Women

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 In the aftermath of World War I, a number of volunteers from American agencies went overseas to help with the return to peacetime and assist the military with this and other projects. Annie Lee Hoffman was one of these volunteers, serving as part of the YMCA. Annie was born on August 9, 1887 in Morganton, NC to Julius and Martha Hoffman. She attended Oxford Seminary in Oxford, NC where she studied office administration. She moved to Rocky Mount, NC where she was employed as a private...

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 Bonnie Alice Austin was born to James A. and Wilma Duncan Austin on May 27, 1896 in Union County, North Carolina. She married George Henry Petteway on November 23, 1914, but later divorced. Bonnie and George had three daughters: Martha, Mary, and Jean. Bonnie Austin Petteway accumulated a wealth of genealogical information on a variety of families in and around Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Some of the more heavily documented families included in her notes are: Shelby, Stevenson,...

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 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,...

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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 Democratic Women of Mecklenburg County seek to encourage qualified women to seek public office and participate in Democratic Party activities, and to provide support the principles of the Democratic Party and to work for the election of Democratic candidates. This video was created by Sandra Dickerson, who highlighted dynamic women in the democratic party, including Liz Hair, Dorothy Holden, Doris Cromartie, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Barbara Jordon, among others. There is also focus on the...

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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 Martha W. Evans (1910-1979) was the first woman elected to the Charlotte City Council, serving from 1955-1959. She later went on to serve in the North Carolina General Assembly from 1963-1965, and the Senate from 1965-1970. As a legislator, Evans advocated for causes rooted in education and mental health, including a universal kindergarten system, licensing of day care centers, and supporting the educational needs of the mentally challenged. This collection contains documents,...

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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 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...

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This collection contains correspondence, manuscripts, lesson plans, music, poetry, photographs, and personal papers. The date range for collection materials is 1930-1994, with a majority of items dating 1959-1968. Many items are undated.

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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.

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“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 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...