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