Identifier
MA 15
Dates
1935-2007
Extent
1.42 linear feet (1 record box, 1 document case)
Abstract
The American Association of University Women, Brookings Branch, has played a significant role in advocating for women’s education, community involvement, and social progress since its establishment. The branch has actively engaged in initiatives such as supporting early childhood education, fundraising for scholarships, and promoting legislative advocacy for women's rights. Over the years, it has adapted to changing societal needs, organizing study groups, community programs, and fundraising efforts that reflect its commitment to education and civic engagement. Key figures such as Gertrude Stickney Young, the branch’s first president, and Vivian Volstorff, instrumental in its accreditation, have contributed to shaping its legacy. Through its work, the Brookings Branch has fostered leadership, provided educational opportunities, and influenced local and national policies.
This collection preserves the history and operations of the Brookings Branch through a range of administrative and historical materials, including reports, meeting minutes, bylaws, correspondence, and financial records. These documents reveal the decision-making processes, organizational priorities, and evolving initiatives of the branch. The collection also includes newsletters, event programs, and promotional materials that highlight the branch’s outreach and public engagement. Correspondence, news clippings, and a dismantled scrapbook provide additional perspectives on its advocacy and impact. Materials related to membership, fundraising, and policy development offer insight into its strategic and financial operations. Researchers will find this collection valuable for studying women’s organizations, grassroots activism, and the intersection of gender, education, and civic engagement in local history.
Historical Note
The Brookings Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) was established in 1931 with 37 members under the leadership of Miss Gertrude Young. In 1950, after considerable effort, the national AAUW granted membership to all women holding degrees from South Dakota State College (SDSC), retroactively and currently.
The branch engaged in various initiatives, including operating a private kindergarten from 1932 to 1941 before its integration into the public school system. During World War II, members contributed to the war effort by distributing rationing cards, participating in Red Cross work, and salvaging materials. Fundraising efforts supported the National Fellowship Fund through events such as bridge benefits, style shows and selling various items.
Scholarship programs were a priority, starting with a fellowship for a junior at SDSC. In 1962, the program expanded to include scholarships for high school seniors and incoming college seniors. Following Miss Young’s passing in 1964, the scholarships were renamed in her honor.
Study groups became a significant part of the branch’s activities, addressing topics such as child study, money management, and international relations. From 1963-64, study groups were structured around four areas: community problems, cultural interests, education, and world issues. These groups contributed to various action programs, including promoting educational television, distributing reading materials abroad, advocating for special education, and addressing urban space concerns, consumer education, and women’s rights. Legislative engagement, particularly in education and gender equity, remained a key focus.
Throughout the years, activities have been many and varied. One of the first programs was the promotion of a kindergarten. The branch operated and supported a private kindergarten in the basement of the city library from 1932 until 1941 when it was incorporated into the public school system. During World War II, the branch was active in projects to aid the war effort. Members helped distribute gas and sugar rationing cards, did Red Cross work and aided in salvaging materials such as paper and tin cans. Over the years, contributions to the National Fellowship Fund have been made regularly with the branch earning the money through many projects including bridge benefits, style shows, benefit movies, and through the selling of maps, engagement pads, books, calendars, and note cards.
Scholarship and fellowship programs have been of vital concern over the years. A small fellowship to a State College girl in the junior class started the local program. In 1962, the program was replaced with one that awarded a scholarship to a senior in high school and one to an incoming senior at South Dakota State College. In 1964, after the death of Miss Gertrude Young, the names of the local scholarships were changed to the Gertrude Young - AAUW Scholarships to honor the memory of the first president of the Brookings branch.
Over the years, study groups were developed and became more and important. In 1954, three groups - child study, money management, and international relations - joined two established groups - music and crafts. In 1963-64, a new structure was imposed on the study approach. The groups since then have centered in four interests areas - community problems, cultural interests, education and world problems. Many action programs have been the result of these study groups and other special concerns of the members. Some of these have been supporting educational television, promoting books and magazines distributed in foreign countries, and a resolution proposing a room for retarded and emotionally handicapped children in local school systems. Study groups have also concerned themselves with problems in urban space, consumer education, innovations and crises in education and values in society, science and the arts. Interest has also centered on the legislative process, particularly in the areas of education and women's rights.
Content Notes
This collection documents the activities and governance of the American Association of University Women, Brookings Branch, offering valuable insight into the organization’s role in promoting education, women's rights, and community engagement. It includes reports, minutes, newsletters, programs, bylaws, and correspondence, though no series is complete.
The collection provides documents related to the branch’s administrative functions, including annual reports, bylaws, financial and fundraising activities, and meeting minutes from both regular and executive board sessions. These records highlight the decision-making processes, organizational priorities, and project initiatives undertaken by members. Membership lists and reports on various projects further illustrate the group’s impact on local and national issues.
Of particular significance is the documentation on accreditation efforts, project initiatives, and study groups, which reflect the branch’s commitment to education and social advocacy. The history of the Brookings Branch contains valuable narratives on its founding and key figures, including Vivian Volstorff, who played a crucial role in the branch’s accreditation, and Gertrude Stickney Young, its first president. The collection also includes correspondence, news clippings, and a scrapbook that was dismantled for preservation purposes, offering researchers insight into the branch’s evolving role in civic engagement.
Newsletters and event programs further illustrate the organization’s outreach efforts and evolving priorities over time. Fundraising records, member surveys, and policy documents provide context for the branch’s financial and strategic decision-making. Photographs, brochures, and promotional materials add a visual dimension to the collection, offering a deeper understanding of the group’s public presence.
This collection is a valuable resource for researchers studying women's organizations, grassroots activism, and local history. It sheds light on the Brookings Branch’s contributions to educational initiatives, legislative advocacy, and broader societal issues, making it an essential reference for those examining the intersection of gender, education, and civic engagement.
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Language
English
Publisher
South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.
Rights
In Copyright This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). Materials in this collection may be subject to Title 17, Section 108 of the United States Copyright Act. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with copyright, privacy, trademark, and other applicable rights for their intended use. Obtaining all necessary permissions is the user's responsibility. Written authorization from the copyright and/or other rights holders is required for publication, distribution, or any use of protected materials beyond what is permitted under fair use.
Recommended Citation
SDSU Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, "American Association of University Women, Brookings Branch Records" (2025). Archives Finding Aids. 15.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/archives_finding_aids/15
