American Association of University Women, Oberlin Branch Records, 1914-2012, n.d.
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Administrative/Biographical History
The Association of Collegiate Alumnae (ACA), the precursor to the American Association of University Women (AAUW), was founded in 1878. Three Oberlin alumnae were among its charter members. The Oberlin chapter was not formed until 1914, however. In 1921 the ACA changed its name to the American Association of University Women (AAUW), and in 1950 the group’s bylaws were changed so that members would be accepted regardless of race. The Oberlin ACA/AAUW sponsored community programs of an educational and cultural nature, held study groups on topics ranging from the preschool child to international relations, and supported the Cleveland Bureau of Occupations for Trained Women for a number of years. Four Oberlin members—Florence Fitch (1875-1959, A.B. 1897), Mary E. Sinclair (1878-1955, A.B. 1900), Hope Hibbard (1893-1988), and Susan P. Nichols (1873-1942)—received AAUW fellowships for international study.
Although the local chapter fostered the educational and vocational interests of the national organization, it also took up matters relating to the social and civic betterment of Oberlin. The local branch was officially disbanded in April 2012.
Forms of Material (links to similar genres) Administrative Information
The group is organized around twelve records series: Series 1. Constitutions and Bylaws; 2. Annual Reports and Financial Records; 3. Minutes; 4. Correspondence; 5. Membership; 6. History; 7. Program Booklets; 8. Publications; 9. Events/Special Projects; 10. Clippings; 11. National and State Publications; and 12. Certificates. Topics covered include national and state conventions, AAUW fellowships, the yearly tea for Oberlin College senior women, the moving-picture improvement campaign, vocational training, a night school in Oberlin, employment bureaus, moral conditions in Oberlin, town improvement and beautification, issues surrounding World Wars I and II, Red Cross work, and a variety of other issues of local, national, and organizational concern.
Sources Consulted
Roland M. Baumann, editor, Guide to the Women’s History Sources in the Oberlin College Archives (Oberlin, OH: Oberlin College, 1990).
INVENTORY
Series 1. Constitution and Bylaws
Box 1
Constitution and Bylaws, 1921-1981, n.d.
Proposed Bylaws, 2010
Branch Disbandment, 2012
Series 2. Annual Reports and Financial Records
Box 1 (cont.)
Annual Reports and Treasurer's Reports, 1931, 1933-1982, 1998-99, 2002-03 (9f)
Box 1A
Accounts Ledgers, 1954-55, 1971-72, 1973-ca. 1975, 1979-85, 1987-91 (7f)
Series 3. Minutes
Box 1 (cont.)
Meeting Minutes, 1914-1944/45 (6f)
Box 2
Meeting Minutes, 1945/46-1977/78 (12f)
Box 3
Meeting Minutes, 1982-88, 1992-96, 1999-2003 (3f)
Series 4. Correspondence
Box 3 (cont.)
Correspondence, 1915-1990, 1998-2012 (2f)
Series 5. Membership
Box 3 (cont.)
Membership, 1933-53, 1965, 1972-73, 1989, 1991, 1998-2011, n.d. (3f)
Series 6. History
Box 3 (cont.)
History, 1915-1993
Notes by Elizabeth Rumics and Clippings, 1932, 2004, n.d.
Series 7. Program Booklets
Box 4
Program Booklets, 1940/41-1959/60, 1961/62-1988/89, 1998/99-2008/09 (4f)
Series 8. Publications
Box 5
Oberlin Branch Newsletters, 1948-1996 (3f)
Series 9. Events/Special Projects
Box 5 (cont.)
Events, 1926, 1940, 1974-1995
AAUW Study Group, India, 1987-88
Camp Be Wise, 2007-08, 2010, n.d.
Reach for the Stars Program, 2003-06, 2008-2010
Educational Foundation, 2000, 2004, 2007-08
Miscellaneous Program Materials, 1997-2011
Series 10. Clippings
Box 5 (cont.)
Newspaper Clippings, 1950-1995, n.d.
Series 11. National and State Publications
Box 5 (cont.)
National and State Level Publications, 1915-1998
Series 12. Certificates
Box 5 (cont.)
Certificates of Recognition, 2000, 2002, 2008