Northern Virginia, the Arlington Community Shelter (later known as Doorways), the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, the Personal Support Network of the ARC, the Marjorie Hughes Fund for Children, and the American Association of University Women. She also served in the Peace Corps, 1988-1990. In 2009, she received the Arlington Community Foundation's annual William T. Newman, Jr. Spirit of Community Award.

Acquisition information:
Gift of L. Karen Darner, Arlington, Virginia, 24 July 2014.
Physical location:
THIS COLLECTION IS LOCATED AT THE STATE RECORDS CENTER. CONTACT ARCHIVES REFERENCE SERVICES FOR ACCESS INFORMATION, DIRECTIONS, AND HOURS.