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Women in Communications, Inc. Albuquerque Professional Chapter Records

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-424-BC

Scope and Content

The collection consists of the records of the Albuquerque chapter of Women in Communications, Inc. and its predecessor, the honorary journalism society, Theta Sigma Phi. The collection consists of nine folders of newspaper clippings, correspondence, newsletters, and organizational material from Theta Sigma Phi and Women In Communications, Inc., as well as two scrapbooks of material about Theta Sigma Phi and its activities between 1956 and 1972.

Dates

  • 1956-1994

Language of Materials

English.

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.

Biography/History

The national Theta Sigma Phi was formed by seven women in journalism school at the University of Washington in Seattle, in 1909. As an honorary journalism fraternity, its goals were to advance journalism careers for women and to encourage women's writing. The founders started a magazine called The Matrix, a Magazine for Women Journalists in 1915 to share information about the activities of the organization and issues facing women journalists. The new organization grew quickly, attracting five hundred members and fourteen university-based chapters by 1918. Through the 1920s, alumni chapters also appeared and by 1940 thirty-nine campus chapters and twenty-three alumni chapters existed throughout the United States.

In 1972, the organization changed its name to 'Women in Communications, Inc.' and opened its doors to men. The name was changed in part to distance itself from other campus Greek societies and sororities. The group became active politically during the 1970s. The Matrix ran stories concerning violence on campuses, pollution, and racial issues. The group championed causes such as women's rights by supporting the Equal Rights Amendment.

The collection was formerly called Theta Sigma Phi Records.

Extent

1 box (1 cu. ft.)

Abstract

The Women in Communications collection consists of newspaper clippings, flyers, invitations, and scrapbooks related to the Albuquerque Chapter of Women in Communications, which was previously called Theta Sigma Phi.

Related Material

New Mexico Press Women Records. Center for Southwest Research. University of New Mexico.

Relevant Secondary Sources

  • Goff, Victoria. "Association for Women in Communications, 1909-Present (Formerly Theta Sigma Phi and Women in Communications, Inc.)," in Elizabeth Burt, Women's Press Organizations, 1881-1999, pp. 11-20. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2000.
Title
Finding aid of the Women in Communications, Inc. Albuquerque Professional Chapter Records, 1956-1994
Status
Approved
Author
Processed by Tad McIlwraith, M. LaCroix
Date
©2002
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Revision Statements

  • June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//University of New Mexico::Center for Southwest Research//TEXT (US::NmU::MSS 424 BC::Women in Communications, Inc. Albuquerque Professional Chapter Records)//EN" "nmu1mss424bc.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
  • Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451