Lantern Slides, circa 1910s-circa 1930s

The office files of the American Woman's Association reflect the growth and development of the organization from 1911 to 1974. The records are arranged topically and include bound volumes of meeting minutes, newspaper clippings, memos, flyers, promotional materials, estate bequests, books, photographs, invitations and guest lists relating to lectures, luncheons, award presentations, and musical concerts. Materials of other social and cultural events presented by the AWA are also included. Highlights from the collection include “100 Women Look at the Future,” a report compiled from survey information to chart the growth of women’s financial stability, and “Miss Robinson Crusoe, Her Island Clubhouse,” a printed brochure about the Robinson Crusoe affair (a campaign designed to raise awareness about the necessity of a new clubhouse of the AWA).

The office files from the two predecessor organizations, the Vacation Committee (1911-1915) and Vacation Association (1915-1922) are incomplete and consist only of the charter and by-laws, savings stamps, and receipts. Also included in the inventory are materials relating to two organizations that the AWA was a chapter of: the National Council of Women of the United States and the National Committee on Household Employment. These records consist of correspondence, financial papers, newsletters, and invitations to various events. The materials representing the AWA (1922-1981) include minutes and reports of the Board of Directors, founding and history of the AWA, administration, including committee reports and correspondence, the American Woman’s Realty Corporation, general office correspondence, and activities and programs, including the Woman of the Month Award and the Eminent Achievement Award. In addition, there are many photographs documenting the multitude of events. Lantern slides are also included in the collection, both of promotional posters and candid AWA events. Also included are publications issued by the AWA. There are gaps in the materials available from the 1960’s and early 1970’s; other than general correspondence, there are few organizational files reflecting the administration of the AWA.