Guide to the Phyllis Wheatley Club of the East Bay Records
Mia Jaeggli
African American Museum & Library at Oakland
659 14th Street
Oakland, California 94612
Phone: (510) 637-0198
Fax: (510) 637-0204
Email: aamlo@oaklandlibrary.org
URL: http://www.oaklandlibrary.org/locations/african-american-museum-library-oakland
© 2013
African American Museum and Library at Oakland. All rights reserved.
Guide to the Guide to the Phyllis Wheatley Club of the East Bay Records
Collection number: MS 147
African American Museum & Library at Oakland
Oakland, California
- Processed by:
- Mia Jaeggli
- Date Completed:
- 1/30/2014
- Encoded by:
- Mia Jaeggli
© 2013 African American Museum & Library at Oakland. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Phyllis Wheatley Club of the East Bay records
Dates: 1935-1995
Collection number: MS 147
Creator:
Phyllis Wheatley Club of the East Bay
Collection Size:
2.5 linear feet
(3 boxes + 1 oversized)
Repository:
African American Museum & Library at Oakland (Oakland, Calif.)
Abstract: The Phyllis Wheatley Club of the East Bay Records include administrative records, correspondence, event invitations and programs.
Administrative records consist of the club’s constitution and by-laws, meeting minutes and notes, and financial ledgers.
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
Access
No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public.
Access Restrictions
Materials are for use in-library only, non-circulating.
Publication Rights
Permission to publish must be obtained from the African American Museum & Library at Oakland.
Preferred Citation
Phyllis Wheatley Club of the East Bay records, MS 147, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library.
Oakland, California.
Acquisition Information
The collection was donated to the African American Museum & Library at Oakland.
Processing Information
Processed by Mia Jaeggli, Volunteer, January 31, 2014
Biography / Administrative History
Named after African American poet Phillis Wheatley (c.1754 – 1784), the Phyllis Wheatley Club of the East Bay was founded
in 1914 by Mrs. Fred Williams and Hettie B. Tilghman. The original intent of the club was to cultivate young black women and
encourage their contributions to the community. Over the next two decades, it quickly became a charitable organization focused
on fundraising efforts that supported local organizations, community services, and programs in the East Bay. The club’s fundraising
activities took the form of annual flower shows, annual Mother’s Day breakfasts, fashion shows and community theater.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Phyllis Wheatley Club of the East Bay Collection includes administrative records, correspondence, event invitations and
programs. Administrative records consist of the club’s constitution and by-laws, meeting minutes and financial ledgers. The
collection is arranged into three series: administrative files, photographs and assorted print material.
Arrangement
Series I. Administrative files Series II. Photographs Series III. Assorted Print Material
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Phyllis Wheatley Club of the East Bay (Oakland, Calif.)
African American women--California--History.
African American women--Societies and clubs.
Oakland (Calif.) -- History.
African Americans--California--History.
Phyllis Wheatley Club of the East Bay (Oakland, Calif.), and Gail Reid. 1978. A history commemorating sixty four years of
solidarity and service. Oakland, Calif: Phyllis Wheatley Club of the East Bay].
Other Finding Aids
Colored Women’s Association Collection, MS 1, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland,
California.
Administrative Files
Physical Description: 2 boxes and 10 folders
Series Scope and Content Summary
Includes financial ledgers and receipt books, the club’s constitution and by-laws, meeting minutes and meeting notes, correspondence
regarding donations and club events, and ephemera.
Arrangement
Arranged by format.
Box 2
Financial reports and loose leaf financial ledgers.
1931-1979
Box 4:2
Receipts, invoices and banking records.
1955-1957
Box 1:3
Two pages of meeting minutes with one sample newsletter.The first page of minutes is undated and the second page is dated
February 12, 1981.
1981
Box 1:5
Notebook of meeting notes from 1981. Notes drafting the responsibilities of the club’s officers.
1981
Box 3
Secretary’s Books (meeting minutes)
1939-1965
Box 1:6
Assorted correspondence, including letters requesting donations.
1969-1991
Box 1:7
Event programs.
1973-1994
Box 1:8
Event programs and flyers.
1964-1995
Box 1:9
Certificates honoring contributions from the Phyllis Wheatley Club.
1956-1977
Box 1:10
Tickets for a play put on by The Black Repertory Group.
1973
Box 1:10
Brief biography of Phyllis Wheatley Club newsletter.
1981
Box 1:10
Planning materials for a fundraiser.
1992
Box 1:10
Flyer for the Annual Mother’s Day Breakfast and poster depicting the San Francisco Bay Bridge.
1963
Box 1:10
Scroll with members’ names.
1963
Photographs
Physical Description: 1 folder
Series Scope and Content Summary
Contains two photographs of club members.
Arrangement
By format.
Box 1:11
Photograph of the Phyllis Wheatley Club of the East Bay members.
1979
Box 1:11
Photograph of club member Martha Montgomery.
1955
Assorted Materials
Physical Description: 2 folders
Series Scope and Content Summary
Includes a 1966 guide to scholarships for Oakland high school students and print material related to club business but not
created by the club.
Arrangement
By format.
Box 1:2
Scholarships and other forms of financial aid for students planning to enter universities, colleges or special schools / Oakland
Public Schools
1966
Box 1:13
Form letters requesting financial contributions
1959-1976
Box 1:13
Newspaper clipping titled Son of Centerites Shows Fine Promise
ca. 1960
Box 1:13
Booklet from the Berkeley Women’s Town Council
1977
Box 1:13
Promotional materials for Balboa Greetings, Inc.
1971
