Women's Commission collection

Collection

Identifier: 010.WC

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Women's Commission collection contains information about the organization including events, committees, correspondence, meeting minutes, history, member listing, clippings, brochures and flyers, news letters, news releases, scholarships, and surveys. The collection is arranged in two series and seven sub-series. Records date from 1970-2017.

The two series included in the collection are: Administration and History, and Publicity and Outreach. The Administration and History series includes four sub-series of annual reports, meeting minutes, budget and finance, and committees. The series is not complete, there are no annual reports past 1990. No financial records past 2010 and the records from 2009 are missing. There are also few financial records from the 1980s and none from before 1978. Member listings only go through 2008. The Publicity and Outreach series includes three sub-series of correspondence, events, and scholarships.

Dates

1970 - 2017

Conditions Governing Access

Researchers are asked to request materials 24 hours prior to visiting the the University Archives.

Historical Note

The Women's Commission was initiated by the Faculty Women's Club (now EMU's Women's Association). In 1972, President Harold Sponberg and the Board of Regents accepted a proposal to found the commission. The President appointed the first members in the fall of 1972. The Women's Commission exists to inquire into the status of women at EMU and to ensure fair treatment of all women at the University.

Starting in the 1970s, the commision began to award grants and scholarships to support the professional development of women at the University. They also support programs and events, such as Take Your Daughter to Work Day, to encourage and support young girls. The organization has been actively involved with the enforcement of Title IX and with the University's Affirmative Action Committee. Throughout the late 1970s and early 80s, annual "Woman of the Year" awards were given out to honor women of note. The commission tracks the employment, benefits, and wages of women at Eastern Michigan, as well as the treatment of female students.

Extent

7.3 Linear Feet (13 archive boxes, 1 object )

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Women's Commission collection documents an organization that exists to ensure the equal treatment of women at Eastern Michigan University. The collection includes clippings, meeting minutes, history, purpose of the organization, committees, annual reports, financial records, and correspondence. The collection is arranged in two series. Records date from 1970-2017.