Special Collections Department
403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140

MS 35
Women in Communications, Inc. Ames Professional Chapter (Iowa)
Records, 1917-1980, n.d.

Descriptive summary

creator:	Women in Communications, Inc. Ames Professional Chapter (Iowa)
title:	Records
dates:	1917-1980, n.d.
extent:	3.36 linear ft. (6 document boxes and 4 half-document boxes)
collection number:	MS 35
repository:	Special Collections Department, Iowa State University.

Administrative information

access:	Open for research
publication rights:	Consult Head, Special Collections Department
preferred citation:	Women in Communications, Inc. Ames Professional Chapter (Iowa) Records, MS 35, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library.

Historical note

Women in Communications, Incorporated (WICI), originally called Theta Sigma Phi, was created in 1909 at the University of Washington in Seattle. It is a national organization for women in journalism and communications, now (2009) called The Association for Women in Communications. The original change in name from Theta Sigma Phi to Women in Communications, Incorporated occurred in 1972 when the organization wanted to get away from the sorority image the name implied. The Ames and ISU club/ chapters was an affiliate of the national organization. In 1969 the Ames Professional Club of Theta Sigma Phi graduated to Chapter status as the Ames Professional Chapter.

The Iowa State Omicron Chapter of Theta Sigma Phi was founded January 11, 1918. It was the first chapter in Iowa and the 15th in the nation. Members of the Omicron Chapter were writers for many of ISU's publications. The Omicron Chapter ran the Emerald Goose, a humor magazine, until 1922 when the magazine combined with the Green Gander. Both the Omicron Chapter and the Tau Chapter of Sigma Delta Chi ran the Green Gander together until 1960. Other activities of the chapter included running the annual Matrix banquet, working with high school students interested in journalism, bringing in speakers to meetings and other events, hosting various fundraising events and attending state and national symposia and conventions.

In 1958, alumnae of the Omicron Chapter at ISU organized the Ames Professional Club. The ISU student chapter often worked closely with the Ames Professional Club/Chapter. Each participated in and attended the others' events and activities, but the two organizations were separate groups.

The Ames Professional Club/Chapter programs included speakers throughout the year (most from the Ames community and Iowa State University), the annual fundraising Matrix banquet, community work, and national service projects. The monthly meetings usually included a tour and/or speaker. The annual Matrix banquet was traditionally observed nationally by Theta Sigma Phi chapters across the country and included a meal and speaker. Locally, the Ames Club/Chapter also presented the Matrix award at the banquet. The Matrix award was an award for excellence presented annually to a woman in the Ames area. Members also had the opportunity to attend the regional and national meetings, and the club/chapter often sent at least the president to one of these. The Ames Professional Chapter officially disbanded on May 31, 1980 due to the decline of active members. All available funds of the chapter were given to the Bess Ferguson Lectureship Fund in the ISU Achievement Foundation.

The Des Moines Alumnae Chapter was formed in 1919 by alumnae of university chapters of Theta Sigma Phi in the Des Moines area, and was revived again in 1947. It continues to the present day (2009) as the Des Moines Chapter of The Association of Women in Communications.

Collection description

The collection (1917-1980, n.d.) contains minutes, correspondence, newsletters, financial records, directories, annual reports, membership information, scrapbooks, news clippings, year-end activity reports, the Ames Professional Club's charter, the Omicron Chapter's petition to organize a chapter, and a few materials from the national organization (constitution, by-laws, reports, directories, correspondence, newsletters). The collection includes materials from the Ames Professional Club/Chapter, Omicron Chapter of ISU and the Des Moines Chapter.

Materials pertaining to both the Ames Professional Club/Chapter and the Omicron Chapter can be found in both series since members of both chapters often participated in the meetings, activities and programs of the other. The Ames Professional Club/Chapter series contains a folder (Box 5, Folder 11) of correspondence (1955-1960) in which Omicron alumnae discuss the organization of the Ames Professional Chapter. Directories of the Ames Professional Club/Chapter often include members of the Omicron Chapter. The reports are usually the year-end activity reports to the national organization and contain brief listings of finances, membership, programs, projects, scholarships, relations with the local student chapter, community and national service work, and publicity activities. Much of the correspondence is with national headquarters, but also includes correspondence of Ames and regional members. The 1980 minutes contain information regarding the disbanding of the organization. In addition to the club/chapter materials, the series also contains documents from the national organization sent to the club/chapter.

Omicron Chapter materials includes annual reports, by-laws, correspondence, membership rosters and directories, manuals, financial records, news clippings, meeting minutes, scrapbooks, a ritual manual, and the 1917 petition for the formation of the chapter. Included is a folder (Box 7, Folder 4) containing photocopies of records from the university archives collection of the Omicron Chapter (RS 22/5/0/1 under the folder entitled Theta Sigma Phi).

The Des Moines Chapter materials contain records from the National Office of the Association for Women in Communications relating to the Des Moines area chapter, including correspondence, annual reports, by-laws, membership information, and newsletters. The files are in their original order.

For related collections, please see the records of the student chapter of Theta Sigma Phi and Women in Communications, Inc. in the University Archives, RS 22/5/0/1. For a related film, see the Iowa State campus film presented by the Omicron Chapter entitled "From pin feathers to plumes" (circa 1940), call number 8-0092. The short film shows the work of Home Economics Journalism students as they lay out the ISU student newspaper, the Iowa Homemaker, working in a radio newsroom, meeting professional journalists, and their VEISHEA display.

Organization

The collection is organized into three series:
Series 1, Ames Professional Club, 1955-1980, n.d.
Series 2, Omicron Chapter of Iowa State University, 1916-1972, n.d.

Series 3, Des Moines Chapter, 1919-1975, n.d.

Description of series

Series 1	Ames Professional Chapter	1955-1980, n.d.
extent:	2.1 linear feet
description:	The series contains minutes, correspondence, newsletters, financial records, directories, scrapbooks, news clippings, reports, the chapter's charter and a few materials from the national organization (constitution, by-laws, reports, directories, correspondence, newsletters). Much of the correspondence is with national headquarters, but also includes correspondence between Ames and regional members. One of the correspondence folders (Box 5, Folder 11) contains correspondence documenting the creation of the Ames Professional Chapter by alumnae of the Omicron Chapter of ISU. The Matrix materials relate to the annual banquet/brunch held as a fundraising activity by chapters across the country. The 1980 minutes contain information regarding the disbanding of the organization.

Container list

Box	Folder	Title	Dates
1	1	National organization annual meeting: treasurer's report, vice president's report, statement of facts and figures	1967
1	2	National organization "State of the Fraternity Message"	1966
1	3	National organization constitution and by-laws	1959-1969
1	4	Cookbook: orders and articles for and about cookbook	1974-1975
1	5	National correspondence	1963-1969
1	6	State correspondence	1963-1969
1	7	Ames alumnae club directories: address requests for directories	1959-1970
1	8	Annual dues: correspondence and informational material	1958-1972
1	9	Financial records: account book and reports	1959-1974, n.d.
2	1	Membership: correspondence	1964-1974
2	2	Membership: lists and two manuals	1967-1974
2	3	Newsletters: Ames	1961-1978
2	4	Newsletters: local chapters besides Ames: Columbus (1962), Miami (1959), Des Moines (1962), Kansas(1962)	1959-1962
2	5	Newsletters: national	1968-1969
2	6	Organizational materials from national organization - includes charter	1963-1969
2	7	Pamphlets on Theta Sigma Phi	1963
2	8	Publicity: projects and newspaper clippings	n.d.
2	9	Rituals	1959-1967
2	10	Scrapbooks: newspaper clippings, photographs, and correspondence	1963-1968
2	11	Scrapbooks: newspaper clippings, photographs and correspondence	1969-1970
2	12	Social activities	1961-1967
2	13	Tax form information	1972
2	14	Treasurer: correspondence and memos	1969-1970
2	15	Chapter officers and annual national meeting delegates	1964-1970
3	1	Agendas: February and March meeting	1976
3	2	Bylaws: revisions	1966-1974, n.d.
3	3	Regional conferences	1970-1974
3	4	Correspondence	1972-1976
3	5	Finances: treasurer's report, receipted bills, statements	1972-1976
3	6	Master plans for the national organization: long and short range	1975-1976
3	7	Membership	1970-1973
3	8	Memoranda	1972-1973
3	9	News clippings	1971-1977
3	10	Newsletters: Ames Chapter	1973-1977
3	11	Newsletters: national	1975-1977
3	12	Newsletters: other chapters - Chicago, Des Moines, Minneapolis	1975-1976
3	13	Official election ballots	1973-1977
3	14	Professional Chapter President's Kit: success stories, sound-off, information and reminders	1973-1974
3	15	Programs: reports and correspondence	1969-1973
3	16	Projects: correspondence, news clippings (national and local)	1970-1977, n.d.
3	17	Regional meetings	1973-1974
3	18	Reports	1970-1976
3	19	National Theta Sigma Phi history	1966, n.d.
3	20	Student chapters	1970-1975, n.d.
4	1	Correspondence, new members, alumnae club activities	1960-1964
4	2	Correspondence, reports, by-laws, receipts of dues	1964-1969
4	3	Correspondence, reports, chapter officers	1969-1970
4	4	Correspondence, reports, newsletters	1971-1973
4	5	Correspondence, reports, newsletters	1974-1975
5	1	Matrix dinner plans: includes correspondence plans for dinner and speakers, reports, meeting agendas	1964-1973
5	2	Matrix invitations, programs, nametags	1959-1976
5	3	Matrix reports	1970-1974
5	4	Matrix brunch: correspondence with speaker, Dr. David Simmons (did not come) and George Mills, speaker	1971-1972
5	11	Correspondence: mostly about Ames alums forming another organization	1955-1960
7	3	Newsletters	1968-1972
8	1	Bylaws	1974-1978
8	2	Charter and petition	1969
8	3	Correspondence	1970
8	4	Correspondence	1971
8	5	Correspondence	1972
8	6	Correspondence (includes business reports)	1973-1976
8	7	Correspondence	1977-1979
8	8	Correspondence	1980
8	9	Financial records: bills, receipts, statements	1976-1977
8	10	Financial records: treasurer's and summary billing reports	1972-1980
8	11	Articles by and about members: Joy Banyas, Bess Ferguson, Nancy Fushon, Marge Graves, Annabel Liu, Elizabeth Perkins, Dorothy Shrader	1974-1977
8	12	Rosters and correspondence	1967-1978
8	13	Minutes (1980 minutes give information regarding disbanding of organization)	1973-1980
9	1	News clippings	1970-1977
9	2	Newsletters	1973-1975
9	3	Newsletters: Ames and ISU	1976-1980
9	4	Annual reports	1975-1977
9	5	National organization material: master plans, membership kits, manuals, reports, application forms	n.d.
9	6	National directory	1973

Description of series

Series 2	Omicron Chapter of Iowa State University	1916-1972, n.d.
extent:	3.65 linear feet
description:	The series contains annual reports, meeting minutes, by-laws, correspondence, membership rosters and directories, manuals, financial records, news clippings, scrapbooks, a ritual manual, and the 1917 petition for the formation of the chapter. Included is a folder (Box 7, Folder 4) containing photocopies of records from the university archives collection of the Omicron Chapter (from RS 22/5/0/1 under Theta Sigma Phi). Series 1, Ames Professional Chapter also contains information on the Omicron Chapter since the two organizations often worked together, attended, and helped organize joint activities.

Container list

Box	Folder	Title	Dates
5	5	Publicity clinic: correspondence, publicity, programs (3 8x10 b/w photographs, 2 contact sheets containing 12 images each)	1957
5	6	Valentine's Day Service (Tell Tale Heart Calls): instructions, numbered rhymes (to be sold), signs, orders	n.d.
5	7	Annual reports	1925-1969
5	8	Organization of chapter: petition for establishment of Theta Sigma Phi (student) chapter at Iowa State University, skit about the history of the Omicron Chapter	1917, n.d.
5	9	By-laws (revisions)	1959-1968
5	10	Correspondence (follow-ups on graduate members)	1940-1942
5	12	Student president's manual, information from national organization	1967-1969
5	13	Memorandum regarding regional meetings, event invitation, membership list	1969-1972
5	14	Financial records: includes receipts, deposit slips, invoices, ledger records and related correspondence	1958-1967
5	15	Financial records: includes tax information reports, income statements, accounting reports, ledger	1967-1976
5	16	Financial records: includes correspondence regarding audit, tax forms, written instructions for treasurer	1968-1971
6	1	Active Omicron chapter list, member photographs and campus activities (1 6x9 b/w, 1 8x10 b/w, 10 2x3 b/w photographs)	1958
6	2	Charter and rosters	1918-1964
6	3	Faculty advisor's manual	n.d.
6	4	Forms: includes application, initiation, report blank, sample initiation invitations, jewelry order, officers manual	n.d.
6	5	Initiation essays and ritual manual	1967, n.d.
6	6	Alumni membership card files A-M	n.d.
6	7	Alumni membership card files Mc-Z	n.d.
6	8	Student chapter membership	1967-1972
6	9	Minutes	1936-1944
7	1	News clippings	1941-1953, n.d.
7	2	News clippings	1958-1969
7	4	Petition for chapter establishment, VEISHEA project, news clippings (for original documents see RS 22/5/0/1 under Theta Sigma Phi)	1917-1971, n.d.
10	16	National convention (Cleveland, Ohio): roster, programs, luncheon agendas, news clippings, photographs (7 3x3 color photographs)	1963
11	1-2	Scrapbooks	1953-1966
12	1	Scrapbook	1962-1963

Description of series

Series 3	Des Moines Chapter	1919-1975, n.d.
extent:	0.42 linear feet
description:	The series contains records from the National Office of the Association for Women in Communications relating to the Des Moines area chapter, including correspondence, annual reports, by-laws, newsletters, membership information, and newsletters. The files are in their original order.

Container list

Box	Folder	Title	Dates
10	1-4	Correspondence, annual reports, membership, newsletters, news clippings	1919-1956, n.d.
10	5-8	Correspondence, annual reports, newsletters, membership	1956-1960
10	9-12	Correspondence, annual reports, newsletters, membership	1956-1960
10	13	Correspondence, annual reports, newsletters	1967-1971
10	14	Correspondence, annual reports, newsletters, membership, news clippings	1969-1973
10	15	Correspondence, annual reports, membership	1974-1975