Manuscripts Collection
The Minnesota division of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) was officially established in 1923, but had its origins in the Minnesota Branch of the American Association of Collegiate Alumnae, founded in 1889 to "unite alumnae of different institutions for practical education work." After a period of dwindling activity in the early 1900s, the group reorganized in 1905 as the Minneapolis College Club. Duluth and St. Paul branches were organized soon afterwards, in 1909. In 1921, the AAUW was formed by a merger of the Western Association of Collegiate Alumnae, the American Association of Collegiate Alumnae, and the Southern Association of University Women. The Minnesota Division was established two years later, and the Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, and other college clubs across Minnesota all became local branches.
In addition to promoting and supporting democratic educational opportunities, the organization has also worked on a wide range of other issues relevant to its mission of equity for women, education and self-development over the life-span, and positive societal change. Over the years, Minnesota AAUW's legislative agenda has included education, sex discrimination, civil rights, reproductive choice, affirmative action, Title IX, welfare reform, vocational education, pay equity, family and medical leave, and health care reform.
Correspondence, minutes, financial data, scrapbooks of clippings and ephemera, reports, notes, and membership records of the Minnesota state division and local branches of a national organization for college-educated women founded in 1881 to promote equity for all women and girls, lifelong education, and positive societal change. Divisional papers also include information on fellowships, committee reports, subject files, and historical material.
Also included are minutes, financial data, studies, and scrapbooks of the St. Paul College Club, which was organized in 1909 and affiliated with the American Collegiate Alumnae and later became the St. Paul branch of the American Association of University Women. Other branches represented fairly extensively include 3M Center, Crookston and Silver Bay.
These documents are organized into the following sections:
Scrapbook volumes 1-38, 1928-1981 (M429): Saint Paul, Minnesota : Minnesota Historical Society, 1981, 1986.
1946-1981 scrapbook originals that were microfilmed were disposed of.
Microfilm is available for sale or interlibrary loan from the Minnesota Historical Society.
Accession numbers: 3673; 3674; 4226; 4883; 4885; 5098; 5303; 5308; 5449; 5802; 5809; 6565; 6820; 7461; 7711; 8027; 8170; 8318; 8415; 8659; 8887; 9079; 9539; 10,385; 12,933; 13,053; 13,754; 14,089; 14,528; 15,379; 15,535; 15,734; 15,766; 16,303.
Processing and cataloging of this collection was supported with a Basic Project
grant awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission
Processed by: Lara D. Friedman-Shedlov, April 2001, with additions by Meagan Kellom, May 2011.
Catalog ID number: 001717625
Roster of members considered to be candidates for local, state, and national positions within the organization, organized by city of residence. Data for each individual includes name, address, occupation, date of birth, religious preference, political preference, education and training, positions held in AAUW and other organizations, areas of interest, and other comments.
Includes brief history of this predecessor organization, which merged with other alumnae groups in 1921 to become the American Association of Alumnae Women.
Minutes and program from the conference at which the Minnesota Division of AAUW was organized.
Includes annual meeting minutes only for the years 1925, 1927-1929.
News notes sent by the division president to branch officers.
Conventions were biennial through 1935.
Includes a history of the organization from 1923-1953 written by Vera Hanawalt Frohlicher, and supplemental volumes for each decade up to 2003. Also includes histories of predecessor groups dating back to 1889.
Files of several directors of the division, primarily Barbara Halweg, Kay Cooper, and Jane Maddy.
The Minnesota division scrapbooks were completed by the state publicity chairperson from materials supplied by the AAUW's national headquarters and from state and local sources. The volumes document the activities of the state organization and the local chapters of the Minnesota division of AAU, and also provide information on local history and community events.
Scrapbooks for the period from 1956 to 1966 contain only newspaper clippings; those from 1946 to 1956 and 1966 to 1981 contain additional material, including leaflets, flyers, correspondence and reports, circular letters, news releases, and photographs. The scrapbook material and heritage and history files include division and branch directories, annual branch history reports, news clippings, program flyers, photographs, and related materials.
Includes primarily press releases and correspondence.
Within each scrapbook, materials are arranged in alphabetical order by branch location.
Material apparently removed from scrapbooks by the donor, including news clippings, program flyers, branch and division directories, photographs, and other historical material. Many items still retain the residue of the adhesive that was used to stick them in the scrapbooks and are now stuck to each other.
Scrapbook-like compilations of historical material (similar to that included in the scrapbook material above), arranged in alphabetical order by branch location.
Various reports submitted by the branches to the Minnesota Division.
Historical data compiled by branch historians and reported to the division. Data varies throughout the years, but may include roster of officers; summaries of meetings and work accomplished by the branch for each year; lists of speakers and entertainment hosted by the branch; the number and status of members; and summary financial data.
Narrative branch histories written at various different years, arranged alphabetically by branch location.
Reports submitted annually to the division by each branch with statistics on the number and status of members, and the methods used for recruiting new members.
Reports submitted annually to the division by each branch outlining the activities of the branch's legislative committee, including the composition of the legislative committee, the branch's legislative priorities, and relevant program activities.
Reports outlining the programs by the branch during the past year and their success.
Newsletters, directories, reports, minutes, and other records of Minnesota branches of the AAUW, arranged alphabetically by branch location. The collection includes only a scattering of records for most branches, but fairly extensive series for 3M Center, Crookston, St. Paul, and Silver Bay. Newsletters, directories, and other publications of many of the local branches are separately cataloged.
Includes rosters of officers and committee chairmen, reports, clippings, correspondence, and other miscellany. Also includes 7 photographs from the Minnesota state convention, held in Albert Lea in 1997.
The Aurora-Hoyt Lakes branch was disbanded in 1988.
The Blue Earth Area branch was disbanded in 1984.
The Canby branch was disbanded in 1985.
The Chisago Area branch was disbanded in 1984.
The Cloquet Area branch was disbanded in 1989.
The LeSueur branch was disbanded in 1986.
Includes photographs.
The Mora Area branch was disbanded in 1990.
The Pipestone branch was disbanded in 1990.
Includes records from the St. Paul College Club, which became the St. Paul branch of the AAUW in 1921 (though it was still known as the St. Paul College Club). Scrapbooks are available on microfilm.
Includes 3 volumes.
Includes history, minutes, and news clippings.
The creation of this book was organized by the national AAUW to commemorate the founding of its new headquarters in Washington D. C.
Arranged chronologically. Volumes 1-4 contain personal name indexes.
The Silver Bay branch was disbanded in 1986.
The Waseca branch was disbanded in 1986.
The Windom Area branch was disbanded in 1984.