Biographical / Historical
Scope and Contents
San Jose State University Student Memorabilia Collection
San José State University Scrapbook Collection
Preferred Citation
Arrangement
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Title: Black Masque Honor Society Records
creator:
Black Masque Honor Society
Identifier/Call Number: MSS.2010.12.01
Physical Description:
17 boxes
(5.75 linear feet)
Date (inclusive): 1930-2013
Date (bulk): 1965-1985
Abstract: The Black Masque Society Records document the history of the San José State University's Black Masque Honor Society, alumni,
and reunion activities from 1957 to 2013. The collection materials consist of the adminstrative records, correspondence,
negatives, memorabilia, and scrapbooks with photographs, newsclippings, and announcements.
Biographical / Historical
The Black Masque Honor Society formed in 1930 as a secret senior women's honorary student organization. In 1930 Gladys Aitken,
a senior at San Jose State Teachers College, attended a convention of Associated Women Students and was first introduced to
the Mortar Board, a national society honoring senior women for both scholarship and leadership. Influenced by the convention,
Aitken proposed San Jose State establish its own organization similar to Mortar Board and the Dean of Women, Helen Dimmick,
shared her enthusiasm and together outlined the provisional society called The Mystic 13. By 1931 member qualifications were
chosen and a constitution written which entailed members to wear black robes and black masks for initiation, leading to the
official name of the group—Black Masque. Each year thirteen women were invited for membership at the end of their junior year
on the basis of their leadership and service to the university and would become active members their senior year. The group
would convene for community outreach, fellowship, and annual reunions. The Black Masque Alumni Council was established in
1943 and continues to actively work with the campus society. In 1977 men were allowed admittance. Black Masque remains an
active, albeit an exclusively nomination only, honor society of San José State University.
Scope and Contents
The Black Masque Society Records contain the administrative records, scrapbooks, and memorabilia documenting the San José
State University Black Masque Honor Society, alumni committee, and reunion activities from 1930 to 2013. The collection consists
of the Black Masque constitution, by-laws, agendas, negatives, printed material, audiovisual, and other object memorabilia
of the society and its alumni. The bulk of the collection consists of scrapbooks, which include photographs, news clippings,
and event announcements.
San Jose State University Student Memorabilia Collection
San José State University Student Organization Records, MSS-2009-03-09, San José State University Library Special Collections
& Archives.
San José State University Scrapbook Collection
San José State University Scrapbook Collection, MSS-2010-03-04, San José State University Library Special Collections and
Archives.
Preferred Citation
Black Masque Honor Society Records, MSS-2010-12-01, San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into four series: Series I. Organizational Records and Related Materials, 1965-2013; Series II.
Scrapbooks, Photographic, and Audiovisual Materials (1958-2010); Series III. Printed Material; Series IV. Miscellaneous Materials.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
California State University, San José -- History.
San José State University -- History
Students -- Social life and customs
Students -- Societies
Women -- Societies and clubs
Black Masque Honor Society