The Women's Council of RIT was founded in 1955. Inspired by Aileen Vanderbilt Webb's position as the first female trustee on RIT's Board of Trustees, Marcia Ellingson initiated the idea of forming a group for women who wished to play an active part in the RIT community. Unlike the Women's Club, which was founded as a social club for women in 1937, the Women's Council was started to directly meet the university's needs. The purpose of the group was twofold: to stimulate interest and promote understanding of the social, economic, educational and cultural programs of the Institute, and to supplement, advance, and enrich the welfare of the Institute's students, alumni, faculty, staff and Board of Trustees. In addition to raising funds for the university, members were expected to be "ambassadors" of RIT. The group was allowed to select one individual to serve on RIT's Board of Trustees. When RIT was located in the city of Rochester, members would open their homes for meetings, social gatherings, and exhibits. As of 2011, the Women's Council still played an important part in supporting the university and RIT community.
From the description of Women's Council of RIT records 1955-2010 (RIT Library). WorldCat record id: 755926783
