Ontario Business and Professional Women's Club Collection
Finding aid created by Ontario City Library, Robert E. Ellingwood Model Colony History Room staff using RecordEXPRESS
Ontario City Library, Robert E. Ellingwood Model Colony History Room
2024
215 East "C" Street
Ontario, California 91764-4111
(909) 395-2206
localhistory@ontarioca.gov
https://www.ontarioca.gov/LibraryEvents
Title: Ontario Business and Professional Women's Club Collection
Dates: 1928-1984
Collection Number: Consult library
Creator/Collector:
Ontario Business and Professional Women's Club
Extent: 9 linear feet
Repository:
Ontario City Library, Robert E. Ellingwood Model Colony History Room
Ontario, California 91764-4111
Abstract: The Ontario Business and Professional Women's Club Collection consists primarily of scrapbooks created by the club as well
as correspondence and club directories.
Language of Material: English
Collection is open for research during the operating hours of the Robert E. Ellingwood Model Colony History Room, or by appointment.
Collection is open for research.
[Identification of item]. Ontario Business and Professional Women's Club Collection. Collection Number: Consult library. Ontario
City Library, Robert E. Ellingwood Model Colony History Room
Donated by the Business and Professional Women's Club in 1976; Additional materials acquired from former members Celesta Walters
in 1989 and LaVaughn Moberley in 1992.
Biography/Administrative History
In 1923, five young businesswomen started a Business Women’s Club to promote “the civic, social advancement of women in general
and club members in particular.” Through monthly lunch and then dinner meetings, businesswomen networked and provided support
for local charities and college students through scholarships and fundraisers. Each year the club sponsored a “Work Observation
Day” in which local business students visited local businesses; a
forerunner to “take your child to work day.” The club also adopted a Belgian war orphan in the 1940’s and distributed 4000
leaflets on survival under atomic attack. As a subsection of the club, the Lois LeBaron Avery Toastmistress group also had
programs and meetings that are included in this collection. LaVaughn Moberly, a
local beautician, was very active in the BPW during the 1950’s and 1960’s and a portion of her correspondence is included.
By the 1990’s the club was no longer in existence. The Foothill Valley Business & Professional Women was the surviving club,
meeting in Upland, California.
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection consists of scrapbooks, club directories, newspaper clippings, meeting minutes, club yearbooks, and correspondence.
Also included is a collection of thimbles acquired by the club.
Ontario Business and Professional Women's Club
Ontario (Calif.)