The Mobilized Women of Berkeley records, 1917-1969, includes meeting minutes that serve as a record for the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors, general monthly meetings, bi-monthly luncheons, and annual meetings. They consist of attendance logs, address lists for members and officers, as well as attachments relating to agenda items such as bylaws, correspondence, reports, and income and disbursement records. There is also a cash journal with entries dating from 1918 to 1921. The collection includes publicity scrapbooks, spanning the years from 1917 to 1969. They document the organization's war work, community service activities, and social functions. They consist of newspaper releases, correspondence, photographs, event programs, articles, announcements, and miscellany.

During World War I, hundreds of Berkeley women met in May 1917 to "mobilize" for the war effort. They named their group the Mobilized Women's Organizations of Berkeley. The women formed their own army by inaugurating the block system where they divided neighborhoods into sections, each containing several blocks that were assigned to members for donation solicitations. They conducted many successful drives for food conservation, liberty bonds, and the Red Cross. Most significantly, they developed a program to reclaim waste. They gathered newspapers, magazines, clothing, furniture, and other salvaged materials that could be cleaned and repaired to be made useful again. The organization was able to remain self-sustaining through the sales of these items in their thrift stores and other fund raising activities.

Number of containers: 1 carton, 1 box, 1 oversize box, 4 volumes Linear feet: 2.25

Copyright has not been assigned to The Bancroft Library. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Public Services. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Bancroft Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

Collection is open for research.