Women鈥檚 History Sources at The McCall Library
Women at an electric company demonstration, c. 1935. Erik Overbey Collection.
This guide provides a brief description of each collection The McCall Library has associated with women's history, including dates and sizes. This particular section describes the material we hold related to women's organizations. Please click on one of the highlighted links for the primary sources of individuals and business, legal, and governmental entities, and for other secondary sources.
For more information about these collections please email us at mccalllib@southalabama.edu.
This guide was prepared by Delene Case (2004).
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Organizations
Ahavas Chesed Synogogue Records (1923-1985)
Accession: 96-09-302
Size of Collection: 9 linear feet
Contained within the records of Synagogue Ahavas Chesed are Sisterhood and Hadassah yearbooks and material related to Bat Mitzvahs.
American Association of University Women (1936-2005)
Accession: 90-09-209
Size of Collection: 10 linear feet
The records of the local chapter of the AAUW contain meeting minutes (general, board, and executive board), correspondence, annual reports, treasurer's records, bank statements, yearbooks, membership lists, and topical files. Some of the topics include education, ERA, Historic Church tours, Mobile Historic Development Commission, scholarships, social studies, and writing contests. Materials are periodically added to the collection.
As You Like it Club (1973-1987)
Accession: 98-08-337
Size of Collection: 1 pamphlet box
This organization was founded by Mrs. Hazel Belle Inge on October 10, 1914 as a reading and study club. The collection consists of year-long programs from 1973 until 1987. The study programs have focused on a variety of topics, including culture, history, industry, and sociology. The programs also include the constitution, by-laws, and history of the organization.
Azalea City Quilters Guild (1980-2007)
Accession: 07-07-475
Size of Collection: 11 linear feet
Established in 1980 by a small group of local women, the Azalea City Quilters Guild has held quilt shows since its second year. The group also holds workshops and donates quilts for fundraising to various local charities, including the Ronald McDonald House and Project Linus. This collection consists of organizational records, photographs, scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, quilt show programs, quilt patterns, correspondence, and other memorabilia collected by members of the group.
Downtown Servicemen's Center (1942-1945)
Accession: 96-16-316
Size of Collection: .5 linear foot (microfilmed)
The center was located at the St. Francis Street Methodist Church during World War II. The purpose was to provide a "home-like lounge, rooms, social and recreational activities for Service Men of the United States." Kathryn de Celle was the Hostess-Director of the center. Many local Mobile churches also contributed financially to the Servicemen's Center. An album kept by the center contains photographs, correspondence, news clippings, and programs.
Forum Club (1928-2004)
Accession: 04-09-415
Size of Collection: 6 linear feet
The Forum Club was founded by Hazel Belle (Mrs. H. T.) Inge in November 1928, and was affiliated with the Woman's Clubhouse Association. The Forum Club's purpose was "to meet and discuss the current events of the day," and to "learn to speak with force and effectiveness on topics without embarrassment." The club's records include correspondence, meeting minutes, financial records, and scrap books. The scrap books contain annual histories of the organization, news clippings, and photos of members.
Junior League of Mobile (1926-2009)
Accession: 10-09-522
Size of Collection: 44 linear feet
The Junior League of Mobile was originally founded in 1925 as the Mobile Charity League. In 1932 it was incorporated into the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI). The Junior League is committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through effective action and leadership. The Junior League of Mobile Records contain correspondence, minutes, publications, photographs, scrapbooks, and subject files detailing the operations of the organization from its founding through 2009. The subject files contain a great deal of information about volunteerism in post-World War II Mobile, particularly in the areas of children鈥檚 health and education. 44 cubic feet.
League of Women Voters (1955-2012)
Accession: 79-09-37
Size of Collection: 18.25 linear feet
The records of the local chapter of the League of Women Voters contains local, state, and national records, including correspondence, meeting minutes, annual reports, membership information, treasurer's reports, and newspaper clippings. It also contains information regarding a variety of topics, including elections, education, environment, healthcare, tax reform, welfare reform, and poverty. Materials are periodically added to the collection.
Mobile British Women's Club (1964-1994)
Accession: 96-09-315
Size of Collection: .5 linear foot
The Mobile British Women's Club was formerly The British Wives Club, and before that, The British Brides Club. The collection includes meeting notes from 1964-1994, correspondence, membership lists, community information, photographs, and newspaper clippings.
See also, Martha Mercer, "British Brides, American Wives: The Immigration and Acculturation of War Brides in Mobile, Alabama, 1945-1993," (M.A. Thesis, University of South Alabama, 1992) and oral interview tapes.
Mobile Female Benevolent Society (1831-1991)
Accession: 97-09-324
Size of the Collection: 2 linear feet