Leila M. Foster (1929-) Scrapbooks

Leila Foster's scrapbooks illuminate the life of a university student in the years following World War II. Ephemera and form letters are interspersed with personal correspondence and other personal documents.

The series consists of three scrapbooks, from Foster's first three academic years at Northwestern: 1946/1947, 1947/1948 and 1948/194.

The first scrapbook contains Foster's letter from the university granting her admission, as well as welcoming notes from many sororities, and a pledge beanie. Foster joined Alpha Phi (Beta chapter) and her continued involvement in sorority activities is reflected in the material collected in all three scrapbooks. There are several unmarked group photographs that appear to be related to Alpha Phi, as well as copies of the sorority newsletter, the Beta Data.

The scrapbooks also contain brochures and guides for new students, clippings from the Daily Northwestern about various campus events, a few programs for football games and playbills from university productions. Many copies of the student publication the Purple Parrot are also included. Foster's social activities are documented in dance cards and programs, greeting cards, and a few personal letters. Admitted to Northwestern's School of Business her sophomore year, Foster was a dedicated student, as evidenced by the excellent grade reports and documents relating to her scholarly awards that are included in the scrapbooks.