Abstract The American Association of University Women (AAUW) had its first meeting in 1881 in Boston, Massachusetts. Marian Talbot and Ellen Richards, along with fifteen alumnae from eight colleges, met to discuss the needs of college-educated women. Dedicated to promoting equality and education among women and girls, the AAUW has over 170,000 members and supporters, 1000 local branches, and 800 college and university partners (as of 2015). The Charlotte branch of the AAUW began in 1913...

Abstract

The Athenae Book Club was a women’s book club that studied various subjects through reading, lectures, and poetry. The book club had a monthly theme that the discussion was centered around. Each meeting was hosted by a different member.

This collection contains Athenae Book Club programs dated 1905-1950, a newspaper clipping, and three sets of reading notes. Materials are in good condition.

Abstract The Au Courant Book Club was organized in October 1931 and met monthly in the homes of its members. Their meetings were advertised regularly in the Charlotte Observer. They held an annual Christmas party in which the husbands were honored guests. The club frequently had guest speakers at their meetings or had outings. This collection contains programs dated 1934-1954. Each monthly program contains discussion topics, officers, committee members with their addresses, telephone...

Abstract

The Carolina Book Club was founded in May 1939 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Collection materials include essays, meeting minutes, financial records, and other miscellaneous materials relating to the club. Materials are dated 1939-1986 and in good condition, with some documents in poor condition due to fragility.

Abstract Carrie Chapman Catt founded the League of Women Voters in 1920 during the National American Woman Suffrage Association’s annual convention. It was designed to be a nonpartisan, grassroots organization that would assist the 20 million new female voters in understanding and executing their new civic duties. The League was, and continues to be, a strong advocate of politically educated citizens and government and social reform legislation. Formed in 1922, the Charlotte League of...

Abstract The Charlotte Woman’s Club is the oldest civic organization in Charlotte. Organized in 1899 as the Study Club for Mothers, the club changed its name in 1902 when membership and civic activities increased. Six women organized the club, with Mrs. WS Liddell as the first president 1899-1901. In 1908, they joined the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, which is now one of the world’s largest and oldest nonpartisan, nondenominational, international women’s volunteer service organization....

Abstract The National Women’s Political Caucus (NWPC) is “a multi-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to increasing women’s participation in the political process and creating a political power base designed to achieve equality for all women.” This group was founded in July 1971 in order to increase the number of women in all aspects of political life. The Charlotte Women’s Political Caucus also began in the early 1970s, and some of its founding members included Betty Chafin Rash,...

Abstract

The Chelidon Book Club was founded in November 1901. The name “Chelidon” was chosen after a literary society of the University of the South at Sewanee, Tennessee. Chelidon is a Greek term for part of the arm, which signifies not only strength, but friendship and fellowship. Women in this club discussed a variety of topics and typically chose books to represent a given theme. Materials in this collection include annual programs and meeting minutes dated 1901-1937 and are in good condition.

Abstract

This collection contains documents that cover Mrs. Cornelia Beery Fore’s (Mrs. J.A. Fore) work as the historian for the United Daughters of the Confederacy. It consists primarily of historical research and collected testimonies pertaining to the United States Civil War as well as genealogical research into Fore’s own lineage. Included as well are letters and other documents from the life of her daughter, Ms. Cornelia (Cornie) Fore. Materials are dated 1864-1944 and are in good condition.

Abstract The Cranford Book Club is Charlotte’s oldest book club, organized in 1891. Fourteen prominent Charlotte ladies began the club, including Mary Anna Morrison Jackson. Mrs. Josephine Durant served as its first president. The ladies selected the name of their club from Elizabeth Gaskell’s popular book Cranford, and chose the motto “fun as well as study.” The club’s objectives are focused on two areas: “circulating the best in current literature among the membership, and selecting an annual topic...

Abstract The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a national society of women dedicated to historical preservation, promoting of education, and encouraging patriotic behavior. Founded in 1890, DAR actively participates in diverse service projects that focus on preserving cultural heritage, such as maintaining historical sites and memorializing historical figures and events through erection of monuments. This collection contains 22 paperback programs and yearbooks printed by various chapters...

Abstract

The Ex Libris Book Club was organized in 1928 by a group of ten women. This collection contains annually distributed programs with information on monthly gatherings. Each program contains discussion topics, officers, and committee members with their addresses, telephone numbers, meeting date, hostess, and presenter. Materials dated 1933-1998 and arranged in chronological order.

Abstract

The Fortnightly Book Club was organized in the early twentieth century to discuss books on a variety of topics. This collection contains notebooks and programs relating to the Fortnightly Book Club. The notebooks consist of meeting minutes and general notes about the members, what they were reading, and where/what time they met. In the programs, information covered the clubs officers, program committee, members, hostess, and book lists. Materials in this collection are dated 1925-1967.

Abstract

Girl Scouting in the United States began in March 1912 in Savannah, Georgia. Juliette Gordon Low founded this organization with a vision for girls across the country to build courage, confidence, and character in a time where women were overlooked in society. This collection contains copies of The Girl Scout Clarion, a newsletter published by the Mecklenburg County Girl Scout Council. Collection materials are dated April 1947-October 1956 and are in good condition.

Abstract The American Gold Star Mothers was founded in 1928 by Grace Darling Seibold, mother of deceased soldier George Vaughn, and later incorporated on January 5, 1929 in Washington, DC. As with the American War Mothers, the Gold Star Mothers’ membership was initially limited, but was later amended to include all American conflicts, and all mothers of children killed during these conflicts. Materials in this collection include three scrapbooks with histories of the group and its...

Abstract

The Junior League of Charlotte (JLC) is a women’s organization that promotes volunteering and leadership development. The JLC's Garden Club was organized on November 5, 1925 to engage in conservation work and outdoor activities. Examples of projects undertaken by the Garden Club include flower shows, bird house contests, school gardens, home improvement contests, and flower photography. Collection materials are in good condition and dated 1937-1988.

Abstract The Junior League of Charlotte (JLC) was founded in 1926 by 30 women with the goal of encouraging young women to improve their communities through civic engagement. Members of JLC contribute both their time and financial resources to various community agencies and their projects to help meet the critical needs of the communities they serve. The organization also seeks to empower women by providing training opportunities to further develop their members’ professional and leadership skills....

Abstract

The objective of the Los Tiempos Book Club was to foster the culture and entertainment of its members. The programs and programs found in this collection include the names of the book club members, dates and locations for the meetings, a list of the books exchanged, and a copy of the constitution and by-laws. Materials are dated 1951-1970.

Abstract

The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America (NSCDA) is a national organization that was founded in 1891. Its members actively seek to inspire patriotism through historic preservation, education, and patriotic service. NSCDA focuses its organizational efforts on sparking interest in our nation’s founding and development, and colonial history. This collection contains bound annual reports published by the North Carolina chapter of NSCDA dated 1912-1939.

Abstract

The Pro Re Nata Book Club was organized in early 20th century. It was the outgrowth of a sewing club consisting of young women between the ages of 17 and 19. This collection contains a multi-page document outlining the history and intentions of the Pro Re Nata Club, as well as annual club programs dated 1906-1953. In each program there is a list of members and information about discussions and discussion leaders. Materials are dated 1906-1953.

Abstract The Hunter and Ranson families were two of the earliest families who settled in what was originally known as “Craighead.” In 1873, the town was renamed “Huntersville” for the Hunter family. These two families would join together through the 1890 marriage of William Joseph Ranson and Ellen Viola Hunter. The Ranson and Hunter families continued to influence the development of the Huntersville community throughout the 20th Century. The children of William and Ellen went on to serve their...

Abstract The Research Book Club was founded in 1913 and met twice a month. The club was active between 1913 and 1970 and met in the homes of its members. The community and the club’s members were kept up to date with club meetings and announcements in frequent Charlotte Observer articles. The last formal meeting was held in 1972. At the time, it was the second oldest book club in Charlotte.This collection contains 1 fragile scrapbook, meeting minutes from 1942-1972, and 73 annual...

Abstract

The Sesame Book Club was organized on February 27, 1951 in Charlotte, NC to discuss general culture and current event topics. Membership was set at 16 and new members were only accepted by unanimous ballot. Meetings were held on the last Friday of each month at a member’s home. Mrs. L.L. Autry was the club’s first president.

This collection contains annual programs dated 1956-1973, with information on book selections, members, officers, and By-Laws.

Abstract

The Sorosis Book Club was a professional women's book club in Charlotte, North Carolina. Each program contains discussion topics, officers, committee members, addresses, telephone numbers, meeting dates, hostess, and presenter. Materials are dated 1906-1936.

Abstract

“The Clubwoman” was a monthly bulletin of the Charlotte Woman’s Club, the city’s oldest civic organization. The first edition was published on October 7, 1936. The publication dealt with club activity and relayed important information to its club members. This collection contains original issues of “The Clubwoman” spanning from approximately 1936-1939 and 1943-1958.

Abstract The General Federation of Women’s Club (GFWC) is one of the world’s largest nondenominational women’s volunteer service organization. As of 2019, there are approximately 140 clubs in North Carolina. GFWC and its state clubs are active in many areas of service, including the arts, conservation, education, homelife, outreach, public issues, and leadership. This organization provides opportunities for women of all ages and backgrounds to develop skills that will advance them in their...

Abstract This collection contains records from the following local book clubs: Dolly Madison Book Club, Bessie Dewey Book Club, Friday Afternoon Book Club, Lily Long Reading Society, Richard Tiddy Club, As You Like It Book Club, Current Topics Book Club, Renaissance Book Club, The Reviewers Book Club, Parnassus Book Club, Cover to Cover Book Club, The Quest Club, Panoramic Book Club, Veritas Book Club, El Viernes Book Club, John Charles McNeill Book Club, Entre Nous Book Club, Kosmos Book Club,...

Abstract The Virginia Dare Book Circle was first organized in 1893 with twelve members. The book circle chose a different topic to study for each year and met every two weeks to discuss. The Virginia Dare Circle was formed as a social, literary, and historical women’s club. The Club was organized to educate women on notable women in North Carolina’s history while providing a place for socializing and community building.This collection contains programs, papers, and minutes dated...