Associated Women Students records
Collection
0022-UA
Associated Women Students (AWS), formerly called the Women's League, was formed between 1953 and 1954 at the University of Maryland. A self-governing body of women students, the association's purposes were establishing and enforcing standards of conduct for women students; sponsoring cultural and social activities; coordinating women's activities on campus; and promoting the development of leadership, good scholarship, and self-responsibility among the co-eds. The records of the Associated Women Students consist of five scrapbooks dating from 1957 to 1961 and 1964 to 1967. The scrapbooks document the various activities sponsored by AWS and include minutes, by-laws, constitutions, publications, and newsclippings. There are also photos of individual members, group meetings, and various activities of the association.
This collection is open for research.
Photocopies of original materials may be provided for a fee and at the discretion of the curator. Please see our Duplication of Materials policy for more information. Queries regarding publication rights and copyright status of materials within this collection should be directed to the appropriate curator.
5.00 Linear Feet
The Associated Women Students records consist of five scrapbooks dating from 1957 to 1961 and 1964 to 1967. The scrapbooks document the various activities sponsored by the Associated Women Students and include minutes, by-laws, constitutions, and publications. There are also photographs of individual members, group meetings, and various activities of the association, such as the Orphan's Party and the Bridal Fair, dispersed throughout the scrapbooks. Newspaper clippings fill many of the pages, especially in the earlier scrapbooks.
Associated Women Students (AWS), formerly called the Women's League, was formed between 1953 and 1954 at the University of Maryland. A self-governing body of women students, the association's purposes were establishing and enforcing standards of conduct for women students; sponsoring cultural and social activities; coordinating women's activities on campus; and promoting the development of leadership, good scholarship, and self-responsibility among the co-eds. Every woman enrolled at the university was automatically a member of the Associated Women Students. The women students elected a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and various other representatives. In 1954, the association consisted of four divisions: the Executive Council, Resident Council, Campus Judicial Board, and Campus Academic Board. By 1959, the Resident Council had divided further into the Dormitory Council and the Sorority Council, bringing the total number of divisions to five. AWS was primarily concerned with the formulation, administration, and interpretation of the rules of social conduct as well as the planning of social activities. It also played an active role in the Student Government Association and was a recognized forum for women to voice their concerns and to initiate university-wide changes. Associated Women Students was also a member of the Intercollegiate Associated Women Students organization and participated in national and regional conventions. AWS was active until at least 1970, after which it was probably folded into the Student Government Association.
The collection is arranged in one series.
The records of the Associated Women Students were transferred to the University of Maryland Libraries by Fred DeMarr of the Stamp Student Union in 1992.
Filmoplast tape was used to secure loose items to the appropriate scrapbook pages. Any items that were too heavy for Filmoplast were wrapped in acid-free paper and replaced in their original positions. Photographs that could be removed from the pages were placed in small acid-free envelopes; these envelopes were then reattached to the pages with Filmoplast. Acid-free paper was placed between the pages to protect those photographs that could not be removed. Staples were pulled and replaced with plastic clips over pieces of acid-free paper. Heavy weight acid-free paper was used to buffer the front and back pages of the oversize scrapbook from its wooden cover. The four regular-sized scrapbooks were placed in heavy weight acid-free folders. All five scrapbooks were placed in acid-free boxes.
Part of the Special Collections and University Archives