University Women's Club (Indiana University, Bloomington)

The University Women's Club was established at Indiana University on April 24, 1913, under the name of the Faculty Women's Club. The goal of the club was to hold social gatherings for members. In 1959 the group changed its name to the University Women's Club to avoid further confusion with the Women's Faculty Club.

From the description of Indiana University Women's Club records, 1913-2004, bulk 1940-1975. (Indiana University). WorldCat record id: 719450778

The Faculty Women's Club was organized on April 24, 1913 by a group of 45 faculty wives as a social organization for the wives of faculty members and for women in the faculty. The group began with 76 dues paying members, which would increase to over three hundred members by 1950. Over the years it became a requirement for members of the Faculty Women's Club to either be a member of the University Club or have a spouse as a member of the University Club. The name of the organization was changed in 1959 to the University Women's Club to avoid further confusion with the Women's Faculty Club.

The University Women’s Clubs’ primary activities revolved around planning and holding social gatherings for members. The club held eight monthly meetings per year, from October through May. Over the years they organized a series of events, including Christmas parties, February Dinners, teas, tours, speakers, and skits. Several prominent people spoke to the club, including the poet Robert Frost, Herman B Wells, and Henry Radford Hope. The club also donated time and money to philanthropic causes, especially during the First World War and the Second World War.

When organized in 1913, the club was headed by an executive committee of three. Later, the executive functions were directed by a president, secretary, and treasurer. By 1965, the club had become so large that the officers included a president, three vice-presidents, a recording secretary, a corresponding secretary, a treasurer, a parliamentarian, a publicity chairman, a program chairman, a social chairman, and advisors for the Newcomers Club and the Dames Club.

From the guide to the Indiana University Women's Club records, 1913-2004, bulk 1940-1975, (Indiana University Office of University Archives and Records Management http://www.libraries.iub.edu/archives)