Guide to the North Carolina State University Student and Other Organizations, Graduate Dames Records, 1948-1980

Descriptive Summary

Repository: North Carolina State University Libraries, Special Collections Research Center
Creator: Graduate Dames
Title: North Carolina State University Student and Other Organizations, Graduate Dames Records, 1948-1980
Call Number: UA 021.462
Extent: 3.5 linear feet, 4 archival boxes, 2 oversized flat boxes
Location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Special Collections Research Center Reference Staff.
Language of Material: English

Information for Users

Restrictions to Access: This collection is open for research; access requires at least 24 hours advance notice.
Acquisitions Information: Transferred by the Graduate Dames, North Carolina State University.
Preferred Citation: [Identification of item], North Carolina State University Student and Other Organizations, Graduate Dames Records, UA 021.462, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
Copyright Notice: The nature of the NCSU Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NCSU Libraries claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.
Processing Information: Processed by Lea Walker, March 2008

Encoded by Lea Walker, March 2008

Historical Note

In March 1948, Mrs. R. K. Waugh organized the Graduate Dames of North Carolina State College (later North Carolina State University) as a social and cultural outlet for the wives of graduate students. Six wives of faculty members were instrumental in the founding of the chapter. They were Mrs. H. A. Stewart, Mrs. D. B. Anderson, Mrs. J. H. Hilton, Mrs. Fred Barkalow, Mrs. D. W. Colvard, and Mrs. W. G. Cochran. The society became an affiliate of the National Association of University Dames when it ratified the national constitution on September 1, 1949.

The concept of an organization for graduate students’ wives had originated in 1896 at Harvard University. From there, the idea spread to the University of Chicago and later to other institutions across the United States. In the 1920-1921 school year, the independent wives’ clubs at the University of Chicago and University of Iowa corresponded with one another about their mutual aims and experiences. They wrote a constitution and founded the national society in February 1921. The constitution provided that the national headquarters would rotate from one chapter to the next, in order of constitution ratification dates. In 1933-1934, the University of Chicago introduced the annual yearbook, which included reports from each chapter on its activities. By 1967, the national organization had grown to ninety-eight chapters.

Initially, monthly meetings of the North Carolina State chapter were held at the Vetville YMCA, where program topics included cooking, care of children, and homemaking skills. In October 1954, the chapter organized a baby equipment loan program for all married students at the university, including undergraduates. Other service projects included clothing drives for needy children, holiday parties for children from orphanages, and funding drives for charities such as the March of Dimes and state mental facilities. The club also produced a newcomer’s guide to Raleigh, which it distributed to its members and shared with the State's Mates, a similar club for undergraduate married students.

In the 1960s and 1970s, the Dames printed several cookbooks and established a food cooperative for members. Annual fashion shows and craft fairs featured the sewing and artistic handiwork of members. Program topics broadened to address health and legal issues, consumer information, financial planning, substance abuse, job opportunities for women, equal rights, racial and religious prejudices, North Carolina literature and folklore, and international holiday traditions. Special interest groups within the chapter included a book club, a bridge club, and a swimming group. Covered-dish suppers, picnics, and parties included husbands and families in club activities. Membership in the Raleigh chapter was eventually extended to female graduate students.

In 1980, the North Carolina State chapter of the Graduate Dames disbanded, due to waning membership and interest. Remaining club funds were donated to D.H. Hill Library for the purchase of books to be used by graduate students.

Scope and Content Note

The collection contains the constitution, minutes, correspondence, work plans, directories, and publications of the Graduate Dames, a women’s social, cultural, and service society at North Carolina College State College (later North Carolina State University). Yearbooks published by the National Association of University Dames include annual reports from the Raleigh chapter beginning in 1951.

Organization of the Collection

The collection is arranged alphabetically by activities or functions and then by academic calendar year. Where multiple years are listed, there are some gaps in date ranges.

Online Catalog Terms

The following terms have been used to index the guide to the collection in the NCSU Libraries' online catalog.

Corporate Entities

Graduate Dames
National Association of University Dames
North Carolina State College--Students--Social life and customs
North Carolina State University--Societies, etc.

Topics

Clubs--North Carolina--History
Women--North Carolina--Societies and clubs--History

Related Material

Detailed Description of the Collection

Campus Organization Information, 1957-1980, undated [UA 021.462 Box 1, Folder 1]
Constitution and By-Laws, 1958-1970, undated [UA 021.462 Box 1, Folder 2]
Crafts, 1975-1977, undated [UA 021.462 Box 1, Folder 3]
Directories, 1948-1955 [UA 021.462 Box 1, Folder 4]
Directories, 1956-1960 [UA 021.462 Box 1, Folder 5]
Directories, 1960-1965 [UA 021.462 Box 1, Folder 6]
Directories, 1965-1969 [UA 021.462 Box 1, Folder 7]
Directories, 1970-1975 [UA 021.462 Box 1, Folder 8]
Directories, 1975-1980 [UA 021.462 Box 1, Folder 9]
Goodwife Applications and Diplomas, 1972, undated [UA 021.462 Box 1, Folder 10]
Fashion Shows, 1967-1971 [UA 021.462 Box 1, Folder 11]
Installation of Officers, 1970-1974, undated [UA 021.462 Box 1, Folder 12]
Meeting Attendance Lists, 1975-1980 [UA 021.462 Box 1, Folder 13]
Meeting Room Contracts, undated [UA 021.462 Box 1, Folder 14]
Membership Drive, 1979, undated [UA 021.462 Box 1, Folder 15]
Membership Forms, undated [UA 021.462 Box 1, Folder 16]
Minutes, 1959-1969 [UA 021.462 Box 2, Folder 1]
Minutes, 1970-1979 [UA 021.462 Box 2, Folder 2]
National Association of University Dames Yearbooks, 1948-1952 [UA 021.462 Box 2, Folder 3]
National Association of University Dames Yearbooks, 1952-1955 [UA 021.462 Box 2, Folder 4]
National Association of University Dames Yearbooks, 1955-1959 [UA 021.462 Box 2, Folder 5]
National Association of University Dames Yearbooks, 1963-1965 [UA 021.462 Box 2, Folder 6]
National Association of University Dames Yearbooks, 1967-1969 [UA 021.462 Box 2, Folder 7]
National Association of University Dames Yearbooks, 1969-1971 [UA 021.462 Box 2, Folder 8]
National Association of University Dames Yearbooks, 1971-1973 [UA 021.462 Box 3, Folder 1]
National Association of University Dames Yearbooks, 1973-1974 [UA 021.462 Box 3, Folder 2]
National Chapter Correspondence, 1948-1976 [UA 021.462 Box 3, Folder 3]
Newcomer's Guide, undated [UA 021.462 Box 3, Folder 4]
Newsletters and Publicity, 1973-1974 [UA 021.462 Box 3, Folder 5]
Newsletters , 1979-1980 [UA 021.462 Box 3, Folder 6]
Outlet Guides and Maps, 1976, undated [UA 021.462 Box 3, Folder 7]
President's File: General, 1954-1959 [UA 021.462 Box 3, Folder 8]
President's File: Newspaper Clippings, 1957-1958 [UA 021.462 Box 3, Folder 9]
President's File: General, 1960-1966 [UA 021.462 Box 3, Folder 10]
President's File: Newspaper Clippings, 1961-1962 [UA 021.462 Box 3, Folder 11]
President's File, 1966-1970, undated [UA 021.462 Box 3, Folder 12]
President's File, 1970-1972 [UA 021.462 Box 3, Folder 13]
President's File, 1972-1973 [UA 021.462 Box 3, Folder 14]
President's File, 1973-1974 [UA 021.462 Box 3, Folder 15]
President's File, 1974-1975 [UA 021.462 Box 3, Folder 16]
President's File: Newspaper Clippings, 1974-1975 [UA 021.462 Box 3, Folder 17]
President's File, 1975-1976 [UA 021.462 Box 3, Folder 18]
President's File: General, 1976-1977 [UA 021.462 Box 4, Folder 1]
President's File: Newspaper Clippings, 1976-1977 [UA 021.462 Box 4, Folder 2]
President's File, 1977-1978 [UA 021.462 Box 4, Folder 3]
President's File, 1978-1979 [UA 021.462 Box 4, Folder 4]
President's File: Correspondence, 1979-1980 [UA 021.462 Box 4, Folder 5]
President's File: General, 1979-1980 [UA 021.462 Box 4, Folder 6]
Program Planning File, 1973-1978, undated [UA 021.462 Box 4, Folder 7]
Student Union Meeting Regulations, 1963-1972, undated [UA 021.462 Box 4, Folder 8]
Technician Style Manual, 1969 [UA 021.462 Box 4, Folder 9]
What's Cooking?, 1976-1977 [UA 021.462 Box 4, Folder 10]
Scrapbook, 1972-1977 [UA 021.462 Oversize Flat Box 5]
Scrapbook, 1977-1980 [UA 021.462 Oversize Flat Box 5]