Indiana University Association of Women Students records, 1916-1971, bulk 1950-1968

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Summary

Creator:
Association of Women Students (Indiana University)
Abstract:
Established in 1895 as the Women's League, the Indiana University Association of Women Students worked to give an official voice to women students. The collection consists of meeting minutes, budgets, handbooks, program and issues files, and general administrative records of the organization.
Extent:
1.8 cubic foot (1 rc, 1 dc, 2 sm dc (4 boxes))
Language:
Materials are in English
Preferred citation:

[Item], Indiana University Association of Women Students records, Collection C478, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.

Background

Administrative History:

The Indiana University Women's League was established in 1895. In 1920, the name was changed to the Women's Self Government Association (W.S.G.A.), and by 1927, it changed a third and final time to the Association of Women Students (AWS).

Under the name of the Women's League, the organization was more of a social group for women on campus. At that time, only women who were faculty, staff, resident alumnae, or students were eligible to join. During and after World War I, the organization began to take a more serious turn toward the betterment of women. In 1920, the name was changed to the Women's Self Government Association, whose aim was to promote unity among university women and to "promote and maintain the highest standards of University life." At this time, all women students automatically became members when they paid their fees at registration.

In 1927, the organization became the Association of Women Students. By 1961, the organization had become a member of the Intercollegiate Association of Women Students, and its purpose was stated as follows:

"To bring about a greater spirit of unity and mutual helpfulness among women students, to give expression to the wishes and opinions of women students, and to encourage active cooperation in the work of women's self-government."

By the 1969-1970 academic year, the AWS disappeared from the yearbooks and registers, so it seems that it was around this time that the group dissolved.

In 1997, a new group, the Women's Student Association, was established on the IU campus. The WSA works to eliminate racism, sexism, heterosexism, ageism and ableism, along with other types of oppression. The goal of the organization is to support women through the use of activism, education and by raising awareness in the IU community, and by providing an atmosphere for personal growth and social networking for women. All students, faculty and staff at IU (regardless of gender) who are interested in women's issues, gender issues, sexism, oppression, health and empowerment are able to join.

Scope and Content Note:

This collection is organized into two series. The first, the Women's Self Government Association (WSGA) files (1916-1927) includes an annual report, as well as one copy of the group's constitution detailing the mission of the group, details on the council and its members, and by-laws regarding proper social etiquette and expectations of all members. The remainder of the series consists of six handbooks, written for incoming freshman, spanning academic years between 1921 and 1927. Each includes a welcome from Agnes E. Wells, Dean of Women and helpful advice from each of groups council members. The handbooks also detail athletics and activities in which new students should strive to participate, lists of important figures in WSGA and other affiliated clubs, and other important notes related to each year.

The second series of Administrative files (1927-1971) is arranged alphabetically by folder heading. Years covered range from 1927-1971, but the bulk of the records span the period from 1960-1968. Found in the collection are records relating to the Intercollegiate Association of Women Students, the Senior privilege system, and AWS minutes spanning 1956-1967. Highlights include records relating to AWS's movement to change the regulations of hours for women in Indiana University residence halls. Materials on this subject can be found throughout much of the collection, including some folders devoted entirely to the topic.

Acquisition information:
Accession numbers: C206, 7162, 2017/004
Provenance:

The bulk of these records were separated from C206, the Indiana University Senate records, 1938-1979.

Processing Information:

Processed by Whitney Olthoff.

Completed in 2012

Materials added from Accn 2017/004 by Kath Currey, April 2025.

Arrangement:

Collection is organized into two series: Women's Self-Government Association files and Administrative files.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research. Advance notice required.

Terms of access:

The donor(s) of this collection have not transferred their copyrights for the materials to the Trustees of Indiana University. For more information, please contact the Indiana University Archives staff.

The Indiana University Archives respects the intellectual property rights of others and does not claim any copyrights for non-university records, materials in the public domain, or materials for which we do not hold a Deed of Gift. Responsibility for the determination of the copyright status of these materials rests with those persons wishing to reuse the materials. Researchers are responsible for securing permission from copyright owners and any other rights holders for any reuse of these materials that extends beyond fair use or other statutory limitations.

Digital reproductions of archival materials from the Indiana University Archives are made available for noncommercial educational and research purposes only. If you are the copyright holder for any of the digitized materials and have questions about its inclusion on our site, please contact the Indiana University Archivist.

Preferred citation:

[Item], Indiana University Association of Women Students records, Collection C478, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.

Location of this collection:
Herman B Wells Library E460
1320 East Tenth Street
Bloomington, Indiana 47405-7000, United States
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Campus:
Indiana University Bloomington
Contact:
812-855-1127
archives@iu.edu