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American Association of University Women Portland Branch records, 1906-2023

Overview of the Collection

Creator
American Association of University Women. Portland (Or.) Branch
Title
American Association of University Women Portland Branch records
Dates
1906-2023 (inclusive)
Quantity
14.5 cubic feet, (10 record cartons; 5 letter document cases; 2 legal document cases; 2 slim letter document cases; 2 flat boxes (11x14); 1 flat box (13x16))
1 gigabytes, (1,933 digital files)
Collection Number
Mss 2964
Summary
Records and memorabilia of the Portland, Oregon, branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), as well as records of its parent organizations, AAUW of Oregon and the national AAUW. The AAUW Portland Branch was founded in 1905, and throughout its history has advocated for women's college education and equitable treatment.
Repository
Oregon Historical Society Research Library
1200 SW Park Avenue
Portland, OR
97205
Telephone: 503-306-5240
Fax: 503-219-2040
libreference@ohs.org
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Additional Reference Guides

An index to digital files for this collection is located in Box 15, Folder 7.

Languages
English
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Historical Note

The Portland, Oregon, branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW; initially named Association of Collegiate Alumnae) was founded in 1905 by Elizabeth C. Chapman Donald. Throughout its history, the branch has raised funds for scholarships and fellowships for women, and has advocated for women's education and equity.

In 1918, the branch was one of several women's organizations that raised funds to found the Waverly Baby Home. In the 1930s, the branch offered a "Free Time School" for young women who were unable to attend college. During World War II, its members helped found and staff a "baby lounge" at Union Station where parents who were traveling with young children could rest and see to their children's needs while waiting between trains; it was one of four such facilities in the U.S. Starting in 1954, the branch published a catalog of local nurseries, daycares, and kindergartens. In the 1950s, branch president Marion Stearns advocated for the establishment of an educational television station in Portland, culminating in legislation to fund the Oregon Public Broadcasting System in 1959. In 1973, the branch published a book about Oregon history, "Land of the Multnomahs," as a fundraiser for fellowship programs.

Sources: Articles in the Oregonian and Oregon Journal, 1944-1980; "Women of This World: Portland, Oregon, Branch American Association of University Women, 1905-1979," by Lynn Jordan, 1980.

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Content Description

The collection consists of the records of the Portland, Oregon, branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). In addition to administrative records, the collection includes memorabilia in the form of scrapbook pages with newspaper clippings, photographs, and ephemera; newsletters; materials relating to the branch's history and individual members; and materials relating to the branch's activities, including its scholarships and fellowships, its operation of a "baby lounge" during World War II, and anniversary celebrations.

The collection also contains records of the branch's parent organizations, the AAUW of Oregon and the national AAUW. The AAUW of Oregon's records include convention programs and bound volumes of policies, minutes, and newsletters. The national AAUW records include correspondence sent to the Portland Branch, and reports published by the organization, particularly by its Educational Foundation.

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Use of the Collection

Preferred Citation

American Association of University Women Portland Branch records, Mss 2964, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

Restrictions on Use

The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Collection is arranged in six series:

  • Series 1: Administrative records
  • Series 2: Compiled records and memorabilia
  • Series 3: Special projects and activism
  • Series 4: Event records and memorabilia
  • Series 5: Newsletters
  • Series 6: Parent organization records and memorabilia

Acquisition Information

Gifts of the American Association of University Women Portland Branch made from 1992 to 2023 (Lib. Acc. 20793; Lib. Acc. 22691; Lib. Acc. 26576; Lib. Acc. 27553; RL2022-154; RL2023-039).

Preservation Note

Access to audio and video materials and to digital files on CDs requires specialized equipment. Access to digital materials not on CD in the collection is provided only by advance request, and is limited to viewing in the library. Contact library staff for assistance.

Processing Note

The collection was initially processed in either the late 1990s or early 2000s, with additions processed in 2015 and early 2016 by Sue Armitage and Jeffrey A. Hayes. Hayes reprocessed the collection in 2023 to integrate further additions, at which time some rehousing and rearrangement was done, audiovisual media that had previously been separated was reintegrated into the collection, and the collection description was revised to reflect these additions and changes. Titles for audio tapes and VHS tapes are based on their labels, and their contents have not been verified. Digital files were retained in the same order as they were in at time of donation.

Related Materials

Additional materials at the Oregon Historical Society Research Library relating to the American Association of University Women Portland Branch are in the vertical file, Clubs - Women's Clubs.

Separated Materials

The bulk of photographs from Lib. Acc. 20793 and Lib. Acc. 26576 were processed as the American Association of University Women Portland Branch photographs, Org. Lot 1360, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Clubs--Oregon--Portland
  • Women--Education--Oregon--Portland
  • Women--Oregon--Portland--Societies and clubs

Corporate Names

  • American Association of University Women. Oregon Division--Records and correspondence
  • American Association of University Women. Portland (Or.) Branch--Records and correspondence
  • American Association of University Women--Records and correspondence

Form or Genre Terms

  • administrative records
  • correspondence
  • newsletters
  • scrapbooks

Other Creators

  • Corporate Names

    • American Association of University Women (creator)
    • American Association of University Women. Oregon Division (creator)

Susan Armitage, Shawna Gandy, and Jeffrey A. Hayes; revised by Jeffrey A. Hayes
2016; revised 2023

CC0

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