Ohio University Women's Club records
Scope and Content
The Ohio University Women's Club records span from 1936 to 1994 and document the activities of this social club created for women connected to Ohio University. The collection includes the constitution, printed event programs, correspondence, committee meeting minutes, year-end reports, newsletters, press releases and scrapbooks.
Dates
- Creation: 1936-1994
Language of Materials
The records are in English.
History of The Faculty Wives Club
The Faculty Wives Club (FWC) of Ohio University was formed in the fall of 1936, with Mrs. E.B. Smith as acting president of the group. Mrs. Herman G. James was named honorary president, thus starting the tradition of giving that title to the wife of the current president of the university. At the suggestion of Elizabeth Baker, the group founded the Newcomers Club in 1947. Operating separately within the FWC, the group provided guidance, opportunities to socialize and make new friends, and an informational booklet about Ohio University and the surrounding community for wives or female faculty who were in their first or second year of residency in Athens.
Initially, membership in the FWC was limited to "wives of faculty members of Ohio University, active, retired, or deceased." Within the FWC existed the Dames Club and the Newcomers Club (NC). The NC was open to wives who had been in residence for less than two years.
During the 1964-1965 school year, the definition of the FWC was extended to include the wives of administrative officers and those of members of the O.U. Board of Trustees, but it was not until the early 1970s-nearly 40 years after the club's founding-that membership was open to not only wives, but to female faculty, administrators, and Board of Trustees members. It was at this time that the group changed its name to the Ohio University Women's Club (OUWC), the name it still goes as of 2009.
Both the FWC and OUWC have provided members with the opportunity to take day trips, experience other cultures, and socialize in a variety of settings. However, it has served not only its own interest, but the needs of others as well. Charitable undertakings such as their work with veterans' hospitals have provided the women of Ohio University with opportunities to impact the lives of those both within and beyond the local community.
Extent
3.5 cubic feet (6 Hollinger boxes, 1 flat box)
Abstract
The Ohio University Women's Club records span from 1936 to 1994 and document the activities of this social club created for women connected to Ohio University.
Statement of Arrangement
This collection remains in its original arrangement.
Description Note
Original, legacy collection inventories may contain inaccuracies or be incomplete. Collection descriptions may change or be updated as they are verified. Please contact Mahn Center staff if you note any errors or discrepancies.
Subject
- Ohio University Women's Club (Organization)
Genre / Form
Topical
- Title
- Finding aid for the Ohio University Women's Club records
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Ohio University Archives Staff
- Date
- 2020
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English
- Sponsor
- The finding aid was converted into EAD with funding support from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Revision Statements
- 5 January 2024: Subjects and other notes added from ALICE MARC records and Mahn Center Microsoft Office finding aids by Ohio University Libraries Metadata Services Department Python scripts.
Repository Details
Part of the Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections Repository