Association for Women in Communications student chapter records
Scope and Content
This collection contains the records of eleven student chapters of Theta Sigma Phi (the Association for Women in Communications) from colleges across Iowa and the United States, dating from shortly after the Association's 1909 founding through 1977, when the organization was known as Women In Communications, Inc. The chapter records include constitutions, initiate forms, correspondence and forms relating to annual activities, officer lists, and financial statements.
Dates
- 1910-1977, undated
Creator
- Association for Women in Communications (Organization)
Access Restrictions
Open for research; unprocessed collection. Materials have not been arranged or reviewed, and additional restrictions may apply.
Use/Re-use Restrictions
Consult Special Collections and University Archives. You must seek permission from Special Collections & University Archives staff before making any reproductions.
Biography/Profile
The Association for Women in Communications is an organization of college and professional women in the fields of journalism, broadcasting, and media; its objectives are to unite women in or planning to enter journalism or media, honor women distinguishing themselves in the field, improve working conditions in the industry, raise the standards in journalism and media, and to financially assist students in the field.
It was founded in 1909 as Theta Sigma Phi, National Honorary-Professional Fraternity for Women in Journalism, by women students of the University of Washington’s new journalism program. In order to be admitted, a woman had to be a junior in a media major with a C average in journalism classes, and a C plus cumulative average. The student was initiated and remained a member while in college: after graduation, the woman had to enter the media profession in order to be considered a professional member. Other chapters were created as early as 1910, growing to 47 chapters and 29 alumnae groups by 1950.
Professional chapters were named for the cities they were located in; student chapters, such as those included in this collection, were titled with Greek letters. In 1972, Theta Sigma Phi was renamed to Women in Communications, Inc (WICI), and the organization voted to admit men into membership. WICI was dissolved in 1996, reforming under the name Association for Women in Communications.
These files were received from the headquarters of Women in Communications when the records of the student chapters were microfilmed. A selection was made from these records and sent to Iowa State University Library Special Collections and University Archives.
Extent
7.14 Linear Feet (17 document boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Association for Women in Communications, founded at the University of Washington as Theta Sigma Phi in 1909, is an organization of student and professional women in journalism, broadcasting, and media. This collection contains the records of eleven student chapters formed in colleges across Iowa and the United states, between 1910 and 1977.
Arrangement
This collection is open for research but has been minimally processed. The information presented in this record is accurate to the best of our knowledge, but may contain errors.
It is organized by state, with Iowa schools first, and each school’s folders are arranged chronologically.
Alpha (University of Washington): Box 13 Folder 1 - Box 14 Folder 21
Alpha Chi (University of Georgia): Box 7 Folder 1 - Box 9 Folder 10
Alpha Delta (Grinnell College): Box 2 Folder 1 - Box 3 Folder 17
Alpha Pi (Texas Woman's University): Box 12 Folder 1 - Box 12 Folder 43
Alpha Rho (Drake University): Box 1 Folder 3 - Box 1 Folder 45
Beta (University of Wisconsin): Box 16 Folder 1 - Box 17 Folder 24
Beta Beta (University of West Virginia): Box 14 Folder 22 - Box 15 Folder 28
Omicron (Iowa State University): Box 5 Folder 5 - Box 6 Folder 27
Rho (University of Iowa): Box 3 Folder 18 - Box 5 Folder 4
Tau (New York University): Box 9 Folder 11- Box 10 Folder 3
Zeta (University of Oklahoma): Box 10 Folder 4- Box 11 Folder 26
Materials in this collection may be discarded during processing, and additional care or restrictions may be required during use. Staff may at any time restrict materials in this collection if it violates legal statutes, professional ethics, or donor stipulations.
General
Women in Communications, Inc, student chapter records
Processing Information
Released on 2021-01-07.
- College students--Societies, etc. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Greek letter societies--Iowa Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Greek letter societies--Iowa--Ames Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Leadership in women--Societies, etc. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Professional associations--Iowa Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Women college students--Iowa Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Women journalists--Iowa Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Women journalists--Iowa--Societies, etc. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Women--Societies and clubs Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- MS-0103. Association for Women in Communications student chapter records, 1910-1977, undated
- Date
- January 7, 2021
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
- Box: 1 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 2 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 3 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 4 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 5 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 6 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 7 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 8 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 9 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 10 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 11 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 12 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 13 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 14 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 15 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 16 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 17 (Mixed Materials)
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and University Archives Repository
403 Parks Library
701 Morrill Road
Iowa State University
Ames Iowa 50011-2102 United States
(515) 294-6672
archives@iastate.edu