Title: Women's Association Collection, 1927-2000
Show Historical Note
The San Diego State University Women's Association began as the Faculty Dames club in 1927. The club was established as a social organization to help faculty wives get to know each other. The club's first meeting was held February 4, 1927, where Mrs. Edward Hardy, wife of the university's president, was elected the club's first president. The seventeen charter members also elected a Vice President, a Secretary / Treasurer, and set the yearly dues at one dollar per member. Two hostesses were appointed to provide refreshments and entertainment at future meetings which were to be held at members' homes, as there was no place for them to meet on campus.
By-laws for the Faculty Dames were established in November of 1932. The group's objective was to promote education at San Diego state by providing scholarships and other charitable endeavors while promoting a more social campus. The group began working with the Dean of Women in order to help needy women students. The Faculty Dames set up a scholarship fund to help women complete their education. Many types of fundraisers were held over the years with proceeds going to their scholarship fund. The group even published four cookbooks in order to raise money.
In 1971, the Faculty Dames changed their name to Faculty Wives. They would change their name again in 1974 to Women's Club, before becoming the San Diego State University Women's Association in 1983. Membership in the group continued to grow, from 31 members in 1931 to 240 in 1970. Their scholarship fund also continued to grow and awards grew from $50 per student to $1500 per student. The SDSU Women's Association also donated to various campus groups such as KPBS, the on-campus Child Care Center, the Library, and the International Students group.
Women's Association Collection