Manuscripts - Collection of I Love You Foundation, 1971-1977

MSS 164

I Love You Foundation, 1972-1976

Collection of I Love You Foundation, 1971-1977

Gallaudet University Archives

Descriptive Summary

Repository: Gallaudet University Archives

Call No.: MSS 164

Creator:

Title: Collection of I Love You Foundation, 1971-1977

Quantity: 1.5 linear feet (3 boxes)

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.

Note: Administrative Information

Acquisition Information: The Collection of I Love You Foundation was donated to the Gallaudet University Archives on August 30th, 1993.

Processed By: Jeffrey Peterson, 2008 April 10.

Processing Note:

Conditions on Use and Access: This collection is open to the public with no restrictions. Photocopies may be made for scholarly research.

Related Material in the Archives

Vertical Files

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

Agency History

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.

Scope and Content

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.

Series Description and Folder Lists

No Series