Women's Club of the University of Rochester papers

By 1930, the University was spread across the city, with the Eastman School of Music, the School of Medicine and Dentistry, and Strong Memorial Hospital established between 1921 and 1925, and the College for Men and the College for Women separated onto two different campuses, the River Campus and the Prince Street campus, respectively. The expansion of the University led to an interest in creating opportunities for female faculty members and the wives of faculty to become acquainted with women across the institution. Organizational meetings for the Women's Club were held in March and April of 1935; they were coordinated by founder Josephine "Jo" Murlin, to whom the scrapbooks in this collection are dedicated. The first general meeting was organized by Marion Gleason and was held in honor of Harriet Seelye Rhees, wife of President Rush Rhees, and Thelma Faxon, Class of 1933. The group's constitution and by-laws were drafted by Ruth Hemenway, Ruth Merrill, and Clara Fenn. Article 11 of the constitution stated that "The object of this organization shall be to encourage wider acquaintance among members, the formation of friendships, and the sharing of common interests."

Interest groups were formed so that members could pursue shared interests or develop skills together. Varying over the years, these groups included athletics, books, current events, gardening, languages, bridge, "newcomers," the club's newsletter, and University services. In 1941, the club focused its activities on World War II efforts. They used their womanpower and resources to help hospitals and the Red Cross, organized two neighborhood groups, and met in the evenings to make surgical dressings. After the war was over, the club returned to its regular interest groups, which organized activities ranging from study groups, to the publication of the University directory, to faculty holiday parties, to fundraising for donations and financial aid for students.

In the mid-1960s, membership reached its peak at around 635 members. Committees were established to organize special events or to cultivate friendships within the University community. For example, Faculteeners was a committee that brought the teenaged children of University faculty and staff together through events (Junior Faculteeners being 7th-8th graders and Senior Faculteeners being 9th-12th graders). Another way the Women's Club encouraged friendship was through the International Hospitality Committee and Newcomer Hospitality Committee, which sought to make new faculty (men and women) and their spouses feel welcome through special events and mailings. Often "newcomers" were new to Rochester as well as the University, so the committee ensured they received a "Your Introduction to Rochester" pamphlet that recommended restaurants and services in town. (Copies can be found in the collection.) Committees were also created to organize events that supported the University, such as a reception for freshmen and their parents and commencement receptions.

Some sub-organizations developed as branches of the club, and these often had their own executive boards. The garden interest group, which had the most members of all the interest groups, evolved into a sub-organization, the University Garden Club. Another example was the Dames (earlier known as Junior Women's Club), a group created for female graduate students and wives of graduate students. Similarly, the Aesculapians were a group for staff wives, graduate students, and fellows at the medical school. Meanwhile, the executive board organized several events for all members. The end-of-the-year annual meeting, a special luncheon often held at the Country Club of Rochester, for example, brought together members from throughout the club. At this event, each of the officers and committee chairs would share the achievements of their group through annual reports.

In 1978, a gala at Sibley's department store was organized to fund the Susan B. Anthony Scholarship, an undergraduate University scholarship. Much planning went into this event, which featured research done in Strong Memorial Hospital, exhibits from the Memorial Art Gallery, University theater group sets and costumes, and Eastman School performances. The following year a champagne gala was held to raise funds for the scholarship, and from then on efforts towards this scholarship became an important part of the club's mission. In 1985, President Mary Flatley noted that members were expressing more interest in administrative tasks, including organizing fundraisers, than in hostess tasks. She also noted that group activities were shifting to the afternoon to accommodate the schedules of women in the workforce. The group adapted along with its members' needs and interests, and the scholarship program continued to be a focal point. In 1989, a separate award, the Susan B. Anthony Prize, was established, and the club continued to raise funds for the both awards until 2018.

"The Women's Club in a changing world does change" was stated in 1945 at the conclusion of the radio broadcast for the 10th anniversary celebration recorded by the five presidents from that decade. It was known since then that societal changes would have a powerful impact on the Women's Club. Women's roles in society have changed dramatically since the 1960s as more women have attended college, worked outside of the home, and pursued opportunities once viewed as male only. Taking into account these changes since the height of its membership, among other reasons, the executive committee voted to disband the club effective May 2018. As a final group activity, members created a quilt representing the history of the University, which was displayed in the family waiting room at Strong Memorial Hospital.