Alumnae/i Association of Emmanuel College Records: Collection Overview

Title: Alumnae/i Association of Emmanuel College Records

Date: 1955-2023, bulk 1994-1996

Repository I.D.: US: MBEmm: AlAs-2024-1

Collection Call No.: AlAs-2024-1

Author/Collector/Creator: Alumnae/i Association of Emmanuel College

Location: Emmanuel Archives—Cardinal Cushing Library

Extent: .646 linear feet (22 folders, 3 boxes)

Language(s): English

Abstract: This collection contains administrative records and correspondence of the Alumnae/i Association.

Access Restrictions: 1) The collection is not restricted. 2) Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the Archives.

Preferred Citation:
[Item Title]. [Box Number, Folder Number]. Alumnae/i Association of Emmanuel College Records. Cardinal Cushing Library, Emmanuel College Archives, Boston, MA.

Related Collection(s):
Alumni Archives. Cardinal Cushing Library, Emmanuel College, Boston, MA.

Emmanuel Alumnae News. Cardinal Cushing Library, Emmanuel College, Boston, MA.

Emmanuel Alumnae Magazine. Cardinal Cushing Library, Emmanuel College, Boston, MA.

Emmanuel Alumni Publications. Cardinal Cushing Library, Emmanuel College, Boston, MA.

Emmanuel College Alumnae Association Periodicals. Cardinal Cushing Library, Emmanuel College, Boston, MA.

Office of Development and Alumni Relations Records. Cardinal Cushing Library, Emmanuel College, Boston, MA.
 

Provenance: Ther collection was donated, mostly, by the Emmanuel College Office of Development and Alumni Relations. It also contains records and correspondences to Lois O’Hara’s from the Alumnae Association.

Processed By: The collection was processed by Hannah L. Gershone, the Spring 2024 intern in the Emmanuel College Archives.

Biography/History: The Emmanuel Alumnae Association was founded on June 8, 1923, one day after Emmanuel graduated its first class of 26 seniors with A.B. and B.Litt Degrees. The College’s first Academic Dean, Sr. Helen Madeline Ingraham (1919-1950) helped to guide the new Association. Meeting in the library, the Association’s goal was to promote the welfare of the College and create a strong bond among alumnae. Beginning with a membership of 33 active members, alumnae were engaged in teaching, enrolled in Master’s programs, or active in their respective religious communities.

The Association’s original officers in leadership were Margret Higgins (President), Elizabeth Logan (Vice-President), Mary Brodbine(Recording Secretary), and Beatrice Hanz (Treasurer). By 1935, an additional six Directors had been added to the Officer roles and this governing group and was formerly titled the Board of Management. Board members were elected by active members of the Association (those who paid dues) for a term of two years. Active members paid dues every year, which gave them voting and leadership candidacy rights. By 1938, the Board of Management had been renamed to the Board of Directors.

From its inception, a core function of the Alumnae Association has been coordinating and hosting events for alumnae. The Association held its first Annual Banquet in 1923, which included the singing of Class Songs as part of the program. During Commencement Week, the Association would usually hold its Annual Meeting as part of the event programming, beginning with Emmanuel’s second Commencement in 1924. Local bodies of the Alumnae Association were divided into class or chapter groups (each with its own president) and developed their own programming and events. The Association formed the Emmanuel Alumnae News in 1935, which included upcoming events and activities such as study clubs, dances, fashion shows, teas, dinners, and luncheons. In 1939, the Association had grown significantly since its inception and established its first Alumnae Directory to facilitate alumnae connection.

Emmanuel alumnae were also invested in the welfare and success of students. The Association established an Alumnae Scholarship in 1935 for an outstanding incoming student. To support the vocational interests of Emmanuel’s undergraduates, the Board also motioned to create an Alumnae Council during its fall meeting on October 27th, 1935. The Board invited alumnae to serve as Council members, selecting alumnae that represented a breadth of professions. The Council held its first meeting on January 5, 1936, and would subsequently work with both faculty and students to provide vocational guidance. In 1937, the Association created the Appointment Bureau, which provided counseling, apprenticeships, and employment guidance.

Throughout the years, the Association has provided financial support for the College. As Emmanuel began making plans for expansion in the 1940s, the Alumnae Association’s Annual Fund in 1952-1953 supported the construction of building projects in the 1950s and 1960s. In a 1974 collaboration with the Alumnae Office, the Association began a telethon to raise fundsfor Emmanuel. This would later become the foundation for its successor, the Phonathon, with participation from the College community. Another successful initiative of the Association was the 1982creation of Network of EmmanuelWomen (NEW) that was designed to provide alumnae with advice in career goalsand the opportunity for professional networking. In 1983, the Student/Alumnae Association launched, which established a mentorship program that matched students with alumnae who worked in their field of interest and helped prepare women for the workforce.

Led by Lorraine Harding ’48 (Alumnae Association President 1995-c.1996) and Mary Sapienza ’66, the Alumnae Association News was launched in 1995. After Emmanuel College became co-educational in 2001, the Alumnae Association officially changed its name to the Alumni Association.

Today, the Alumni Association continues to keep classmates up-to-dateon numerous special programs and events, in addition to Reunion Weekend. The Association is governed by a Board of Directors in partnership with the College’s Office of Development and Alumni Relations.

Scope and Content: This collection contains material related to the Alumnae/I Association’s administration records and programming, including memorandums, correspondences, bylaws, meeting minutes, Association Board election ballots, expenses, and event ephemera (e.g., pamphlets, flyers). The bulk of the collection was created during the mid-1900s, as this was when Lois O’Hara (’51) served as the Alumnae Association Director and Bylaws Committee Member.

Collection Arrangement: This collection is arranged into three subseries: 1) Board of Directors, which contains material related to the administrative functions and programming of the Association Board; 2) Bylaws Committee, containing materials related to bylaw creation and revision; 3)Events, which contains material related to events organized by the Association.