Guide to the Young Women's Christian Association Records 1906-1980
Cage 541

Summary Information

Repository
Washington State University Libraries, Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Creator
Young Women's Christian Association
Title
Young Women's Christian Association Records
ID
Cage 541
Date [inclusive]
1906-1980
Extent
7 containers., 3 linear feet of shelf space.
Language
Collection materials are in English.
Abstract
Chiefly advisory board and cabinet minutes. Also includes business records, correspondence, miscellanea, newspapers, and project files.

Preferred Citation

[Item Description]. Cage 541, Young Women's Christian Association Records. Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.

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Biography/History

The YWCA of Washington State College was established in 1895. It provided the women of the college a place to worship, held bible classes, and located housing and employment. It also served as a social organization that participated with the YMCA of Washington State College. A popular social event in the 1910s-1930s were the conferences held at Seabeck, Washington. Topics at Seabeck focused on issues of the YWCA and the YMCA of the Pacific Northwest.

During the 1940s, the chapter concentrated on global issues; the YWCA had plans to send care packages overseas, although the lack of funds prohibited such action. In the 1950's and 1960's the organization studied politics and world relations, presenting programs on various subjects including the war in Vietnam and the democratic system. In 1969 the YWCA adopted the imperative of "the elimination of racism." During the 1970's and the 1980's the YWCA offered more projects on cultural awareness in the United States.

Membership grew steadily throughout the years, peaking in 1954 with 711 members. By 1972 the membership had dropped to 219 members. The student body provided sole support for the YWCA until 1917 when the University partially funded the secretary's position. Other assistance came from the Helen A. Fuller Endowment Fund, established by Fuller in 1929. Presently, the United Way provides 75% of the YWCA's budget.

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Arrangement

These records are organized into six series: Business, Correspondence, Financial, Miscellaneous, Newspapers, Projects. All papers are arranged chronologically within each series. The bulk of material centers on the minutes and annual reports.

The Business series contains the advisory board and cabinet minutes, and the annual reports. The annual reports discussed points that were significant to that year, (i.e. 1931- the Brides Parade and the Helen A. Fuller Endowment fund).

The Correspondence series contains letters concerning wages for employees and hiring requirements, letters from politicians, letters from President Holland, National Board announcements, personal letters and letters on the YWCA-YMCA split.

The Financial series contains annual reports and fund raising outcomes.

The Miscellaneous series contains information on the Business Committee, the Constitutions and By-Laws, Membership Lists, and national and local chapter descriptions.

The Newspaper series encompasses articles from 1913 to 1964, primarily from The Evergreen.

The Project series includes information on the programs established from 1973 to 1980, as well as information on the YWCA Centennial, conferences, political discussions the Student Christian Movement, and the Summer Migration Project.

Box #7 is the oversize box.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections  © 2012

http://www.libraries.wsu.edu/masc/

Terrell Library

P.O. Box 645610

Pullman, WA, 99164-5610 USA

509-335-6691

mascref@wsu.edu

Restrictions on Access

This collection is open for research use.

Acquisition Information

The records of the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) were gifted to the Washington State University Libraries in May of 1987.

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Names and Subjects

Corporate Name(s)

Creator(s) :
  • Young Women's Christian Association (Pullman, Wash.) --Archives

Subject(s)

  • Social service--Societies, etc.--Washington (State)--Pullman--Records and correspondence
  • Women
  • Washington (State)

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Detailed Description of Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

Series 1: Business 

Annual Reports 

box folder

 1911-1918 

1 1

 1919-1927 

1 2

 1928-1932 

1 3

 1933-1950 

1 4

 1952-1973 

1 5

Minutes 

Advisory Board 

box folder

 1908-1915 

1 6

 1916-1924 

1 7

 1925-1937 

1 8

 1938-1949 

1 9

 1950-1955 

2 1

 1956-1971 

2 2

Cabinet 

box folder

 1906-1911 

2 3

 1912-1915 

2 4

 1916-1918 

2 5

 1919-1920 

2 6

 1921-1925 

2 7

 1926-1928 

3 1

 1929-1935 

3 2

 1936-1945 

3 3

 1946-1947 

3 4

 1948-1950 

3 5

 1951-1952 

3 6

 1953-1954 

3 7

 1955-1961 

3 8

 1962-1964 

4 1

 1965-1967 

4 2

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Series 2: Correspondence 

box folder

Employment, Hiring, Resignation,Salary 

4 3

Letters from Politicians 1931-1933 

4 4

Letters to and from President Holland 1917-1939 

4 5

Miscellaneous 1914-1971 

4 6

National Student Board 1916-1928 

4 7

Personal 1933-1969 

4 8

YWCA-YMCA Split 1928 

4 9

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Series 3: Finances 

box folder

Annual Reports 1909-1980 

4 10

Budgetary Definitions and Allotments 1916-1948 

4 11

Fund Raisers: Christmas Mart 1926-1947 

4 12

Fund Raisers: International Festival 1926-1947 

4 13

Helen A. Fuller Endowment Fund 1928-1958 

4 14

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Series 4: Miscellanea 

box folder

Building Committee/Student Council 1947-1975 

5 1

Constitutions/By-Laws (undated) 

5 2

Membership Lists 1916-1973 

5 3

Miscellaneous: Play, Article 1910-1929 

5 4

National/Local YWCA History 1916-1973 

5 5

Propaganda 1928-1936 

5 6

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Series 5: Newspapers Clippings 

box folder

 1930 

5 7

 1941-1942 

5 8

 1959-1963 

5 9

 1963-1964 

5 10

Miscellaneous  1940-1956 

5 11

Popcorn Forum  1965-1966 

5 12

 1911 1918-1919 

6 1

 1937 

6 2

 1945 

6 3

 1947 

6 4

 1951-1952 1957 

6 5

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Series 6: Projects 

box folder

Centennial 1955 

7 1

Conferences 1931-1964 

7 2

Day Care 1952-1956 

7 3

Objective, Goals, Programs of the YWCA 1946-1979 

7 4

Political Thought 1966 

7 5

Summer Migrant Project 1964 

7 6

Women's Resource Guide 1980 

7 7

Worship-Religious Definitions 1931 undated 

7 8

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