Administrative History
In 1886 the Indiana University chapter of the YWCA was founded by Mrs. Jenny Bryan for the purpose of encouraging the personal development, religious growth, social sensitivity, and civic responsibility of its members. A constitution was drafted and in it the organization's hierarchy was laid out with a five part leadership structure including the following: 1) student officers, who were the primary decision making body, 2) the Executive Council, which held ultimate responsibility for the organization's health, direction and finances, 3) a cabinet, responsible for final approval of executive council actions regarding policy, 4) an executive director and a secretary, who were employed to implement and manage organizational policy, and 5) a board of directors, which were elected from each of the following categories: faculty and staff, faculty and staff wives, town women, and unrestricted. Additionally, four voting ex-officio members were drawn from the wives or mothers of the president of the university, one woman from the university board of trustees, one woman from university administration and one more woman recommended by the advisory board to serve in a position of special assistance.
The organization's programming activities included both IU campus specific as well as wider community outreach efforts. For example, from 1932 until at least 1970 the organization was responsible for the campus musical revue IU Sing, and for several years the organization ran a campus orientation known as Freshman Camp. Community wide efforts included but were not limited to classes in karate, yoga and auto mechanics.
Since its origination, there was a continual increase in membership, reaching its height in 1964 with a total of 671 members. However, by May of 1970 (the last year for which data is present) membership had dwindled to only 492 members. There are no records to indicate what happened to the Indiana University YWCA or when it ceased to function. Many of the records from the 1970's seem to indicate a wide programming collaboration with the YMCA, and it is possible though undocumented that the YWCA was simply absorbed by the men's organization.
Scope and Content Note
The Indiana University Young Women's Christian Association records are organized into two series: Subject files (1903-1973), which is arranged alphabetically, and Scrapbooks (1929-1937), which is arranged chronologically. Where multiple folders appear for one subject, such as I.U. Sing, the folders are filed chronologically. Within the IU Sing files are both programs from each year the program was produced as well as more general administrative files, including instructions for participants. The subject files contain a wide variety of materials including administrative files such as budgets, meeting minutes, annual reports and correspondence and files representing particular Y.W.C.A. programs such as the Chimes of Christmas, International Bazaar and Freshman Camp. There are also several files containing information on current events and topics of interest such as abortion and the American Indian Movement. At the end of the collection there are several files pertaining to the Y.W.C.A. and Y.M.C.A combined programming. Several of the files include historical information that dates as far back as 1892. However, the bulk of the files were created between 1960 and 1972. The scrapbooks largely contain newspaper clippings of various YWCA-related articles, but they also hold administrative records, program materials, and other miscellaneous items. Within, some scrapbooks are arranged chronologically, but others are organized by subject matter such as Membership, Cabinet Retreats, and General Meetings.
Arrangement
Organized in two series: Subject files, and Scrapbooks.
Restrictions
Access Restrictions:
Student Recommendations were restricted and placed at the end of the collection.
Advance notice is required for access.
Usage Restrictions:
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.
Separated Material
The only items separated from the collection during processing were duplicates.
Group photographs of the 1925, 1926 and 1927 members were moved to the Photograph collection.
Indexed Terms
-
Corporate Bodies
- Y.W.C.A. Indiana U.
- Y.W.C.A. Indiana U.
-
Subjects
- Women --Indiana --Bloomington --Societies and clubs
- Young Women's Christian associations --Indiana --Bloomington
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
[Item], Indiana University Young Women's Christian Association records, Collection C341, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.
Acquisition Information
Accession numbers 7003, 7004, 7005, 7006, 7007, 7063, 7552, 7553, 7554. YWCA publications from 30P and Accessions 2023/021, 2017/004.1011.
Processing Information
Processed by Archives staff.
Completed in 2009
Updated in September 2023 by Evan Brandon.
Collection Inventory
box 1
Series:
Subject files , 1898-1973, undated
box 1
Abortion , 1969-1970, undated
box 1
Activities – YWCA , 1971, undated
Physical Description: (2 folders)
box 1
Activity Reports , 1954-1960
box 1
By Laws , 1960, 1969, undated
box 1
Chairman's Reports , 1954-1966
box 1
Duties and Purposes , 1963, undated
box 1
United Fund Information , 1970-1971, undated
box 1
Finance, Misc. , 1968-1970, undated
box 1
Information on history, aim, etc , undated
box 1
Investments , 1966-1970, undated
box 1
Board Manual , 1952, undated
box 1
Membership Nominees , 1972
box 1
Nominating Committee , 1968-1971
box 1
Nomination Forms , undated
box 1
Personnel Polices for Executive Director , 1965, undated
box 1
Committee Preference Sheets , undated
box 1
Proposed Structure , undated
box 1
Role , 1969-1972, undated
box 1
Roundtable Forms , undated
box 1
Sample Folder , 1968-1969, undated
box 1
Alumni Lists , 1897-1962, undated
box 1
Alumni Membership Lists , 1955-1970, undated
box 1
AMOS- Information , 1969-1970, undated
box 1
National Student YW , 1971-1972
box 1
Executive Director , 1956-1971, undated
box 1
Assembly Hall – Indiana University , 1970
box 1
Auditorium – Seating Chart , undated
box 1
Auditors Report Annual , 1969-1970
box 1
Auto Mechanics Class , 1971-1972
box 1
Biddle Continuation Center Reservation Forms , undated
box 1
Bloomington Map , undated
box 1
Book Drive for Asian Students , April 1967
box 1
Charts and List , 1968-1971
box 1
Annual Budget Forms (United Fund) , 1957-1968
box 1
Working Papers , 1965-1969
box 1
Financial Statements , 1925-1927
box 1
Bureau of Philanthropic Affairs , 1955-1969
box 1
Cabinet Notes , 1967-1969
box 2
Chairman Information , undated
box 2
Channels -- Bi-monthly Publication , 1957-1960
box 2
Child Care Information , undated
box 2
Christian Emphasis , 1971, undated
box 2
Chaney – Stancome Acquittal , September, 1971
box 2
Christmas Cards to Parents , 1971
box 2
Church Federation – Monroe County , 1957-1964
box 2
Classes Offered , February, 1972
box 2
Registration , 1971, undated
box 2
Applications , 1971-1972, undated
box 2
Executive Committee , 1970-1971, undated
box 2
Commitment Proposal , 1969, undated
box 2
Committee Minutes , 1971-1972, undated
box 2
Committee of Responsibility , 1967
box 2
Community Service Council City of Bloomington News & Notes , 1971-1972
box 2
Congressional Action Fund , 1970, undated
box 2
Constitutions of Other Student YWCA's , 1948-1950, undated
box 2
Council of Social Agencies , 1959-1969
box 2
Contribution Thank You notes , 1971-1972
box 2
From University of Nevada Re: re-admittance to United Way Fund
box 2
To Senator Birch Bayh Re: Vietnam conflict POWs , undated
box 2
Danforth Associates , 1956-1970, undated
box 2
Dean of Students & Archives Administration , 1943-1961, undated
box 2
General , 1969-1969, undated
box 2
1892 to present / Worship Installation , 1929, 1954-1959, undated
box 2
Walt Disney Production – Correspondence with , 1971
box 2
Drug Education Information , undated
box 2
Education – General , 1968, undated
box 2
Education – General , undated
box 2
Employment – General Information , 1967-1970, undated
box 2
Evaluation and Identification Forms , 1958, undated
box 2
Five Year Plan YWCA , 1955-1970, undated
box 2
Finance Administration Manual , 1969
box 2
Financial Report – Survey for Student Activities , 1970
Financial Statement - Bookets , circa 1920s
box 2
Financial Statements – End of the Year , 1953-1970
box 2
Floor Governors – YWCA , undated
box 2
Focus – Applications , undated
box 2
Foreign Service Officer (Sample Questions for Exam) , 1967-1970
box 2
Free University – Spring , 1972
box 2
Former "Y" Presidents , 1947-1970, undated
box 2
General , 1971-1972, undated
box 2
Completed Evaluations , 1971
box 2
Frills and Furbelows , 1933-1935
box 3
General , 1937-1970, undated
box 3
General Application Form YWCA , undated
box 3
General Reports , 1900-1903
box 3
Guide for Speakers and Writers Indiana University , 1970
box 3
Head Start Committee Applications , undated
box 3
Health Films & Catalogue , 1969, undated
box 3
Health and Welfare Services in Monroe County , 1967 Edition
box 3
Household Handy Woman , 1971
box 3
Ideology – Purpose , 1968, undated
box 3
Imprig , 1971-1972, undated
box 3
Bible Cont. Center Information , undated
box 3
Museum , 1969-1970, undated
box 3
Rental , 1956-1971, undated
box 3
Income Analysis , 1968-1969
box 3
American Indian Information
box 3
Indian Roundtable , 1956-1970
box 3
Indiana Public Interest Research Group , undated
box 3
Institutional Racism , 1969-1971, undated
box 3
Instructor Agreement Forms , undated
box 3
Financial Report , 1971, undated
box 3
1971 (Christmas Card List)
box 3
Application Form , undated
box 3
Merchandise Catalogues , undated
box 3
International Students , 1969-1970, undated
box 3
Joy of Easter Letter , March 1972
box 3
Leadership Staff , 1957-1968, undated
box 3
Meeting Report Sheets and Meeting Records , undated
box 3
Agreements , 1951-1961, undated
box 3
Sustaining Membership Letter , March 1971
box 3
Sustaining , 1971, undated
box 3
Midwestern Gay Lib conference (Chicago Gay Liberation) , undated
box 3
Machine & Projector , 1958-1971, undated
box 3
Policies and Forms , undated
box 3
Minority Women Concerns , undated
box 3
Musical/Arts Center , 1971-1972
box 3
National Convention , 1970, undated
box 3
National Board , 1956-1960, undated
box 3
National Student Y.W.C.A.
box 3
General File , 1958-1970, undated
box 3
Interact Publication , 1969-1971
box 3
Staff to Staff , 1969-1970
box 3
National Student Council of Combined YMCA and YWCA , 1970
box 3
National – Tallies and Trends Bulletins
box 3
Newspaper Clippings , 1971-1972
box 3
Office Procedure and Leadership Guidelines , undated
box 3
Officers and Cabinets , 1956-1971
box 3
Officer and Executive Committee Application , 1956-1969, undated
box 3
One Imperative , 1969-1972, undated
box 3
Organization Information , undated
box 3
Parents Membership , 1955-1960, undated
box 4
Peace Corps – Information , 1963, undated
box 4
Penal Institutions , 1971
box 4
Job Descriptions , 1965-1970, undated
box 4
Pictures of Campus , 1965, undated
box 4
Policies , 1955-1965, undated
box 4
Program for Action , 1970-1973
box 4
Programs and Activities , 1964-1967
box 4
Program Project Planning , undated
box 4
Program Reports , 1971-1972
box 4
Progress Reports (Ruth Gray) , 1971
box 4
Project Commitment , 1972
box 4
Projects , 1936-1956, undated
box 4
Proposals , 1969-1970, undated
box 4
Public Relations Committee General , 1950-1956, undated
box 4
Welcome Pamphlets , circa 1940s, 1962
box 4
Promotional material , 1949-1962
Welcome Clippings , undated
YWCA County Fair , undated
box 4
Questionnaires from former "Y" Presidents , received in 1958 but covers years beginning in 1892
box 4
Recommendations and References , 1956-1962, undated
Conditions Governing Access: Restricted
box 4
Recommendations for Students , 1972
Conditions Governing Access: Restricted
box 4
Susan Kinney , 1968-1970, undated
box 4
Why it was taken away from us by u , 1971, undated
box 4
Regional Report , 1961-1970
box 4
Correspondence , 1939-1969, undated
box 4
Fund Reports , 1965-1969, undated
box 4
YWCA – Retirement Fund , 1970
box 4
Retreat -- Cabinet , 1936-1937
Spring Retreat - Cabinet , 1937
Spring Retreat - Cabinet , undated
box 4
Rock Concert Volunteers , 1972
box 4
Roster of Professional Staff , 1962-1969
box 4
Scholarship and Fellowship Information , 1960
box 4
Scholarships and Financial Aid , 1937-1961, undated
box 4
Ruth's Weekly Schedule , 1971-1972
box 4
Sesame Street , 1970, undated
box 4
Sex Education , 1970, undated
box 4
Untitled [Sex Education] , 1970
box 4
Information , 1970, undated
box 4
Sickle Cell Anemia , 1971, undated
box 4
Auditorium Tickets , 1963-1969, undated
box 4
box 5
General Administrative Files
box 5
Hours – Breakdown Sheet , undated
box 5
Job Applications [blank] , undated
box 5
Student Executive Board Minutes
box 5
Student Group Listings , 1971-1972
box 5
Student Organization Accounts
box 5
Information , 1971-1972, undated
box 5
Student Orientation Leader Application , 1966
box 5
Student Originated Studies Program , undated
box 5
Survey of Student Participation , 1970
box 5
Summer Project , 1971-1972, undated
box 5
Tallies and Trends YWCA – National Publication , 1971
box 5
Taxi Tickets , 1966-1970, undated
box 5
Think Tank – Letter from Maggie Ranshaw , 1971-1972
box 5
Today's Student, Description of YMCA , October 1971
box 5
Tutoring – Information , 1968-1969, undated
box 5
UNICEF – Information , 1964-1966, undated
box 5
Annual Activities Report , 1968-1973
box 5
Annual Report to the United Fund
box 5
Annual Reports from United Fund , 1958-1964
box 5
Correspondence , 1958-1969
box 5
Publications , 1961-1969, undated
box 5
Reports to Community Chest , 1953-1956
box 6
Urban Confrontation Program YMCA , undated
box 6
Vacancy Registration Forms , 1955-1969
box 6
Vietnam – Literature , 1969
box 6
Volunteer Service Bureau , 1965, undated
box 6
Volunteer Board Calendar , 1971-1972
box 6
Women's Liberation , 1969-1970
box 6
Information , 1970, undated
box 6
Resource Center on Women , 1970
box 6
Word Group Planning Sheet , undated
box 6
Work Study Program , 1971-1972
box 6
World YWCA – Information , 1942-1963, undated
box 6
Your Business and the Law , 1972
box 6
Y-Teens , 1969-1971, undated
box 6
Y.M.C.A., General , 1956-1968, undated
box 6
Y.M.C.A. and Y.W.C.A. joint meetings , 1898-1934
box 6
Zip Code Directory , undated
Conditions Governing Access: Restricted materials
Boxes 7-9
Series:
Scrapbooks , 1929-1937
Processing Information: As of 9/1/2023 scrapbooks are prepared for transfer to Preservation; returned December 2023