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Finding Aid

University Women's Club

UM-75

Size: 2.5 linear feet

Provenance: Dorothy Williamson, Jimmie Edwards

Access: Open

Related Collections:  

Processing Note:

Condition: Good; Scrapbooks in fragile condition

Copyright: The literary rights to this collection are assumed to rest with the person(s) responsible for the production of the particular items within the collection, or with their heirs or assigns.  Researchers bear full legal responsibility for the acquisition to publish from any part of said collection per Title 17, United States Code.  The Ward M. Canaday Center for Special Collections may reserve the right to intervene as intermediary at its own discretion.

Completed by: Samantha Watson, 5/2/2012; revised and expanded by Sara Mouch, 12/29/2015

Historical Sketch

The University Women’s Club was established in 1921 as the Faculty Dames of the University of Toledo.  An organization originally comprised of the wives of university administrators and faculty, its objective was to serve both philanthropic and social functions.  In order to fulfill its goal “to further a spirit of friendliness, to promote the social and intellectual interests of its members, and to maintain a loan fund for University of Toledo undergraduate women” the club met monthly, either on campus or in the home of one of the members.  Structured into two parts, the Business part of the meetings dealt with minutes, reports, and motions whereas the Program included book reviews and readings, musical performances, discussion of current events, and other social activities. 

In 1923, the Dames were invited to join the Toledo Federation of Women’s Clubs, and by 1924 they had expanded their membership from the wives and mothers of professors and female instructors to that of full-time instructors and other staff.  The Loan Fund was established in 1922 to assist female students with books and supplies and in 1926 the Dames added charity work to their philanthropy.  

Despite considering disbanding in 1927, the Faculty Dames of the University of Toledo continued their work for the next few decades, hosting teas, holiday fairs, and other fundraising events.  The club changed its name to the University Women’s Club in 1956, but their objective stayed the same as a social and philanthropic club. 

Although there is no evidence that the club is active today (with materials relevant to the activities of the club ending in 1996), a scholarship for female students of nontraditional student age has been established in the club’s name.

Scope and Content Note

This collection consists of administrative records of the University Women’s Club and its predecessor, the University Faculty Dames. The collection is arranged alphabetically by record type.

Of special note is a complete set of minutes dating from the founding of the club in 1921 to 1990 as well as a significant number of newsletter (indicating club activities each month) and yearbooks (listing members and activities each year). There is also an extensive collection of photographs. Two volumes of scrapbooks have been placed in acid-free boxes (3 & 4).

The collection includes both material collected in University Archives’ vertical files over the years as well as material transferred to the archives by Jane Sheridan in 1992.