Guide to the Mobilized Women of Berkeley Records, 1917-1969
Guide written by Janice Otani
Funding for processing this collection was provided by National Historical Records and Publications Commission
The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California, 94720-6000
Phone: (510) 642-6481
Fax: (510) 642-7589
Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/
© 2006
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Guide to the Mobilized Women of Berkeley Records, 1917-1969
Collection Number: BANC MSS 70/10 c
The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California
Funding for processing this collection was provided by National Historical Records and Publications Commission
- Guide Written By:
- Janice Otani
- Date Completed:
-
March 2006
© 2006 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Collection Summary
Collection Title: Mobilized Women of Berkeley records
Date (inclusive): 1917-1969
Collection Number: BANC MSS 70/10 c
Creators :
Mobilized Women of Berkeley
Extent:
Number of containers: 1 carton, 1 box, 1 oversize box, 4 volumes
Linear feet: 2.25
Repository: The Bancroft Library
Berkeley, California 94720-6000
Abstract: 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.
Languages Represented: Collection materials are in English.
Physical Location: Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information
on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
Information for Researchers
Access
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
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.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Mobilized Women of Berkeley Records, BANC MSS 70/10 c, The Bancroft Library, University of California,
Berkeley.
Alternate Forms Available
There are no alternate forms of this collection.
Related Collections
Certificate of Recognition of the Mobilized Women of Berkeley Articles of Incorporation, dated April 29, 1924; BANC MSS 92/900
c.
Photos from the Mobilized Women of Berkeley records, BANC PIC 1984.083-PIC.
Separated Material
Photographs have been transferred to the Pictorial Collections of The Bancroft Library (BANC PIC 1984.083-PIC).
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Charities--California--History-Sources.
Women--California--Societies and clubs.
Minutes.
Account books.
Scrapbooks.
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
The Mobilized Women of Berkeley Records were given to The Bancroft Library by Mrs. Joseph A. Pask on March 18, 1992.
Accruals
No additions are expected.
Processing Information
Processed by Janice Otani in 2005.
Organizational Information
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.
After the war, the organization renamed themselves the Mobilized Women of Berkeley (Moby). Their peace time program included
the continuing reclamation of waste with proceeds used to promote citizenship and meeting the social and financial needs of
the underpriviledged residents of Berkeley. The purpose of their "Americanization" work was to make better American citizens
of the native born and to bring American ideals and citizenship to the foreign born. They served as a welfare organization
cooperating with all agencies, primarily families needing assistance in West Berkeley. Some of the activities consisted of
classes in English, sewing and millinery, as well as interpreting services.
During World War II, the Mobilized Women of Berkeley coordinated with government agencies to conduct Red Cross shelter availability
surveys, identification tag registration and distribution, food rationing program, and the sale of war bonds and stamps.
In 1949, Moby established a community center at their headquarters on University Avenue that provided both adult and youth
activities, including recreation and camping programs, literacy school, and family rehabilitation and relief work. Through
the 1950s and 1960s, they continued with their welfare and community service work in West Berkeley. The women also hosted
numerous fund raising activities such as luncheons, teas, and fashion shows to support their wide range of projects.
In 1969, to commemorate their 50th anniversary, the Mobilized Women of Berkeley announced their retirement as an organization.
They concluded that their type of service to the community was no longer needed because more government agencies were available
to residents. At the same time, the Mobilzed Women of Berkeley decided to hand over the deed for their building to the East
Bay Association for Retarded Children (EBARC) because they wanted to give their facilities to another welfare organization
to carry on the old traditions in a new way. The disbanded organization formed an auxiliary to assist EBARC in the future.
This action disolved the oldest women's service organization in the East Bay.
Scope and Content of Collection
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.
Photographs have been transferred to the Pictorial Collections of The Bancroft Library (BANC PIC 1984.083--PIC). A related
document, the certificate of recognition of the Mobilized Women of Berkeley Articles of Incorporation, dated April 29, 1924,
is located at The Bancroft Library (BANC MSS 92/900 c).
SERIES 1
MEETING MINUTES AND RELATED MATERIALS
1917-1965
Physical Description:
Carton 1, Folders 1-25
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically. Further divided into three subseries: General, Executive Board, and Miscellaneous.
Scope and Content Note
Contains meeting minutes for general monthly meetings, annual meetings, the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors, and
bi-monthly luncheons. Consists of attendance logs, address lists for members and officers, bylaws, correspondence, reports,
income and disbursement records, and a cash journal.
Carton 1, Folder 1
Meeting minutes and organization materials
1917 May 9- 1919 Jan 9
Carton 1, Folder 2
Meeting minutes and organization materials
1919 Oct 13- 1921 Apr 20
Carton 1, Folder 3
Meeting minutes and organization materials
1921 May 18- 1924 Apr 16
Carton 1, Folder 4
Meeting minutes and organization materials
1924 May 7- 1928 Jan 18
Carton 1, Folder 5
Meeting minutes and organization materials
1928 Feb 18- 1932 Jan 20
Carton 1, Folder 6
Meeting minutes and organization materials
1932 Feb 17- 1937 Dec 14
Carton 1, Folder 7
Meeting minutes and organization materials
1938 Jan 19- 1942 Jan 21
Carton 1, Folder 8
Meeting minutes and organization materials
1942 Feb 18- 1943 Jan 20
Carton 1, Folder 9
Meeting minutes and organization materials
1943 Feb 17- 1944 Jan 19
Carton 1, Folder 10
Meeting minutes and organization materials
1944 Feb 16-Dec 20
Carton 1, Folder 11
Meeting minutes and organization materials
1945 Jan 17- 1947 Jan 21
Carton 1, Folder 12
Meeting minutes and organization materials
1950 Feb 15- 1951 Dec 19
Carton 1, Folder 13
Meeting minutes and organization materials
1952 Jan 16-Dec 3
Carton 1, Folder 14
Meeting minutes and organization materials
1953 Jan 21-Dec 2
Carton 1, Folder 15
Meeting minutes and organization materials
1954 Jan 6- Dec 1
Carton 1, Folder 16
Meeting minutes and organization materials
1955 Jan 19- 1957 Dec 15
Carton 1, Folder 17
Meeting minutes and organization materials
1958 Jan 15-1959 Apr
Carton 1, Folder 18
Meeting minutes and organization materials
1960 Jan 20- 1962 Dec 19
Carton 1, Folder 19
Meeting minutes and organization materials
1960 Jan 20-1965 Dec 16
Carton 1, Folder 20
Meeting minutes and organization materials
1963 Feb 20-1964 Dec 16
1.2
EXECUTIVE BOARD
1924-1959
Carton 1, Folder 21
Meeting minutes
1924 Sep 3-1932 Jan 6
Carton 1, Folder 22
Meeting minutes
1932 Jan 22-1940 Apr 3
Carton 1, Folder 23
Meeting minutes
1956 Jan 4-1959 Dec 16
1.3
MISCELLANEOUS
1918-1921,
1930,
1945
Carton 1, Folder 24
Correspondence and organization materials
1918,
1930,
1945
Carton 1, Folder 25
Cash journal
1918 Aug 1-1921 Jul 1
SERIES 2
PUBLICITY SCRAPBOOKS
1917-1969
Physical Description:
Box 1, Folders 1-11; Volumes 1-4
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Scope and Content Note
Contains newspaper releases, correspondence, photographs, programs, articles, announcements, cloth collection bag, and miscellany.
Box 1, Folder 11
Miscellaneous newsclippings
1921,
1967,
undated
Oversize Box 1
Cloth collection bag
undated
