Alumnae of Northwestern University Records

This series filling eleven boxes is arranged in twelve major categories: historical material; correspondence; minutes and reports of the Board of Directors; committee reports; financial records; fliers, clippings and press releases; material regarding the WAA-MU Patron program; records pertaining to Woman's Day, NU Day and Alumnae Awards; records of the 75th Anniversary Committee; Continuing Education records; records pertaining to Scholarships and Fellowships; and Gifts and Grants records.

In the first box of the series is a one folder containing by-laws and revisions (1929-91). Three folders contain a scrapbook history of the organization (1916-34) compiled by Louis E. Paullin. Drawn from early minutes that have not survived, the history is accompanied by clippings and programs. Also included is an early history (1922) written by Enid Hennessey. One folder contains later histories, including Helen Nixon's (1948) and Earlene Palmer's (1950-80). Also, the first box contains two folders of correspondence arranged chronologically by date.

The records of the Board of Directors comprise one and a half boxes. They include minutes, lists of Board members and Committee Members, lists of Past Presidents, annual meeting invitations and guest lists, reports presented at the annual meeting, and president's reports to the alumni council. Minutes include two folders of early bound volumes (1929-36); later minutes (1956-91) are typewritten. These minutes incorporate the Treasurer's reports. The annual reports summarize the major yearly activities of the organization.

One half box of committee records include reports from standing and special committees. The largest groups concern Homecoming, Long Range Planning, Membership, and Programs and Teas.

Financial records fill nine folders. One folder contains records concerning financial procedures. Included are agreements between the Alumnae and the University regarding funds held by the University on their behalf. Treasurer's Reports (1959-91) occupy two folders. The remaining folders contain annual reports of the finance committee, treasurer's correspondence, fund statements, cash books, bills, and lists of safe deposit box contents.

Among fliers, clippings and press releases relating to the Alumnae are promotional folders and a scrapbook of press clippings (1948-71) concerning all activities of the Alumnae.

There are also five folders of programs, correspondence and reports concerning the Alumnae's WAA-MU Show patron program (1948-91).

The records of Woman's Day occupy four folders. One folder contains all of the announcements (1965-76). A publicity scrapbook (1967-72), compiled by the Woman's Day committee, occupies another folder and two folders contain programs, correspondence and miscellaneous clippings arranged chronologically (1965-74). As noted above, Woman's Day was renamed NU Day in 1977. Six folders contain NU Day materials (1977-91) arranged chronologically. Included are programs, correspondence, reports, lists of attendees, press releases, and clippings. Two folders contain material pertaining to the Alumnae Award given annually at NU Day.

Records documenting the 75th Anniversary Campaign and related programs occupy one and one-half boxes. Five folders contain the minutes of committee meetings and one folder contains correspondence arranged chronologically. Two folders contain meeting notes and speeches given by Tish Robinson, co-chairman of the 75th Anniversary. The files of Peggy Parsons, Associate Director of the Northwestern University Alumni Association, include her correspondence and notes regarding events surrounding the 75th Anniversary celebration. Three folders contain mailing lists, lists of contributors and financial records pertaining to the Campaign. One folder contains the text of an Alumnae history included as a supplement to NU Perspective, Spring 1990. Seven folders contain materials relating to the 75th Anniversary events, which included NU Day, including invitations, programs, correspondence and clippings.

The records of the Continuing Education Committee occupy one and one quarter boxes. These include minutes; correspondence; a historical summary of courses; brochures; financial records; and guidelines for class planners and proctors.

Records pertaining to scholarships and fellowships given by the Alumnae fill five folders. These include annual reports; financial summaries of scholarships and fellowships awarded; lists of recipients; and the applications and award letters.

The files concerning Gifts and Grants fill two boxes. The first folder contains summaries of gifts and grants awarded through 1988. Eleven folders contain grant proposals and award letters. Three folders contain annual reports and correspondence regarding the proposed Harris Hall and University Hall gifts. Finally, there are two folders of materials relating to the 75th Anniversary grants: one folder of Academic Enrichment Committee minutes, guidelines and grants and a folder of Curricular Development Committee minutes, guidelines and grants.