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Associated Women Students records

 Collection
Identifier: 04.AWS

Scope and Contents

The Associated Women Students (AWS) records were created by the AWS student organization at Eastern Michigan University. The organization sought to promote the interests of female students and the Intercollegiate Association of Women Students. The AWS records collection includes materials from approximately 1919 to 1975 that detail the goals and activities of the group, as well as their participation in national and state-wide conventions.

The Associated Women Students records have been divided into two series: Administration and Communications and Events. The Administration series includes a sub-series of material from the Intercollegiate Association of Women Students, which contains records from both the national and state conventions. This series is also composed of materials from the operations of the Associated Women Students organization, such as a constitution, amendments, bylaws, correspondence, agendas, program summaries, handbooks, bound meeting minutes, and a certificate of establishment with accompanying surveys that formally recognize the change of the organization from "League of Women" to "Associated Women Students" in 1960.

The Communications and Events series includes clippings and pamphlets, as well as a collection of newsletters, which includes copies of "Women's World," "As we see it...in the Looking Glass," and "Feminine Focus" and a sub-series of scrapbooks.

Dates

  • Creation: 1919 - 1975

Conditions Governing Access

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

Administrative History

The founding of the Associated Women Students (AWS) is disputed. According to A History of Eastern Michigan University : 1849-1965, the Women's Self-Government Association was established at Michigan State Normal College in 1914, at a time when female students outnumbered males. In 1919, the Association was renamed the Women's League as a counterpart to the Men's Union, and was intended to better serve the needs of women, and all female students became members upon enrollment. However, the Eastern Michigan University Women's Association history maintains that in 1919 the Women's Association (then the Faculty Women's Club) proposed the Women's League to "promote a fuller social life for girls and to raise social standards." None of the AWS records pre-date 1919.

The League was divided into two boards: the Executive Board which handled the legislative, social, and service functions of the club, and the Advisory Board, which handled the judicial problems and regulations of female students. The League also collected, published, and distributed materials regarding etiquette. During this period, the League established the League of Women Voters on campus, the Campus Sisters group, which welcomed new students, and the Community Service Club.

In 1955-1956, the organization changed its name once more to the Association of Women Students. The Constitution stated the purpose of the organization as, "to cultivate a campus environment which will encourage women to govern themselves throughout their college careers...to promote fellowship and a spirit of unity among women students...to develop greater integration of women's organizations...to work cooperatively with faculty, students and other student organizations in University undertakings and to represent the women students in matters of general university interest...to create attitudes that will promote and maintain the highest standards of University life...to strengthen and broaden a sense of individual responsibility through participation in worthwhile projects and activities sponsored by AWS...and to promote the goals of the IAWS." Membership was composed of female students, though alumnae and female faculty members could achieve honorary membership. The AWS was affiliated with the Intercollegiate Association of Women Students, a national organization and sought to provide leadership opportunities for women students.

Extent

4 Linear Feet (1 record center carton, 3 oversized boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Associated Women Students (AWS) records were created by the AWS student organization at Eastern Michigan University. The organization sought to promote the interests of female students and the Intercollegiate Association of Women Students. The AWS records collection includes materials from approximately 1919 to 1975 that detail the goals and activities of the group, as well as their participation in national and state-wide conventions.

Arrangement of Materials

The Associated Women Students records have been divided into two series: Administration and Communications and Events. The Administration series includes a sub-series of material from the Intercollegiate Association of Women Students, which contains records from both the national and state conventions. This series is also composed of materials from the operations of the Associated Women Students organization, such as a constitution, amendments, bylaws, correspondence, agendas, program summaries, handbooks, bound meeting minutes, and a certificate of establishment with accompanying surveys that formally recognize the change of the organization from "League of Women" to "Associated Women Students" in 1960.

The Communications and Events series includes clippings and pamphlets, as well as a collection of newsletters, which includes copies of "Women's World," "As we see it...in the Looking Glass," and "Feminine Focus." This series includes a sub-series of scrapbooks that are arranged in chronological order.

Related Materials

For related materials, see the following collections in the University Archives:

League of Women Voters collection [04.LWV]

https://aspace.emich.edu/repositories/2/resources/708

Women's Association records [04.WA]

https://aspace.emich.edu/repositories/2/resources/772

Title
Associated Women Students records
Status
Completed
Author
Courtney Dornburg, Natalie Morath
Date
2012 January 12
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Eastern Michigan University Archives Repository

Contact:
Bruce T. Halle Library, Room 310
955 West Circle Drive
Ypsilanti Michigan 48197
734-487-2673