Guide to the East Palo Alto Women's Club Records MSS.2010.02.08

Kimberly Koshiyama Edited by Lale Yasemin Kaya in August 2014
Added to ArchivesSpace by Lale Yasemin Kaya, August 2014.
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
2011
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
San José State University
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0028
special.collections@sjsu.edu


Language of Material: English
Contributing Institution: SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Title: East Palo Alto Women's Club Records
Identifier/Call Number: MSS.2010.02.08
Physical Description: 3.75 Linear Feet 3 boxes
Date (inclusive): 1917-1995
Date (bulk): bulk
Abstract: The East Palo Alto Women's Club Records consists of administrative records and artifacts documenting the club's activities from 1917-1995.
Language of Material: Languages represented in the collection: English

Access

The collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

Copyright has not been assigned to the San Jose State University Library Special Collections and Archives. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Special Collections and Archives 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. Copyright restrictions also apply to digital reproductions of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.

Preferred Citation

East Palo Alto Women's Club Records, MSS-2010-02-08, San Jose State University Library Special Collections and Archives.

Processing Information

Collection processed by Kimberly Koshiyama. EAD encoding by Kimberly Koshiyama.

Organizational History

The East Palo Alto Women's Club Records document the history and accomplishments of the organization from 1917-1995. Starting in 1893 as the Mother's Club, they formally incorporated on June 20, 1894 as the Woman's Club of Palo Alto with 24 members. The main objectives of the Club focused on self-improvement, mutual aide, and community work. During their formative years, club women played a significant role in city government through fund-raising efforts and demands for municipal services. Between the years 1893-1896, the club founded the first reading room and library in the city, and they contributed to the founding of the first elementary school. Prior to California women receiving the vote in 1911, Palo Alto Club women proposed two sewer bonds and they worked to beautify the city with trees. Following the suffrage victory, the Club expanded its membership and focused on civic and philanthropic activities, as well as organized a variety of educational and cultural events. The club provided a social outlet for club members through a variety of programs, including plays and musical celebrations. Today the club continues to provide leadership in philanthropy and is affiliated with the State and National Federation of Women's Clubs.

Scope and Contents

The East Palo Alto Women's Club Records consists of administrative records and artifacts documenting the club's activities from 1917-1995. The collection contents include standard organizational formats such as minute record books, community service records, the organization's constitutions and by-laws, district and state reports published between 1917-1995, scrapbooks and news clippings, and certificates and awards. In addition to the printed materials the collection includes a wooden gavel and a workable seal stamp used by the organization.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into one series I: Administrative Records and Artifacts, 1917-1995.

Bibliography

Please refer to The Woman's Club of Palo Alto's website.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Women -- Societies and clubs
Women's rights -- California -- San Francisco Bay Area
Women's rights -- United States -- History -- 20th century

 

Box 1: Administrative Records 1917-1991

 

Folders 1-2: Community service 1956-1958

 

Folder 3: Citizen of the year 1956-1958

 

Folder 4: Miscellaneous events 1956-1957

 

Folder 5-7: Pamphlets 1917-1962

 

Folder 8: Scrapbook/Newspaper clippings 1947-1956

 

Folder 9-12: Awards 1970-1982

 

Folder 13: Yearbooks 1952-1972

 

Folder 14: District/state reports on Americanism 1952-1972

 

Folder 15: GFWC Blueprint 1980-1982

 

Box 2: Constitutions, by-laws and meeting minutes 1922-1995

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

1 Box, 11 Folders
 

Folder 16-17: Constitutions and by-laws 1925-1970

 

Folder 18-26: Meeting minutes 1917-1971

 

Box 3: Gavel and Seal Stamp undated

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

1 Box