A Guide to the North Alamo City Business and Professional Woman's Club Records, 1953-1992 (bulk 1968-1992)

Historical Note

The North Alamo City Business and Professional Women's Club (B&PWC) was established in September 1968, an official chartered club of the Texas and National Federations of Business and Professional Women. The club was sponsored by the Business and Professional Women's Club of San Antonio. The club's first president, Katherine Bischel, was presented with the club's charter at the Woman's Pavilion at HemisFair, the 1968 world's fair in San Antonio. The club began with 22 members, with 30 members by the end of its first year.

North Alamo City B&PWC was a member of District 2 of the Texas Federation of Business and Professional Women. It should be noted that the state federation reorganized its districts in 2003 from fifteen districts into seven regions. The club won a District 2 Award in 1973, and three North Alamo B&PWC members were selected as District 2 Woman of the Year (Katherine Bischel in 1972, Alice Bonsignore in 1974, and Marie Kelleher in 1980). Two members were elected District 2 Director: Patricia Grant in 1973-1974, and Doris Raforth in 1975-1976 and 1976-1977. The club achieved statewide recognition with two members' being selected as Woman of the Year for the State (Lt. Col. (Ret.) Patricia E. Grant in 1971, and Col. Marian Tierney in 1972); additionally, the club won the State Torch Awards in 1974. In 1977, North Alamo City B&PWC received recognition for holding a twenty-four hour prayer vigil at St. Joseph's Catholic Church (San Antonio, Tex.) in support of the Equal Rights Amendment.

Among the club's achievements was the establishment of their Career Awareness Program, the first inaugurated by a state club. The program sponsored Career Awareness Days at two San Antonio high schools: Burbank High School and East Central High School. The program also involved the presentation of two scholarships annually, "one to a young high school graduate and one to an older woman who wished to re-enter the business world." Additionally, the club would sponsor an annual "inspirational, educational and fun seminar" as part of the program.

There is no information in the collection regarding the club's disbandment, but the dates of the materials suggest that the club may have disbanded around 1992.

Source: North Alamo City Business & Professional Women's Club History, 1968-1985 and undated (Folder 1:11), North Alamo City Business and Professional Woman's Club Records, 1953-1992, MS 55, Archives and Special Collections, University of Texas at San Antonio Library.

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Scope and Content Note

The collection spans the years 1953 through 1992 (with the bulk of materials dating 1968-1992) and documents the establishment, functions, and district-wide, statewide, national, and international involvement of the North Alamo City Business and Professional Women's Club. The bulk of the collection is comprised of materials generated by the Texas and National Federations of Business and Professional Women, including newsletters, conference materials, and general procedural guides and manuals.

The history of the North Alamo City B&PWC is primarily documented in Subseries 2.1, with information on the club's charter and establishment, annual activity reports, anniversary programs, and correspondence and related documents pertaining to the club's Career Awareness Program. Subseries 2.2 provides a look at the club's involvement with the Texas Federation's District 2, particularly through conference materials. The club's relationship to the Texas, National, and International Federations of Business and Professional Women is documented chiefly through periodicals and conference materials. Periodical titles in the collection include Texas Woman, Texas Clubwoman, National Business Woman, and Widening Horizons.

The collection is arranged into two series: General Files and Business and Professional Women Organizations.

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions on these materials.

Usage Restrictions

Permission to publish material from the North Alamo City Business and Professional Women's Club Records must be obtained from the University of Texas at San Antonio Archives.

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Related Material

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Separated Material

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], North Alamo City Business and Professional Women's Club Records, 1953-1992, MS 55, Archives and Special Collections, University of Texas at San Antonio Library.

Acquisition Information

Received in April 1997 (Acc. 1997-009).

Processing Information

Processed by: Angela McClendon, Manuscripts Archivist, March 2008.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

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