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National Association of University Dames

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: 1896 - circa 1976

Historical Information

The tradition of University Dames Clubs began with the development of the first such group at Harvard in 1896. As Harvard Dames moved on to other parts of the country they would start new chapters at the next university with which they were affiliated. These clubs were devoted to creating a sense of community between the wives as well as a source of social and intellectual development and philanthropic endeavors. The National Association of University Dames was founded in 1921 to address the growing need to better facilitate transfer of members among chapters and foster a sense of cooperation and communication between them. Due to the fact that individual chapters were quite small and with extremely limited resources, the possibility of annual conventions was unlikely; thus, the founding committee of the national association decided that the responsibilities of the national chapter would be carried out on a rotating basis by the officers of local chapters.

Citation:
MSP 146, Purdue Graduate Dames Club records, Purdue University Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Purdue Graduate Dames Club records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSP 146
Scope and Contents The Purdue Graduate Dames Club records documents the membership and activities of the Dames, as well as the activities of the National Association of University Dames.  The collection primarily reflects the general activities of the club and its board, with less information on the individual special interest groups.  It also documents changes in the club’s relationship with the university and in the club’s scope.  Unfortunately, there is no information from 1955-1960, and some years are more...
Dates: 1931 - 1964; Majority of material found within 1931 - 1955
Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections