Women in Communications, Inc. Records, 1925-1992

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Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections Pullman, WA 99164-5610 USA (509) 335-6691 Inquiries

Cage 626
Women in Communications, Inc.
Washington State University Chapter
Records, 1925-1992

The records of the Washington State University chapter of Women in Communications, Inc. were donated to the Libraries by the Department of Communications at Washington State University in 1994. Jean Johnson processed the collection in September, 1995.

Number of containers 9
Linear feet of shelf space 4

ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY

Theta Sigma Phi was a professional society for women in journalism started in 1909 by Georgina McDougall. The Alpha Zeta chapter affiliated with Washington State College was established in 1925, replacing the Scribbler's Club, a local group that also encouraged high standards in journalism for women. In 1972 the name of Theta Sigma Phi was changed to Women in Communications, Inc. (WICI) and at the same time the organization began accepting men into its membership. During the 1970s the organization languished, but in the early 1980s it was reactivated under the leadership of Professor Barbara Hanford.

Networking has been a major goal of the organization since its inception. Annual "Matrix Table" banquets that have brought in nationally recognized women in communications as speakers is one way Theta Sigma Phi and WICI have achieved this. Regional and national conferences have also been held regularly, and WSU students were frequent attendants at the regional meetings. In this way Women in Communications, Inc. has worked to establish links between students and professionals in the field.

ARRANGEMENT AND DESCRIPTION

The records consist of annual reports, financial reports, national convention materials, correspondence, and business reports related to annual banquets and fund raisers. The original chronological order of the collection has been preserved. Newsclippings and photographs are found throughout the records.

The collection is organized into two series: Theta Sigma Phi and Women In Communications, Inc. The Theta Sigma Phi series covers the period 1925 to 1971, and contains business records, correspondence, newsclippings, and miscellaneous historic materials. The Women in Communication, Inc. series spans 1972 to 1992, and contains records, correspondence, and published materials related to both local activities as well as regional and national meetings.

CONTAINER LIST

Box	Folder	Description
	Series 1: Theta Sigma Phi
1	1	Alpha Zeta Chapter Organization and Historic Materials, 1925-1932
		Business Records and Correspondence
	2	1947-1948
	3	1948-1949
	4	1949-1950
	5	1950-1951
	6	1951-1952
	7	1952-1953
	8	Secretary's Record, 1952-1963
		Business Records and Correspondence
	9	1953-1954
	10	1954-1955
	11	"Extras" Annual Variety Show, 1954-1969
		Business Records and Correspondence
	12	1955-1956
	13	1956-1957
2	14	Newsclippings, 1956-1957
	15	Business Records, Correspondence, Newsclippings, 1957-1958
	16	Woman of Achievement Awards, 1958-1965
	17	Board of Control, Minutes, Agendas, Miscellaneous Records, 1960-1963
	18	Finances, 1960-1969
	19	Matrix Table Banquet, 1961-1967
	20	Matrix: The Magazine for Women in Journalism and Communications, 1961-1968
	21	Membership, 1966-1971
	22	National Meeting, Agenda and Keynote Speech, 1967
	23	Bylaws, 1969, 1972

	Series 2: Women In Communications, Inc.
3	24	Activities, 1970-1979
	25	Finances, 1971-1973
	26	Correspondence, 1971-1977
	27	Membership, 1971-1977
	28	National Newsletters, 1972-1976
	29	Annual National Meeting, 1973
4	30	Advisor's Papers, 1973-1974
	31	Newsletters, Regional, 1973-1976
	32	Graduate Correspondence, 1973-1977
	33	Membership, 1973-1979
	34	Regional Conference, 1974
	35	Bylaws, 1974-1975
	36	Grants, Fellowships, Production Study, 1974-1976
	37	Matrix Table Banquet, 1974-1982
	38	National Reports, 1974-1977
5	39	Career Guidelines, 1974-1982
	40	Leadership Bulletins, 1974-1985
	41	Historical Information, 1976-1977
	42	Miscellaneous National Headquarters Materials, c.1980
	43	National and Regional Conferences and Communications, 1980-1985
	44	Business Records, 1981-1982
	45	Chapter Reactivation, 1981-1982
6	46	Membership, 1981-1982
	47	The Professional Communicator, 1981-1982
	48	Bylaws and Annual Reports, 1981-1984
	49	Newsletters, Minutes, and Miscellanea, 1981-1985
	50	Activities, 1981-1987
	51	Historical Summary, 1982
	52	Regional Conference, 1982
	53	Minutes, 1982-1983
	54	Membership, 1982-1985
7	55	Flyers and Brochures, 1982-1985
	56	Finances, 1982-1986
	57	Charlotte Friel Memorial Lecture, 1982-1988
	58	Miscellaneous Publications, 1983-1988
	59	Regional Conference and Miscellanea, 1983-1985
		General Records
	60	1985-1986
8	61	1986-1987
	62	1988-1989
	63	Finances, 1989-1990
		General Records
	64	1989-1990
	65	1990-1991
	66	1991-1992
9		Over-sized Scrapbook, Notebooks, and Miscellanea