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

Cage 627
Washington State University Women's Club
Papers, 1913-1995

The WSU Women's Club of Pullman, Washington, donated its records to the Washington State University Libraries in several installments from 1981 through 1994 (accessions MS81-25, MS85-35, MS86-29, and MS94-49. Jean Johnson processed the collection in September 1995. In March 1996 a further accession (MS96-16) was made, and at the same time the early minute books of the organization were relocated from the University Publications section of Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, where they had been long held. This further material was amalgamated into the records by Lawrence Stark, April, 1996.

ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY

The Washington State University Women's Club was started by Hattie Bryan in 1913 under the title of the Matron's Club. In 1951, the group changed its name to the Women's Faculty Club. Again, in 1969, the group revised its title to the Washington State University Women's Club.

The purpose of the organization was to cultivate friendship among women in the university community as well as to welcome newly arrived women into their social network. In 1913 when the Matron's Club was begun it was the only social club for State College women outside of those sponsored by churches. For many years, the organization consisted of women whose husbands were on the faculty of the State College. Later women on the faculty also entered the organization, and ultimately the scope became women who worked for the Washington State University, or who had a spouse who was a university employee. Throughout, the purpose of the organization remained friendship. This objective was achieved by group dinners and other social events.

During the 1970s in response to the changing roles of women in society, the club adopted an "interest group" format that broadened the club's scope of activities beyond that of afternoon teas and formal dinner/dances.

Historical sketches of the organization are found in the records among documents concerning the 75th anniversary of the club and in a historical file.

ARRANGEMENT AND DESCRIPTION

The collection consists of business records, newsletters, and publicity materials relevant to the workings of the WSU Women's Club. The bulk of the material is from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, although the minute books are complete from 1913 forward.

The records are organized as alphabetical subject files. This practice reflects original order, to some extent, although much loose material was interfiled into the system by the Libraries. The filing remain informal.

A large number of duplicate items were discarded at the Libraries. These were of duplicated and photocopies documents, of which copies appeared in multiple folders. Some multiple copies remain.

CONTAINER LIST