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The I Love You Foundation Records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS164

Scope and Contents

The Collection consists of three boxes-two boxes contain documents and one box contains samples of the I Love You Foundation’s patches and buttons the group sold for fund-raising. Also in the collection are two 12 x 9 and two 9 x 6 envelopes of loose photographs, slides, and negatives. (Please see Gallaudet University Archives staff for assistance with viewing artifacts and photographs.) Documents range from correspondences, minutes, artworks for logo designs, newspaper clippings, and By-Laws.

The majority of content and strongest portion of the Collection is the artwork for the ILY Foundation’s logo. Many drafts of the logo in different colors, shapes, and designs can be found. There is also one folder dedicated to advertisements that the organization was using for general ideas for future products featuring the copyrighted logo. Missing from the Collection is any information regarding the status of the ILY Foundation after Betty G. Miller’s resignation in 1976. There is one document, a minutes report from December 8th, 1976, in which Gil Eastman had been accepted as the acting President. Following this bit of data it can only be assumed that the organization was dissolved shortly thereafter.

Dates

  • Creation: 1971 - 1977

Biographical / Historical

The I Love You Foundation was established in Washington, DC, in May of 1972 by Betty G. Miller and Frank Del Rosso. Miller served as the organization’s President. The purpose of the I Love You (ILY) Foundation was to promote the recognition of American Sign Language as the foremost language of the Deaf; to assist in methods towards bridging the gap between the hearing and the Deaf via American Sign Language; and to encourage research and study regarding communication and the visual arts as they pertain to the Deaf.

An image of the American Sign Language sign for “I love you” was copyrighted in 1972 and served as the Foundation’s logo, which was then imprinted on buttons and patches. The sales of these items provided the Foundation with one of its primary methods of fund-raising. In 1976 Miller resigned as the ILY Foundation’s President and requested that the organization be merged with Spectrum or DeafPride. The governing board rejected the decision for a merge. Based on the information available it appears that the I Love You Foundation dissolved shortly after Miller’s resignation.

Extent

1.5 Linear Feet (3 document cases)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection consists of correspondences, minutes, logo designs, newspaper clippings, By-Laws, and photographs. Also in the collection are patches and buttons containing the I Love You Foundation’s logo.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated to the Archives on August 30, 1993.

Related Materials

Vertical Files

I Love You Foundation. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Deaf Subject

Title
The I Love You Foundation Records
Status
Completed
Author
Peterson, Jeffrey
Date
Original creation April 10, 2008. ArchivesSpace version created November 2, 2023.
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Gallaudet University Archives Repository

Contact:
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Washington DC 20002 USA