Guide to the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Alaska records
1934-2001
Collection number: HMC-0680.
Creator: General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Alaska.
Title: General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Alaska records.
Dates: 1934-2001.
Volume of collection: 8.8 cubic feet.
Language of materials: Collection materials in English.
Collection summary: Primarily administrative records documenting the work of the Alaska affiliate of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs.
Organizational history:
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Alaska (GFWC of AK) is a state club affiliated with the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC), a national volunteer service organization. First organized in 1915 and admitted to the GFWC in 1916 as the Alaska Federation of Women’s Clubs (AFWC), the GFWC of AK elects its officers from members of affiliated local women’s clubs from around the state, and holds annual conventions. There are currently five local clubs in Anchorage, College, Haines, Nome and Seward. Club programs concern the arts, conservation, education, home life, public affairs, and international affairs.
Collection description:
The collection consists of the records of the GFWC of AK. The collection is divided into eight different series: presidents’ files, reports and meeting minutes, department and committee files, Alaska clubs files, treasurer’s records, publications, history and publicity files; scrapbooks; and artifacts. The records are not comprehensive in scope and primarily concern the period from 1955 to 2001. The presidents’ files cover the tenure of GFWC of AK presidents and generally contain correspondence, newsletters, club and department reports, meeting minutes, member lists, and convention materials including programs. The department and committee files generally contain correspondence, clippings, club forms and publications, and other related materials. The Alaska clubs files concern twenty-four different local clubs and contain such materials as correspondence, reports, meeting minutes and newsletters. The treasurer’s records include account books, bank records, reports, correspondence and various records for memberships, dues, income, expenses, and fundraising efforts. The publications, history and publicity files include publications, newsletters, constitutions and bylaws, member lists, directories, and files for special events and programs. This series also includes three videocassette recordings of an exhibit of Alaskan first ladies’ inaugural ball gowns mounted in Anchorage in 1999 and entitled, “Belle of the Ball.” The scrapbooks generally contain newspapers clippings, photographs, convention programs, and various other club memorabilia items.
Arrangement: The collection is arranged in eight series by record type.
Digitized copies: This collection has not been digitized. For information about obtaining digital copies, please contact Archives and Special Collections.
Rights note: Ownership and copyright to collection materials is held by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Alaska.
Preferred citation: General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Alaska records, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.
Acquisition note: The collection was placed on deposit with Archives & Special Collections in 2004 by the organization. A formal deposit agreement was signed in 2005.
Processing information: This collection was described by Jeffrey Sinnott in 2008.
Container list:
Series 1: President’s files; 1955-1999.
The presidents’ files cover the tenure of GFWC of AK presidents and generally contain correspondence, newsletters, club and department reports, meeting minutes, member lists, and convention materials including programs. 1.3 cubic feet. Arranged chronologically.
| Box/Folder | President | Date |
| 1/1 | Hazel Erwin: 1955 and Harriet Williams: 1956-1958. | 1955-1958 |
| 1/2 | Janet Barber. | 1956-1960 |
| 1/3 | Florence Martin. | 1960-1962 |
| 1/4 | Amy Marek. | 1962-1964 |
| 1/5 | Martha Craft. | 1964-1966 |
| 1/6 | Florence Parry. | 1966-1968 |
| 1/7 | Evolyn Melville. | 1968-1970 |
| 1/8 | Bettie Peck. | 1970-1972 |
| 1/9 | Diana Wade. | 1972-1974 |
| 1/10 | Arlene Rae. | 1974-1976 |
| 1/11 | Roberta Chatterton | 1976-1978 |
| 1/12-13 | Kay Linton. | 1978-1980 |
| 1/14 | Bobbye Young. | 1980-1982 |
| 1/15 | Doris Falconer. | 1982-1984 |
| 1/16 | Michelle Casano. | 1984-1986 |
| 1/17-18 | Gerrie Breeking | 1986-1988 |
| 1/19 | Pat Jones. | 1988-1989 |
| 1/20 | Barbara Wilkins. | 1989-1990 |
| 1/21 | Evangeline Landers. | 1990-1992 |
| 2/1 | Wilma Henderson | 1992-1994 |
| 2/2-3 | Sherry Shepard | 1994-1996 |
| 2/4-5 | Kathy Jannsen | 1996-1998 |
| 2/6 | Darlene Holt. | 1998-1999 |
Series 2: Reports and meeting minutes; 1958-1998. 0.7 cubic feet.
Arranged chronologically.
| Box/Folder | Description | Date |
| 2/7 | Reports. | 1958-1960 |
| 2/8 | Monthly reports. | 1960-1962 |
| 2/9 | Monthly reports. | 1962-1964 |
| 2/10 | President’s reports. | 1960-1968 |
| 2/11 | District meeting reports. | 1969 |
| 2/12 | Department reports. | 1992-1993 |
| 2/13 | State and club department reports. | 1993 |
| 2/14 | Department reports. | 1993-1994 |
| 2/15 | Reports. | 1993-1994 |
| 2/16 | Reports. | 1994-1996 |
| 2/17-18 | Meeting minutes. | 1992-1996 |
| 2/19 | Meeting minutes and reports. | 1997 |
Series 3: Department and committee files; 1958-1990.
The department and committee files generally contain correspondence, clippings, club forms and publications, and other related materials. 0.4 cubic feet. Arranged alphabetically by subject.
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 3/1 | Bicentennial. | 1974-1975 |
| 3/2 | Communications Dept. Publicity Division. | 1957-1959 |
| 3/3 | Community Affairs Dept. Community Service Division. | 1956-1959 |
| 3/4 | Community improvement program. | 1962-1970 |
| 3/5 | Community improvement program, GFWC/Sears Roebuck and Co. | 1976 |
| 3/6 | Conservation of Natural Resources Department. | 1956-1964 |
| 3/7 | Conservation Department. | 1976 |
| 3/8 | Education Department. | 1955-1962, 1969-1972 |
| 3/9 | Education Department. | 1975-1976 |
| 3/10 | Energy Division. | 1978-1979 |
| 3/11 | Fine Arts. | 1960-1962 |
| 3/12 | Hallmark art talent contest for high school seniors. | 1960-1967 |
| 3/13 | Legislative. | 1967 |
| 3/14 | Mildred Hermann scholarship. | 1957-1990 |
| 3/15 | Mildred Hermann scholarship. | 1973 |
| 3/16 | Mildred Hermann scholarship. | 1974 |
| 3/17 | Mildred Hermann scholarship. | 1975 |
| 3/18 | Mildred Hermann scholarship. | 1976 |
| 3/19 | Mildred Hermann scholarship. | 1977 |
| 3/20 | Home Life Department. | 1960-1964 |
| 3/21 | Home Life Department. | 1976-1978 |
| 3/22 | International Affairs Department: CARE in Korea (includes 10 black and white photographs.) | 1959-1967 |
| 3/23 | International Affairs Department. | 1963-1964 |
| 3/24 | International Affairs Department. | 1976 |
| 3/25 | Parliamentarian and legislative chairman. | 1956-1957 |
| 3/26 | Project Committee. | 1966-1970 |
| 3/27 | Project Fund Committee (scholarships). | 1952-1960 |
| 3/28 | Public Affairs Department. | 1962-1964 |
| 3/29 | Rehabilitation gift fund. | 1958-1959 |
| 3/30 | Shell Oil Co. education program. | 1966-1970 |
Series 4: Alaska clubs files; 1956-1990.
The Alaska clubs files concern twenty-four different local clubs and contain such materials as correspondence, reports, meeting minutes and newsletters. 0.4 cubic feet. Arranged alphabetically by club name.
| Box/Folder | Club | Dates |
| 3/31 | Anchorage Woman’s Club. | 1962-1988 |
| 3/32 | Bethel Women’s Club. | 1959-1964 |
| 3/33 | Chugiak Ladies Club. | 1969-1990 |
| 3/34 | College Women’s Club. | 1955-1989 |
| 3/35 | Douglas Island Woman’s Club. | 1956-1969 |
| 3/36 | Fairbanks Woman’s Club. | 1958-1970 |
| 3/37 | Gold Nugget Club (Alaska boosters’ club in lower 48). | 1986-1990 |
| 3/38 | Greater Fairbanks Women’s Club. | 1985-1989 |
| 3/39 | Haines Women’s Club. | 1960-19983 |
| 3/40 | Hamilton Acres Woman’s Club (Homer). | 1966-1969 |
| 3/41 | Homer Women’s Club. | 1956-1969 |
| 3/42 | Juneau Woman’s Club. | 1956-1959 |
| 3/43 | Kenai Keyes Kountry Klub (Sterling). | Undated, 1986, 1989 |
| 3/44 | Ketchikan Woman’s Club. | 1957-1958 |
| 3/45 | Metropolitan Woman’s Club of Eagle River. | 1985-1990 |
| 3/46 | Nome Woman’s Club. | 1974-1989 |
| 3/47 | Past Club Presidents’ Club. | 1972-1989 |
| 3/48 | Palmer Garden Club. | 1957 |
| 3/49 | Seward Federated Woman’s Club. | 1957-1989 |
| 3/50 | Seward Woman’s Club and Seward Junior Woman’s Club (prior to Seward Federated Woman’s Club). | 1956-1960 |
| 3/51 | Sitka Women’s Club. | 1956-1988 |
| 3/52 | Skagway Women’s Club. | 1956-1968 |
| 3/53 | Valdez Women’s Civic Club. | 1957-1960 |
| 3/54 | Wrangell Women’s Civic Club and Library Association. | 1958-1988 |
Series 5: Treasurer’s records; 1934-1990.
The treasurer’s records include account books, bank records, reports, correspondence and various records for memberships, dues, income, expenses, and fundraising efforts. 0.7 cubic feet. Arranged chronologically.
| Box/Folder | Description | Date |
| 3/55 | Treasurer’s account book. | 1934-1960 |
| 3/56 | Treasurer’s file. | 1962-1964 |
| 3/57 | Treasurer’s file, administration, bank records, memberships, and dues. | 1984-1986 |
| 3/58 | Treasurer’s file, office supplies, travel, convention expenses, plate income, scholarship, postage and freight, gifts/donations, cookbook income, insurance income, pins income, interest income, and pins. | 1984-1986 |
| 4/1 | Treasurer’s file, bank records. | 1986-1988 |
| 4/2 | Treasurer’s file, cookbook, membership and dues, pins, plates, president’s expenses, and office expenses. | 1986-1988 |
| 4/3 | Treasurer’s file, ways and means projects and miscellaneous. | 1986-1988 |
| 4/4 | Treasurer’s file, banks records. | 1988-1990 |
| 4/5 | Treasurer’s file, scholarship account, cookbooks, dues, plates, ways and means, miscellaneous, plates, candy, president’s expenses, reports, and membership lists. | 1988-1990 |
| 4/6 | Treasurer’s file, check register. | 1988-1990 |
| 4/7 | Treasurer’s file, correspondence, bylaws, and calendar. | 1988-1990 |
Series 6: Publications, history, and publicity files; 1937-1999.
The publications and publicity files include publications, newsletters, constitutions and bylaws, member lists, directories, and files for special events and programs. This series also includes three videocassette recordings of an exhibit of Alaskan first ladies’ inaugural ball gowns mounted in Anchorage in 1999 and entitled, “Belle of the Ball.” 0.5 cubic feet. Arranged chronologically.
| Box/Folder | Description | Date |
| 4/8 | Alaska Federation of Women’s Clubs, 1936-1937, bound publication printed by the Anchorage Times Printing Company, 128 pages. | 1937 |
| 4/9 | Early club newsletters and state presidents’ letters. | 1938-1939 |
| 4/10 | The Alaska Woman monthly newsmagazine, large format magazine published by Mary B. Pool of Juneau, 12 pages. | 1941 October |
| 4/11 | Club president’s letters and convention resolutions. | 1948 |
| 4/12 | Sixty Years of Achievement, 1890-1950, GFWC pamphlet. | 1950 |
| 4/13 | Statehood file, correspondence and clippings. | 1958-1960 |
| 4/14 | GFWC President Miss Chloe Gifford’s Alaska statehood trip, correspondence, news releases, certificates, 1 black and white photograph. | 1959 September 1-19 |
| 4/15 | GFWC national convention materials, programs, calls, resolutions, news releases, 1 black and white photograph. | 1958-1968 |
| 4/16 | GFWC constitution and bylaws booklet, 31 pages. | 1960 |
| 4/17 | State club directories. | 1960-1969 |
| 4/18 | Disaster fund to three Fairbanks area clubs, letters and postcards. | 1964, 1967 |
| 4/19 | State and club officer lists. | 1964-1990 |
| 4/20 | Centennial naturalization ceremony in Anchorage, letters, telegram, and program. | 1967 |
| 4/21 | Edna Apatiki Up with People, Inc. file, correspondence, receipts, newspaper clipping and 1 b&w photograph. | 1964-1990 |
| 4/22 | AFWC constitution and bylaws. | 1974 |
| 4/23 | AFWC officers and department chairmen lists. | 1976-1978 |
| 4/24 | AFWC clubs and presidents list. | 1976-1978 |
| 4/25 | Alaskan animals coloring book materials. | 1993 |
| 4/26 | GFWC of Alaska Executive Committee poll. | 1996-1998 |
| 4/27 | Feasting in Swaziland: a guide to improved nutrition, nutritional rehabilitation program at Emkhuzweni Health Center. Photos, nutritional facts and recipes were compiled by Janie Hickel, R.N., together with the help of the Emkhuzweni Staff of Nutritional Rehabilitation and the Primary Health Care Unit, photo-illustrated book printed with the support of the Anchorage Woman’s Club. | 1997 |
| 4/28 | Belle of the ball: first ladies of Alaska inaugural ball gown exhibit media scrapbook. Includes 10 color photographs. | 1999 |
| 4/29 | Belle of the ball TV feature story, KTVA-TV, Anchorage, VHS videocassette, 1 minute. | 1999 January 15 |
| 4/30 | Bell of the ball opening video produced by TCS Video Production Center, Anchorage, VHS videocassette, 15:50 minutes. | 1999 January 15 |
| 4/31 | Bell of the ball feature story aired on Weekend Edition, KTUU-TV, Anchorage: “First gowns,” VHS videocassette, 2:45 minutes. | 1999 January 23 |
| 4/32 | Unidentified photographs of award presentation, 3 color prints. | Undated |
Series 7: Scrapbooks; 1938-2001.
The scrapbooks generally contain newspapers clippings, photographs, convention programs, and various other club memorabilia items. 4.7 cubic feet. Arranged chronologically.
| Box/Item | Descriptive notes | Dates |
| 8/1 | Includes 73 b&w prints. | 1938-1945 |
| 8/2 | Includes 3 b&w prints. | 1955-1956 |
| 5/1 | Clippings from scrapbook | 1956-1959 |
| 9/1 | Includes 5 b&w prints, 23 color prints. | 1958-1960 |
| 5/2-3 | 88 b&w prints, 46 color prints. | 1960-1969 |
| 5/4 | 1966-1967 | |
| 5/5 | Clippings for scrapbook. | 1966-1967 |
| 8/3 | 6 b&w prints, 2 b&w proof sheets, 13 color prints. | 1968-1972 |
| 5/6-8 | 5 b&w prints, 56 color prints. | 1968-1975 |
| 5/9-10 | 97 color prints. | 1970-1971 |
| 5/11-12 | 98 color prints. | 1972 |
| 5/13-14 | 11 b&w prints, 62 color prints. | 1973 |
| 8/4 | 2 b&w prints, 42 color prints. | 1974-1978 |
| 5/15-16 | 3 b&w prints, 120 color prints. | 1976-1977 |
| 5/17 | 84 color prints. | 1978 |
| 5/18-19 | 1 b&w print, 328 color prints. | 1978-1980 |
| 6/1-2 | 1 b&w print, 250 color prints. | 1982-1984 |
| 6/3-5 | 1 b&w print, 225 color prints. | 1984-1986 |
| 6/6-7 | 214 color prints. | 1986-197 |
| 6/8-9 | 135 color prints. | 1987-1988 |
| 6/10-12 | 119 color prints. | 1988-1990 |
| 6/13 | 40 color prints. | 1989-1990 |
| 6/14-15 | 146 color prints. | 1990-1992 |
| 7/1-3 | 1 b&w print, 129 color prints. | 1990-1992 |
| 7/4-6 | 1 b&w print, 119 color prints. | 1992-1994 |
| 7/7-9 | 211 color prints. | 1994-1996 |
| 7/10-12 | 199 color prints. | 1996-1997 |
| 7/13-14 | 125 color prints. | 1998 |
| 7/15-16 | 71 color prints. | 1999 |
| 7/17-18 | 64 color prints. | 2000-2001 |
Series 8: Artifacts; undated. 0.1 cubic feet.
| Box/Item | Description |
| 9/2 | AFWC Embosser. |
| 9/3 | AFWC rubber stamp. |
| 9/4 | Alaska metal button. |
| 9/5 | “I Helped Build a Museum in Haines Alaska” metal button. |