Sylvia "Rusty" Stengle papers, 1965-2024

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Summary

Creator:
Stengle, Sylvia "Rusty", 1939-
Abstract:
Sylvia "Rusty" Stengle is a reproductive rights activist, reproductive health provider, and feminist. The Sylvia "Rusty" Stengle papers reflect her career with the Allentown Women's Center, the National Abortion Federation, and other professional activities. The collection contains correspondence, writings, reference files, court cases, clippings, guides and trainings. Acquired as part of the Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture.
Extent:
14.5 Linear Feet (11 boxes)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Research Center:
Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture
Collection ID:
RL.13185

Background

Scope and content:

The papers of reproductive rights activist and feminist Sylvia "Rusty" Stengle highlight her professional career as an activist and reproductive healthcare provider working with Allentown Women's Center and National Abortion Federation. The majority of the collection documents Allentown Women's Center administrative, correspondence, article clippings, and legal/court documents. Other materials include National Abortion Federation administrative, correspondence, and training guide files as well as awards, articles, notes, speeches, correspondence, and files from other professional partnerships related to her activism.

Note: A few files in the Allentown Women Center series contain images depicting aborted fetuses. Files have been noted when known.

Biographical / historical:

Sylvia "Rusty" Stengle is a reproductive rights activist, reproductive health provider, and feminist. Stengle founded the Allentown Women's Center (AWC) in Pennsylvania in 1978 and served as its Executive Director.

Stengle worked as the Education Director for Planned Parenthood of Northampton County until she founded AWC in 1978; she served as AWC's Executive Director until 1996. In 1979, the clinic encountered challenges with local zoning board driven by anti-abortion activists who worked to shut down the clinic; their efforts were unsuccessful, and the clinic was able to reopen. AWC was a part of the Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Robert Casey Governor of Pennsylvania (1992) lawsuit went to the Supreme Court and upheld the decision in Roe v. Wade (1973); Stengle provided testimony in this case and a number of other lawsuits involving AWC regarding trespassing, buffer zones/zoning, and protestors. She retired from AWC in 2015.

She also founded the Lehigh Valley Abortion Association in 1971 as an organization to educate and advocate for abortion rights before Roe v. Wade decision. She conducted a series of seminars in family planning for case workers and income maintenance workers at the Northampton County Board of Assistance. In 1981, she founded the Southern Tier Women's Center and appointed colleague Peg Johnston as director. Stengle served on the Board of Directors of the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL). In 1990, she received the Clara Bell Duvall Education Fund award. She also served as the National Abortion Federation (NAF) Executive Director from 1993-1994. From 1998 to 2002 she was employed by the Lehigh Valley Hospital Community Health Department Component.

Acquisition information:
The Sylvia "Rusty" Stengle papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a gift in 2025.
Processing information:

Processed by Kemisa Kassa and Ren Bickel, May 2026.

Accessions described in this collection guide: 2025-0079.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged in two series: Professional papers (1965-2024) and Organizations (1977-2019); the latter consists of the sub-series National Abortion Foundation and Allentown Women's Center. The majority of the folder titles were derived from the creator(s).

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

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Restrictions:

Access note. Collection contains original audiovisual items that need to be reformatted before use. Contact Research Services for access.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the Rubenstein Library's Citations, Permissions, and Copyright guide.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Sylvia "Rusty" Stengle papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

Permalink:
https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m1574r