Records of the Massachusetts State Division of the American Association of University Women, 1930-1976
Overview
Constitutions, by-laws, minutes, etc., of the Massachusetts State Division of the American Association of University Women, founded in 1921 through the merger of the Association of Collegiate Alumnae and the Southern Association of College Women.
Dates
- Creation: 1930-1976
Language of Materials
Materials in English.
Access Restrictions:
Access. Collection is open for research. An appointment is necessary to use any audiovisual material.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright. Copyright in the records created by the American Association of University Women. Massachusetts State Division is held by the President and Fellows of Harvard College for the Schlesinger Library. Copyright in other papers in the collection may be held by their authors, or the authors' heirs or assigns.
Copying. Records may be copied in accordance with the library's usual procedures.
Extent
1.67 linear feet ((4 file boxes) plus 5 folders photographs, 1 reel microfilm, electronic records)This collection includes constitutions, by-laws, minutes, histories, lists of officers and members, programs, and reports of the Division and its branches; correspondence, reports, photographs, newsclippings, and other records of the Massachusetts State Division Fellowship Committee; a microfilm of newsclippings about the Massachusetts State Division and various branches, compiled by the Publicity Committee; and records of the Worcester Branch Writers Workshop. Addenda to these records were processed separately in February 2010 ( MC 597), and newsletters removed and transferred to the library's periodicals collection; consult the library's catalog for holdings. Records of the Boston Branch have been processed separately, with the exception of those pertaining to the Fellowship Committee.
In March 1986, four Massachusetts repositories signed an agreement to collect jointly the archives of the Massachusetts Division and its branches. The Schlesinger Library continues to collect the records of the Division and of chapters in Middlesex, Norfolk, and Suffolk counties. The Essex Institute in Salem collects records of chapters in Essex County; the Sophia Smith Collection, Smith College, chapter records from Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester counties; and the Wheaton College Archives, chapter records from Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket, and Plymouth counties and the Foxboro chapter. The following inventory contains listings of all branch records up to 1976 held by the Schlesinger Library. Listings for branch records that were sent to one of the other repositories in March 1986 can be found in the separation record.
Massachusetts State Division's web site is being captured periodically as part of Harvard University Library's Web Archive Collection service (WAX); searchable archived versions of the web site will be available through this finding aid in 2010.
HISTORY
The American Association of University Women was founded in 1921 through the merger of the Association of Collegiate Alumnae and the Southern Association of College Women. Its basic goal was to further women's education and career opportunities. In 1930, six AAUW branches joined with several general members of the Association and two college clubs to establish the Massachusetts State Division (Massachusetts State Division) of the AAUW. By 1976 there were 23 branches in the Massachusetts State Division. The stated purposes of the Division are "to further the aims, policies, and programs of the Association, to foster the development and maintenance of high standards of education, to strengthen the fellowship among university women in order that their influence may be felt throughout the Commonwealth in the solution of social and civic problems, to secure broader opportunities for women, to organize new Branches of the Association, and to promote, encourage, and coordinate the work of the Branches throughout the Commonwealth." Activities have included legislative lobbying for bills concerning education, and fund-raising for fellowships.
ARRANGEMENT
The collection is arranged in two series:
- Series I. Division records, 1930-1976
- ___A. General records. Folders IA.1 - IA.44, E.1
- ___B. Fellowship Committee. Folders IB.1 - IB.25
- ___C. Publicity Committee. M-106 (microfilm only)
- Series II. Branch records, 1933-1976 (scattered). Folders IIA.1, IIA.8 - IIA.9, IIA.12, IIA.28, IIA.41 - IIA.42, IIA.44
Physical Location
Collection stored off site: researchers must request access 36 hours before use.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Accession numbers: 1568, 70-31, 70-51, 71-133, 72-19, 73-57, 74-123, 74-287, 76-102, 76-351
The records of the Massachusetts State Division of the American Association of University Women were deposited in the Schlesinger Library between April 1969 and November 1976 by the Division.
Related Material:
There is related material at the Schlesinger Library; see American Association of University Women. Massachusetts State Division Additional Records, 1921-2007 ( MC 597), American Association of University Women, Boston Branch Records, 1886-1978 (MC 271), and the American Association of University Women Audiotape collection, ca. 1960-1971 (T-358).
SEPARATION RECORD
The following items with reference to Andover-Georgetown have been removed from the collection and sent to Essex Institute, Salem:
- Programs, including lists of officers and members, 1970-1974
- Newsletters, 1971 - June 1973
- Newsletters, September 1973 - June 1976
The following items with reference to Attleboro have been removed from the collection and sent to Wheaton College Archives, Norton:
- Historians' reports, 1958/1959 - 1974/1975; announcements of meetings; newsletters, 1975 - May 1976
- Yearbooks, 1960/1961 - 1974/1975
- Newsclippings and photocopies of newsclippings re Attleboro AAUW activities, 1971-1975 [originally enclosed with letter from Betty Licher, May 8, 1975, in folder IIA.5]
The following items with reference to Cape Cod have been removed from the collection and sent to Wheaton College Archives, Norton:
- Histories, 1962/1963 - 1975/1976
- Membership directories, 1972/1973, 1974/1975
- Newsclipping, February 1966
- Announcements of workshops, meetings, etc., 1974-1976
- Newsletters, 1975-1976. [Missing Vol. 1, No. 1]
The following items with reference to the Connecticut Valley have been removed from the collection and sent to Sophia Smith Collection, Smith College:
- Histories and programs, 1945/1946 - 1960/1961: History for 1945/1946 includes history since founding in 1925; Programs include lists of officers; Mimeo. memo from Marion Gilliam, October 22, 1946
- Histories and programs, 1961/1962 - 1973/1974: 1973/1974 program includes membership directory
- Letters (mimeo., ditto) to members
- Newsletters, 1961-1976 (scattered)
- Newsclippings, 1958, 1965, 1967-1968, 1970, n.d.
The following items with reference to the Fall River (organized 1896 as branch of Association of Collegiate Alumnae; became AAUW branch in 1921) have been removed from the collection and sent to Wheaton College Archives, Norton:
- Histories: 1896-1945, 1945-1949, 1949-1951
- Historians' reports, 1951/1952 - 1973/1974
- Newsletters, 1975-1976
- Announcement of dinner honoring Judge Beatrice Mullaney, May 1975
The following items with reference to Foxboro have been removed from the collection and sent to Wheaton College Archives, Norton:
- Histories, 1962/1963 - 1968/1969
- Newsletters, October 1964 - April 1970
- Newsletters, September 1970 - May 1976
- List of charter members, executive committee, study groups, December 1962
- Programs, 1965/1966 - 1966/1967
- Membership list, January 1967
- Yearbook, including program and membership, 1967/1968
- Two newsclippings, 1967
The following items with reference to Franklin County have been removed from the collection and sent to the Sophia Smith Collection, Smith College:
- Histories and programs
- Histories: 1935-1945, 1946-1949
- Historians' reports, 1951/1952 - 1974/1975
- Programs, 1950-1976 (scattered)
- Membership lists: 1964/1965, 1965/1966
- Newsclippings, 1951-1954, 1958
The following items with reference to the Hingham Area (a.k.a. South Shore) have been removed from the collection and sent to Wheaton College Archives, Norton:
- History, 1967-1969; list of charter members; newsletters, 1969 - May 1971
- Newsletters, September 1971 - May 1972
- Newsletters, September 1972 - May 1973
- Newsletters, September 1973 - May 1974
- Newsletters, September 1974 - May 1976
- Newsclippings, 1968-1969
The following items with reference to the NEW BEDFORD, COLLEGE CLUB OF (organized 1906 as College Club of New Bedford, became AAUW branch in 1930) have been removed from the collection and sent to Wheaton College Archives, Norton:
- Histories, 1906-1945, 1945-1947
- Historians' reports, 1948/1949 - 1974/1975
- Reports presented at annual meeting, 1970/1971, 1972/1973, 1974/1975
- Programs, 1967-1969
- Program booklets with membership directories, 1966/1967, 1967/1968, 1969/1970
- Newsletters, 1968, 1975-1976
The following items with reference to the North Adams area have been removed from the collection and sent to Essex Institute, Salem:
- President's report, 1970-1972
- Descriptions of North Adams Area activities, c.1970, n.d.
- Programs
- Photocopies of newsclippings and ts. publicity releases, 1974-1975
- Membership directories, 1970/1971, 1971/1972, 1974/1975
- Newsletters, 1970-1972
The following items with reference to the North Shore (organized 1931 as Salem Branch; name changed to North Shore in 1935) have been removed from the collection and sent to Essex Institute, Salem:
- Early records, 1933-1941: Receipts; Fellowship fund accounts; Treasurer's report, 1936/1937; Nominating committee report, 1936; Lists of members, 1933-1941
- Histories, 1931-c.1943, 1931-1973, 1948-1951
- Historians' reports and programs, 1945/1946 - 1970/1971, n.d.
- Membership directories, 1963/1964 - 1966/1967, 1970/1971
- Newsletters, 1964 - June 1973
- Newsletters, September 1973 - June 1976
- Newsclippings, 1952-1958, 1972-1975(?)
- Photographs: 3 snapshots of E. McKey, C. Farrar, M. Martini, and M. Cato(?), preparing for fair, May 10, 1975(?)
The following items with reference to Northern Massachusetts have been removed from the collection and sent to Sophia Smith Collection, Smith College:
- Histories, 1933-1945, 1934-1959, 1945-1947, 1947-1949, 1949-1951
- Historians' reports: 1953/1954 - 1965/1966, 1966/1967 - 1971/1972, 1972/1973 - 1973/1974
- 1962/1963 - 1963/1964: Newsletters, Newsclippings, Membership directory (1962/1963 only), Outline for study group on the American college, Ditto letter re pending education bills in state legislature
- 1964/1965 - 1966/1967: newsclippings; newsletters
- 1967/1968 - 1969/1970: Newsletters, Newsclippings, Membership directory, 1969/1970, Postcard from Florence Conlon, Leaflet on water pollution
- 1970/1971 - 1971/1972: newsletters; newsclippings; membership directories
- 1972/1973 - 1973/1974: newsletters; newsclippings; membership directories; "The Northern Massachusetts Branch of the AAUW in Earlier Days," 2 p. ts.
- 1975/1976: newsletters
The following items with reference to SPRINGFIELD, GREATER (organized 1969/1970) have been removed from the collection and sent to Sophia Smith Collection, Smith College:
- Minutes of meetings, September - November 1971, March, May 1972. Also, letter re donations, June 1972
The following items with reference to STERLING (organized 1968/1969) have been removed from the collection and sent to Sophia Smith Collection, Smith College:
- Newsletters, programs, historians' reports, 1968-1976. Minutes of May 10, 1971 meeting; list of activities, 1974/1975
The following items with reference to TAUNTON (organized c.1902 as Taunton College Club; became AAUW branch in 1933) have been removed from the collection and sent to Wheaton College Archives, Norton:
- Histories, 1902-1945, 1945-1947, 1947-1949
- Historians' reports, 1949/1950 - 1966/1967
- Programs, 1962/1963, 1966/1967
- Historians' reports and programs, 1967/1968 - 1975/1976
- Membership directory, 1975/1976
- Newsletters, 1975-1976
The following items with reference to WEBSTER AREA (organized 1957/1958 as Oxford-Dudley Area; name changed to Webster Area c.1966) have been removed from the collection and sent to Sophia Smith Collection, Smith College:
- Historians' reports, programs, newsletters, 1957/1958 - 1965/1966
- Report on college mixer, December 21, 1961
- Meeting announcements, 1962, 1963/1964
- Membership directories, 1961/1962, 1965/1966
- Letter and postcard, 1961/1962
- Historians' reports, programs, newsletters, newsclippings, 1966/1967 - 1973-1974
- Membership directories, 1966/1967, 1968/1969 - 1972/1973
- "Summary of Czechoslovakia Situation."
The following items with reference to WORCESTER (organized 1897 as Worcester College Club; became AAUW branch in 1926) have been removed from the collection and sent to Sophia Smith Collection, Smith College:
- Histories: 1897-1945, 1945-1947, 1948-1950
- Historians' reports, 1950/1951 - 1967/1968
- Yearbooks, including membership, programs, officers: 1951/1952, 1952/1953, 1961/1962, 1962/1963
- Yearbooks, 1963/1964 - 1971/1972, 1974/1975
- Newsletters, 1963-1976 (scattered)
- Newsclippings, 1952, c.1967/1968
- Minutes, 1964/1965 - 1966/1967
- Minutes, 1967/1968 - September 1969.
- Newsclippings about members, articles by members, 1965-1967
- Typescript appreciation of Ruth Frost by Harriet Roe, Fall 1966
- 2 letters to Writers Group, 1965, n.d.
- List of members' articles which appeared in Feature Parade section of Worcester Sunday Telegram [Oversize scrapbook containing articles returned to branch]
- Newsclippings and miscellaneous papers in scrapbook microfilmed, end of reel 106.
CONTAINER LIST
- Box 1: IA.1-IA.26
- Box 2: IA.27-IA.44, IB.1-IB.3
- Box 3: IB.4-IB.25
- Box 4: IIA.1, IIA.8 - IIA.9, IIA.12, IIA.28, IIA.41 - IIA.42, IIA.44
Processing Information
Processed: April 1978; updated February 2010
By: Katherine Gray Kraft
Subject
- Title
- American Association of University Women. Massachusetts State Division. Records of the Massachusetts State Division of the American Association of University Women, 1930-1976: A Finding Aid
- Author
- Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America
- Language of description
- eng
- Sponsor
- The collection was processed with funds provided by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
- EAD ID
- sch00727
Repository Details
Part of the Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute Repository
The preeminent research library on the history of women in the United States, the Schlesinger Library documents women's lives from the past and present for the future. In addition to its traditional strengths in the history of feminisms, women’s health, and women’s activism, the Schlesinger collections document the intersectional workings of race and ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and class in American history.