Mrs. Genevieve Nelson donated the records of the American Association of the United Nations to the Western Historical Manuscripts Collection at the University of Missouri-St. Louis on Februaruy 19, 1979. The Greater St. Louis Chapter of the United Nations Association donated additional records on May 27 and November 24, 1986.
The American Association for the United Nations began in 1945 to promote international peace and justice through the educational activities of the United Nations. The Greater St. Louis Chapter affiliated with the national organization in the early 1950s. The Ethical Society of St. Louis had organized a similar discussion group in 1947. Officers of the 1954 U.N. St. Louis Chapter included Paul Rava, President; Carroll E. Nelson, Treasurer; Edna Gellhorn, Chair of the Membership Committee; and Joan Traylor, acting Executive Secretary.
In 1965, the St. Louis Chapter sponsored the first annual Midwest Model United Nations Convention held at Washington University. More than 400 students from 13 states represented U.N. member countries in a reproduction of an actual U.N. session.
The Greater St. Louis Chapter of the American Association of the United Nations changed its name to the St. Louis Chapter of the United Nations Association of the USA in 1965. The Chapter sponsored the first annual St. Louis Area Model United Nations for high school students similar to the MMUN for college students.
James S. McDonnell, president of McDonnell-Douglas Corporation, received the first International Cooperation award issued by the St. Louis Chapter at its annual dinner in 1965, proclaimed by president Johnson as International Cooperation Year. The Chapter continued to present the award whenever an individual exemplified the spirit of international cooperation. James S. McDonnell also was elected to the national board of directors at the UNA-USA's first biennial convention in New York later that year.
In 1956, the Chapter participated in a U.S. Foreign Policy series entitled "Great Decisions", sponsored by the Foreign Policy Association through the University of Missouri-St. Louis' Continuing Education-Extension Program. The St. Louis UNA-USA Chapter and the Greater St. Louis Council for Social Studies sponsored a series of workshops for teachers entitled "Teaching World Affairs" in 1967. Teachers received in-service credit for attending workshops designed to familiarize them with the U.N. A permanent center for the sale of UNICEF cards, calendars, and handmade items from around the world, opened in Webster Groves later that year. Money generated from sales at the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund shop went to provide equipment, food and medicine to maternal and child welfare centers.
The 1968 International Year for Human Rights marked the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. The St. Louis Chapter asked its members to write senators urging them to ratify the human rights conventions condemning genocide, forced labor, slavery, and endorsing political rights for women. The Chapter also participated in the "Saint Louis Conference on China" designed to give a greater understanding of policy alternatives facing the U.S. In 1969, the St. Louis Chapter held an open house commemorating Universal Children's Day. It served food from countries around the world and sold The Cookbook of the United Nations.
The St. Louis Chapter became one of the largest in the nation when membership grew to 800 in 1970. In the early 1970s, the St. Louis Chapter accepted contributions for the relief of Pakistani refugees and earmarked funds from UNICEF-related revenues to aid drought stricken parts of Africa. To broaden public understanding of problems of population and world hunger, the St. Louis Chapter sponsored a "Community Conference on Food and Population in 1975 with over 800 people attending.
The St. Louis U.N. Resource Center became the headquarters of the St. Louis International Women's Year Planning Committee after the United Nations designated 1975 as International Women's Year. The St. Louis International Women's Day Celebration held at the downtown YWCA opened the first city-wide event celebrating IWY with lectures and workshops on women's health and status around the world. In September, the St. Louis Women's Fair brought women together for a weekend from 60 area organizations and 40 craft groups in an effort to encourage support and communication. Booths exhibiting women's art, careers, and work in volunteer organizations, lined the De Mun area in Clayton.
A St. Louis U.N. Reform Committee formed in 1977 in keeping with a national effort to make the U.N. more effective in peaceably resolving conflicts outside the jurisdiction of national governments. The St. Louis Chapter and the World Federalist Association sponsored the first U.N. Reform National Convention at Maryville College in June 1977. Efforts to pass U.N. Reform legislation continued both nationally and locally in 1978.
The St. Louis Chapter sponsored a six-week lecture series in 1978 to increase its membership's understanding of global issues facing the U.N. Dr. John G. Stoessinger, a noted teacher and writer on U.N. Reform, lectured on differences between the Nixon and Carter administration's foreign policies. The Chapter and the National Board of the UNA also established "The Annual James S. McDonnell Lecture in the United Nations Studies for St. Louis Area Youth" in 1978. These lectures, held at different area schools, enabled the school to bring its students into close contact with a speaker on international affairs. The first annual U.N. Folk and Sport Festival featuring international food, music, and dancers took place at Tower Grove Park in October.
The U.N. General Assembly declared 1979 International Year of the Child. The U.S. Committee for UNICEF exhibited a special collection of paintings and drawings from children around the world entitled "Pictures from a Small Planet" at the Loretto Hilton Center Gallery at Webster College. Also in observance of IYC, the St. Louis Chapter sponsored an essay/poetry contest for primary and secondary school students.
Annual activities of the St. Louis Chapter have included observation of U.N. anniversary week, and "Trick or Treat for UNICEF." The Chapter's annual dinner has featured a prominent speaker on the U.N., and an annual statewide high school essay contest awards prizes to the top two essays on the United Nations. The St. Louis Chapter also has published a quarterly newsletter and maintained a speaker's bureau.
The St. Louis section of the UNA continued its efforts to promote international cooperation through the educational activities of the UN in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It established a Cambodian Relief Fund in 1979 to help bring food and medicine to the Cambodian people. The Chapter also proclaimed December 1979 Cambodian Relief month. In 1980, the St. Louis Chapter also supported Afghanistan Relief Week. It sold Afghan cultural articles at the International Gift Shop and donated part of the proceeds to the Afghanistan Relief Committee to help the Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
Also in 1980, Dr. Harry James Cargas, professor of Literature and Language at Webster College, received the St. Louis Chapter's Human Rights Award for his work to promote greater understanding of the Holocaust. Carlos Fuentes, noted novelist and diplomat from Mexico, spoke on human rights from a multi-cultural perspective at the Human Rights Award dinner.
In October 1980 the St. Louis Chapter dedicated its UN Day Program to the memory of James S. McDonnell, founder and chairperson of the board of the McDonnell Douglas Corporation, who died in August of that year. As former United Nations Association National Chairperson and Honorary Chair of the St. Louis Chapter, McDonnell supported research into ways to improve the U.N.'s effectiveness.
The U.N. General Assembly declared 1981 the International Year For Disabled Persons. The St. Louis Chapter, along with Paraquad and the Easter Seal Society conducted a conference entitled "Independent Living: An Affirmation of Human Rights." The conference acknowledged the rights of disabled persons, and informed St. Louisans of the many possibilities for enriching the lives of the disabled.
Max J. Starkloff, International Year For Disabled Persons chairperson, received the Chapter's Human Rights Award in 1981 for his work to increase awareness of the capacity of disabled persons to lead full and productive lives.
In 1982, the St. Louis Chapter joined with other local environmental groups in sponsoring a natural resources conference entitled " Global 2000." Biological scientists Paul and Anne Ehrlich discussed the projected loss of one-fifth of the world's plant and animal species in the next twenty years.
The United Nations International Women's Decade ended in 1985. The St. Louis Chapter, along with local women's organizations, sponsored a conference in April to examine the advancement of women world-wide in the areas of peace, equality, and justice during this decade and in the future.
SCOPE AND CONTENT
The collection is divided into six series: 1) Administrative 1954-1978 (folders 1-34); 2) Activities, 1955-1979 (folders 35-80); 3) Photographs and Slides, 1960s-1979 (#s 9373-9412, folders 81-86) 4) Administrative Addenda, 1974-1986 (folders 87-109); 5) Activities Addenda, 1975-1985 (folders 110-154); 6) Photographs and Tapes Addenda, 1975-1984 (#s 10530-10536, folder 155).
The administrative series provides an overview of the St. Louis Chapter's organizational structures. It contains bylaws, financial reports, membership and committee lists. The series also includes board of directors meeting minutes, and correspondence and newsclippings on anti-U.N. groups (folders 26 and 34).
The bulk of the collection, the activities series, documents the annual activities of the Chapter, including U.N. Week, the Midwest Model United Nations Convention, "Trick or Treat for UNICEF," and the Chapter's annual dinner. This series also documents International Women's Year, the International Year of the Child, UNICEF gift shop activities, U.N. Reform efforts, and speakers, conferences, and workshops held throughout the group's history. Included in this series are the chapter's newsletters which document, among its history, the Chapter's various office locations.
The photographs and slides series document International Women's Year and the St. Louis Women's Fair activities including the signing of the proclamation for IWY in 1975 and U.N. Day in 1963. This series also documents the U.N. Folk and Sport Festival in 1978.
The addenda's administrative series includes meeting minutes, an application to the Arts and Education Council of Greater St. Louis, correspondence on St. Louis UNA Center building renovation, programming ideas, and reasurer's reports. It also includes a folder on past president Mary T. Hall's Globe-Democrat Woman of Achievement Award in 1979 and one folder on the World Community Center in St. Louis which the St. Louis UNA Chapter helped found in 1974.
Series 5 documents the annual activities of the Chapter including speakes and activities at annual dinner, UN Anniversaries, Human Rights Award ceremonies,and the James S. McDonnell Lectures For St. Louis Youth. This series also documents the St. Louis Chapter's conference celebrating the end of the UN International Decade For Women.
The photographs and tapes addenda's Series VI contains photographs of Human Rights Award recipients and Supervisor McNary and Mayor Conway signing proclamations for Cambodian Relief Month and Afghanistan Relief Week. Two tapes document a speech given by James Grant on world hunger at the 1984 McDonnell Lectureship For Youth.
SERIES DESCRIPTION
SERIES 1 - ADMINISTRATIVE, 1954-1978, FOLDERS 1-34
Arranged alphabetically. Includes annual reports, budgets, lists of the board of directors action, correspondence, and meeting minutes; financial statements, membership lists and mailings; letterhead; insurance and tax forms; and newsclippings on harassment and anti-UN groups.
SERIES 2 - ACTIVITIES, 1955-1979, FOLDERS 35-80
Arranged alphabetically. Contains correspondence, memos, press releases, flyers, meeting minutes, reports on U.N. Reform, invitations to annual dinners, lists of UN activities, proclamations for U.N. Day, International Women's Year and International Year of the Child, addresses, newsclippings, and newsletters.
SERIES 3 - PHOTOGRAPHS AND SLIDES, 1960s-1979, FOLDERS 81-82
Contains photographs 446.1-446.58
SERIES 4 - ADMINISTRATIVE ADDENDA, 1974-1986, FOLDERS 87-109
Arranged alphabetically. Contains meeting minutes, correspondence, financial statements, job descriptions and resumes, membership lists, memos, press releases, and a World Community Center brochure and bylaws.
SERIES 5 - ACTIVITIES ADDENDA, 1975-1985, FOLDERS 110-154
Arranged alphabetically. Contains correspondence, memos, press releases, flyers, meeting minutes, invitations to annual dinners, luncheons and conferences. Also contains proclamations for International Year For Disabled Persons, Cambodian Relief Month, Afghanistan Relief Week, and Human Rights Day. Includes speeches, newsletters and newsclippings.
SERIES 6 - PHOTOGRAPHS AND TAPES ADDENDA, 1975-1984, FOLDER 155, #s 10530 - 10536, TAPES
863-864
Arranged chronologically. Folders 155 photographs have been mooved to folders 81-82
FOLDER LIST
BOX 1 (45647)
SERIES I - ADMINISTRATIVE, 1954-1978
1. Annual Reports to National Office, 1967-1970, 1980
2. Board of Directors Actions, 1965, 1970, 1971
3. Board of Directors Minutes, 1954-1956
4. Board of Directors Minutes, 1957-1959
5. Board of Directors Minutes, 1960-1962
6. Board of Directors Minutes, 1963-1965
7. Board of Directors Minutes, 1966-1968
8. Board of Directors Minutes, 1969-1971
9. Board of Directors Minutes, 1972-1975
10. Board of Directors Minutes, 1976
11. Board of Directors Minutes, 1977
12. Board of Directors Minutes, 1978
13. Board of Directors Officers and Committee Members Lists, 1955-1969
14. Board of Directors Officers and Committee Members Lists, 1970-1979
15. Bylaws, 1958-1978
COMMITTEES, FOLDERS 16-19
16. Housing, 1967-1969
17. Library, 1965-1977
18. Special Events, 1966
19. Volunteer, 1968-1978
CORRESPONDENCE, FOLDERS 20-25
20. Board of Directors, 1965-1977
21. Carp, Larry (Pres.), 1963-1965
22. Frawley, Mary (Sec.), 1957-1969
23. Gellhorn, Edna, 1957-1968
24. Harrassment of St. Louis UNA Office, 1969
25. Income Tax Exemption Forms, 1964-1977
26. Insurance forms, 1963-1976
27. Letterhead, 1956-1968
28. Membership Lists and Mailings, 1963-1971
29. Membership Lists and Mailings, 1977-1978
30. National Office, 1965-1979
31. Plessner, Kal R., (pres.), 1966-1969
32. Treasurer's Reports, 1954-1974
33. Treasurer's Reports, 1975-1978
34. United Nations Information Council of Missouri, 1966
BOX 2 (45648)
SERIES 2 - ACTIVITIES, 1955-1979
35. Anniversary of the United Nations, 1957, 1960
36. Anniversary of the United Nations, 1965-1966
37. Anniversary of the United Nations, 1967-1968
38. Anniversary of the United Nations, 1969, 1970
39. Anniversary of the United Nations, 1973
40. Anniversary of the United Nations, 1974-1975
41. Anniversary of the United Nations, 1977-1978
42. Annual Dinner, 1955-1963
43. Annual Dinner Committee Lists, 1965
44. Annual Dinner Correspondence, 1965
45. Annual Dinner Honorary Chairmanship Correspondence, 1965
46. Annual Dinner Finances, 1965
47. Annual Dinner Follow Up and Yous, 1965
48. Annual Dinner, 1966-1978
49. Community Conference on Food and Population, 1974-1975
50. Community Conference on Food and Population, Education Material, 1976-1977
51. Community Conference on Food and Population, Eductional Material, 1976-1977
52. Human Rights Day - 11th Anniversary, Dec. 10, 1959-1976
53. International Children's Art Contest, 1978-1979
54. International Women's Day (March 8, 1975), 1974-1975
55. International Women's Year Newsletter, January-March, 1975
56. International Women's Year Planning, 1975
57. International Women's Year, St. Louis Women's Fair, September 13-14, 1975
58. International Year of the Child, Children of the Eighties Conferecne, December 7, 1979
59. International Year of the Child, Essay and Poetry Contest, 1979 and Music for UNICEF Proposal, 1979
60. International Year of the Child, Pictures From a Small Planet - Art Exhibit, 1977-1979
61. Midwest Model United Nations, 1956-1971
62. Missouri State High School Essay Contest on the United Nations, 1957-1970
63. Newsletters, 1956-1960
64. Newsletters, 1961-1969
65. Newsletters, 1970-1976
66. Newsletters, 1977-1978
67. St. Louis Model United Nations Law of the Sea Conference, March 10-11, 1978
68. Speakers and Conferences, 1958-1969
69. Speakers and Conferences, 1970-1975
70. Speakers and Conferences: Richard Gardner Luncheon, March 1, 1976
71. Speakers and Conferences: Richard Gardner Speech, March 1, 1976
72. Speakers and Conferences, 1976-1977
73. Speakers and Conferences: John Stoessinger, September 22-24, 1978
74. Speakers and Conferences, 1979-1985
75. Trick or Treat for UNICEF, 1967-1974
76. United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), 1969-1979
77. United Nations Folk and Sport Festival, October 21-22, 1978, 1979
78. United Nations Reform Meeting, 1977-1979
79. Water of the World Conference, March 9-10, 1978
80. Workshop for Teachers, 1967-1972
SERIES 3 - PHOTOGRAPHS AND SLIDES, 1960s-1979
81. Photographs 446.1-446.15
82. Photographs 446.16-446.58
Photographs from folders 83-86 haver been placed in folders 81-82
SERIES 4 - ADMINISTRATIVE ADDENDA, 1974-1986
87. Annual Meeting, 1978-1986
88. Arts and Education Council Application for Membership, 1977
89. Board of Directors Retreat, 1981
90. Building Renovation, 1983
91. Burglaries, 1978-1983
BOX 3 (45649)
92. Committee for the Opening of the UNA Center, 1977
93. Corporate Giving, 1975-1982
94. Executive Committee Meeting Minutes, 1981-1983
95. Expenditures/Gifts Reports, 1978-1981
96. Flags, 1977-1978
97. General Correspondence, 1977-1984
98. Gift Shop Director Job Description and Resumes, 1981
99. Hall, Mary Taussig (Women of Achievement Award), 1978-1979
100. Internships, 1977
101. McDonnell, James S. Contributions, 1976-1977
102. Membership Drive, 1979-1981
103. Midwest Model UN Request for Funding, 1977-1978
104. Programming, 1977-1980
105. Public Meetings Committee, 1977-1979
106. Public Relations, 1976-1982
107. Review of Accounting System, 1981
108. Treasurer's Reports, 1980-1981
109. World Community Center, 1974-1986
SERIES 5 - ACTIVITIES ADDENDA, 1975-1985
110. Afghanistan Relief Committee, March-July, 1980
111. Anniversary of the United Nations, 1979
112. Anniversary of the United Nations, 1980
113. Anniversary of the United Nations, 1981
114. Anniversary of the United Nations, Speaker Richard N. Gardner, 1981
115. Annual Dinner, 1980
116. Annual Dinner, 1981
117. Cambodian Relief, 1979-1980
118. Crime Prevention Congress, 1975-1979
119. Global 2000 Conference, 1982
120. Hester, James M. (Luncheon), 1980
121. Human Rights Day, 1979-1980
122. Human Rights Day, 1981
123. Hunger Report Seminar, 1980
124. Intercultural Education Programs, 1977-1981
125. International Folklore Federation of St. Louis, 1975-1977
126. International Year of Disabled Persons, 1979-1980
127. Japan - United States Trade Conference, 1979-1980
128. Legislative Liaison Committee, 1977-1981
129. McDonnell, James S. - Lecture for St. Louis Youth, 1979
130. McDonnell, James S. - Lecture for St. Louis Youth, 1980
131. McDonnell, James S. - Lecture for St. Louis Youth, 1981
132. McDonnell, James S. - Lecture for St. Louis Youth, 1982
133. McDonnell, James S. - Lecture for St. Louis Youth, 1983
134. McDonnell, James S. - Lecture for St. Louis Youth, 1984
135. McDonnell, James S. - Tribute, 1980
136. National Adult Education Conference, 1980
137. National Catholic Education Conference, 1978-
138. Newsletters, Fall 1979, Fall 1980, Spring 1981, Winter 1982
139. Nuclear Arms Control, 1981-1983
140. Peace Research: George Washington Peace Academy, 1976
141. Publicity, 1979-1984
142. Ramphal, Sir Shridath, Dinner Planning, 1981
BOX 4 (45650)
143. Ramphal, Sir Shridath, Correspondence, 1981
144. Ramphal, Sir Shridath, Invitations, 1981
145. Ramphal, Sir Shridath, Speech to UNA - St. Louis and St. Louis Bar Association, 1981
146. Re-thinking National Security Conference, 1981
147. Richard, Ivor, Dinner, 1979
148. Science and Technology Conference, 1978
149. Sino-American Normalization Conference, 1980
150. Speakers and Conferences, miscellaneous, 1980-1985
151. Substantive Issues Committee, 1977
152. United Nations at 35 Project, 1979-1981
153. United Nations Decade for Women, 1984-1985
154. United Nations Visit to Missour8i, 1977
SERIES 6 - PHOTOGRAPHS AND TAPES ADDENDA, 1975-1984
155. Photographs have been placed in folders 81-82
TAPES 863-864
INDEX
Afghanistan Relief, f. 110, 155
American Friends Service Committee, f. 21
American Association for the United Nations, f. 1-1556
Brown, Dr. Noel, f. 131
Cambodia Relief Fund, f. 117, 155
Cargas, Dr. Harry James, f. 121
Carp, Larry, f. 21
"Children of the Eighties Conference," f. 58
Crime Prevention, f. 118
Education, f. 87-155
Ehrlich, Thomas B., f. 115
Ethical Society, f. 35, 49, 70-71
Food and Population Conference, f. 49-51
Food Day Fair, f. 30
Goreign Aid, f. 128
Fuentes, Carlos, f. 121
Gardner, Richard, f. 70-71
Gellhorn, Edna, f. 23
Global 2000 Conference, f. 119
Grant, James, f. 134, T863-864
Great Decisions '86, f. 109
Greater St. Louis Chapter of the American Association for the United Nations, f. 3-6, 13, 15, 21-23, 35-36, 42, 61-64, 68
Greater St. Louis Chapter of the United Nations Association of the USA, f. 1-86
Guze, Joy, f. 6-33
Hall, Mary T., f. 87, 89, 94, 99, 129-134, 141
Hester, James M., f. 120
Hornback, James, f. 49, 70-71
Human Rights, f. 1-155
Human Rights Day, f. 52, 121-123
Hunger, f. 110, 117, 124, 134, 138
International Cooperation Year, f. 6, 28, 36, 42-48, 68
International Peace, f. 1-155
International Women's Day, f. 54
International Women's Year, f. 54-57
International Year For Disabled Persons, f. 123, 126, 155
International Year of the Child, f. 58-60
Jacobs, Sydney, f. 78
Laue, James H., f. 139
McDonnell, James S., f. 42-48, 63-66, 101, 111-116, 129-135
Midwest Model United Nations, f. 61-66
Missouri State High School Essay Contest on the United Nations, f. 62
Muller, Dr. Robert, f. 130
National Security, f. 141
Oberbeck, Rita, f. 21
Peace, f. 1-155
Pepper, Dr. Anita, f. 58
Rather, Robert M., f. 116
Roosevelt, Eleanor, f. 52
Roudebush, Mrs. George, f. 3-12
St. Louis Association of Colored Women's Clubs, Inc., f. 21
St. Louis Chapter ofthe Afghanistan Relief Committee, f. 110, 155
St. Louis Committee for United Nations Reform, f. 65-66, 78
St. Louis Conference on China, f. 68
St. Louis Council of World Affairs, f. 74
St. Louis World Food Program, f. 49-51
Schwartz, Eugene P., f. 118
Reverend Shocklee, John H., f. 52
Stoessinger, John G., f. 129
Tinker, Leonard, f. 21
Trick or Treat for UNICEF, f. 75
United Nations Association of the USA, f. 1-155
Unations Nations Association, St. Louis Chapter, f. 1-155
United Nations Decade for Women, f. 152
United Nations Folk and Sport Festival, f. 77, 84
United Nations Information Council, f. 34
United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), f. 1-155
United Nations Reform, f. 65-66, 78
United Nations University, f. 121
Voluntarism, f. 1-154
Waters of the World Conference, f. 79
Wilson, Margaret Bush, f. 123, 155
World Community Center of St. Louis, f. 74, 109
World Federalists Association of Greater St. Louis, f. 68, 78
World Federation of United Nations Association, f. 118
Yost, Charles W., f. 141
STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MISSOURI RESEARCH CENTER-ST. LOUIS
222 THOMAS JEFFERSON LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-ST. LOUIS
8001 NATURAL BRIDGE ROAD
ST. LOUIS, MO 63121
(314) 516-5143
FAX: (314) 516-5853
whmc@umsl.edu