American Association of University Women (AAUW). Vancouver Branch: Records, 1931-2017
Content Description
The AAUW Vancouver Branch Collection includes meeting minutes, directories, scrapbooks, photographs, newsletters, various memorabilia and miscellaneous archives from its founding as a branch in 1931 to 2017. The collection includes both print and born digital materials on compact disc.
Dates
- 1931-2017
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research use.
Biographical / Historical
The American Association of University Woman (AAUW) was established in 1881 as a non-profit organization of college women serving to advance equity and education for women and girls. The AAUW provides guidance and examination on issues effecting women including education, social conditions, economics and politics.
The Vancouver Branch of AAUW began in 1931 in Vancouver, Washington at the outset of the Great Depression. The branch was initally a focal point for local women with a university education to discuss pressing interests of the day. The branch sponsored study groups and invited speakers to illuminate issues of national and international affairs, the status of women, public education, home economics and child welfare.
In later decades, the Vancouver Branch of AAUW turned attention toward advocating for social and racial justice, participated in the the civil rights movement, supported womens rights and equity in the workplace and the promotion of STEM related careers.
Today the Vancouver Branch of AAUW provides many programs for women that entail support for legal advocacy, leadership, critical social issues, fellowships, grants and awards. The branch serves a general purpose to promote lifelong education, community action, advocacy for gender equity, support for legislation on issues affecting women and children and to illuminate new opportunities for women.
Extent
14 Linear Feet (9 cartons of materials were donated. These have been reorganized by material type and re-boxed in document boxes and customized boxes, housed (as of 2018) in a storage cabinet in the WSU Vancouver Library conference room. The collection contains meeting minutes, scrapbooks and other records and memorabilia documenting activities of the American Association of University Woman (AAUW), Vancouver Branch. Materials are dated from 1931-2017.)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The collection contains meeting minutes, scrapbooks, directories, memorabilia, photographs and other records documenting the activities of the Vancouver, Washington branch of the American Association of University Woman (AAUW). Materials are dated from 1931-2017.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged by series based on material type. See the collection's container list for more details.
Series A: Scrapbooks: 1937-1999.
Series B: Membership Directories: 1934-1941; 1945-1970; 1980-2016.
Series C: Meeting Minutes: 1931-1959.
Series D: Photographs: Mostly dated from the 1990s and early 2000s. Includes individual members and group photographs taken at sponsored activities and events.
Series E: Branch Information: Administrative and organizational records, correspondence, meeting agendas and minutes, newsletters, surveys and reports. Most of the materials are dated from the 2000s.
Series F: World Affairs:
Series G: Membership Biographies: 1997; 2003-2005.
Series H: Realia: Promotional and event materials produced by the AAUW.
Series I: Miscellaneous Files: Newsletters, newspaper clippings and flyers.
Series J: Digital Records:
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection was donated to the WSU Vancouver Library, Archives and Special Collections by the Vancouver Branch of the AAUW under the association's president, Kathy Walker (2017).
Accruals
As stated in the deed of gift, it is the intention of the members of AAUW Vancouver Branch to continue depositing materials from the association in the coming years.
Physical Description
Some of the earliest scrapbooks (1937-1970) are in aging and fragile condition due to the nature of acidic material used in manufacturing scrapbooks. However, with the exception of one scrapbook, the binding and gaurds appear intact and there are only a few examples of loose pages. Access to some items could be limited.
Creator
- Title
- American Association of University Women (AAUW). Vancouver Branch: Records, 1931-2017
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Robert Schimelpfenig and Sara Schultz
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Washington State University Vancouver, Archives and Special Collections Repository