For a list of the images in this collection click here and go to the WHMC photograph database
Also see collection number 9. Sheila Hoffmeister, member of Women in Communications, Inc., St. Louis Chapter, donated the records of Women in Communications, Inc., to the Western Historical Manuscript Collection, University of Missouri-St. Louis in January, 1980.
Theta Sigma Phi was a national fraternity for women in journalism founded in 1909. The St. Louis Chapter of Theta Sigma Phi was organized in 1923. Besides providing a professional network for women journalists, Theta Sigma Phi was also involved in civic and professional activities. Thetas conducted publicity workshops, cosponsored the junior journalist contest with Sigma Delta Chi (the men's national fraternity for journalists), and published Grand Views for Veteran's Hospital in St. Louis as part of the Hospitalized Veterans Writing Project. They donated books each Christmas to children's homes in the metropolitan area, and they taught writing-to-sell classes at University High School. In the 1970's the workshops and seminars focused on other media besides journalism and emphasized management and leadership training.
Since 1956, they have sponsored an annual spring luncheon, known as "Ladies of the Press," in which they honor women who have been in the news because of outstanding civic, professional or personal achievements. In 1964 they wrote and published the St. Louis Guidebook in commemoration of St. Louis' bicentennial. The national organization held two conventions in St. Louis, in 1955 and 1965. The 1965 convention focused on world peace. Convention Chair, Bea Adams, solicited responses from prominent women from around the world on how to achieve a lasting peace which they published in a booklet, Paths to Peace. Theta Sigma Phi changed its name in the 1970's. Women in Communications, Inc., included women from other media such as radio and TV and the emphasis on journalism and writing has shifted to mass (electronic) communications.
SCOPE AND CONTENT
The Women of Communications, Inc. Records contains information concerning WICI. The information includes by-laws, board meetings, annual conference information, committee information, workshop information, newsletters, news clippings, brochures, and correspondence.
This collection is divided into seven series: (1) Bylaws and Minutes (2) Correspondence (3) Financing (4) Memberships (5) News clippings and Publications (6) Subject Files (7) Photographs
SERIES DESCRIPTION
SERIES 1 - BYLAWS AND MINUTES
This series includes the bylaws and minutes of Women in Communications. This is arranged alphabetically and chronologically.
SERIES 2 CORRESPONDENCE
This series includes the correspondence of Women of Communications. This is arranged chronologically.
SERIES 3 FINANCING
This series includes the annual reports, balance sheet, budget planning, and treasurers' correspondence. This is arranged alphabetically and chronologically.
SERIES 4 MEMBERSHIPS
This series includes the membership applications, membership dues, and membership correspondence. This arranged alphabetically and chronologically.
SERIES 5 NEWS CLIPPINGS AND PUBLICATIONS
This series includes news clippings and publications. This arranged alphabetically and chronologically.
SERIES 6 SUBJECT FILES
This series includes topics of interest to Women in Communications, Inc. the national and local records. Examples include annual national meeting, journalism, press freedoms, publicity, scholarship, and women/ discrimination. Arranged alphabetically and chronologically
SERIES 7 PHOTOGRAPHS
This series includes thirty-three photographs of various social events, workshops, conventions of the Women in Communications, Inc. on the local and national level. See photo database for descriptions.
FOLDER LIST
BOX 1 (133061)
FOLDERS 1-16
1. By laws, 1971-1981
2. Correspondence, 1926-1938
3. Correspondence, 1940-1978
4. Correspondence, 1941-1949
5. Correspondence, 1950-1959
6. Correspondence, 1960
7. Correspondence, 1961
8. Correspondence, 1962
9. Correspondence, 1963
10. Correspondence, 1965
11. Correspondence, 1966
12. Correspondence, 1967
13. Correspondence, 1968
14. Correspondence, 1969
15. Correspondence, 1970-1976
16. Correspondence, 1977-1979
BOX 2 (133062)
FOLDERS 17-32
17. Annual Reports, 1957-1975
18. Balance Sheet,1973-1982
19. Big Bend Bank Account, 1973
20. Bills, 1973-1978
21. Bills, 1978- 1982
22. Budget Planning, 1973-1981
23. Bulk Rate Mailing Permit Information, 1977-1983
24. Financial Stubs, 1969-1972
25. Financial Stubs, 1975-1976
26. Financial Stubs, 1978-1980
27. General Operating Account Correspondence, 1978-1981
28. Professional Chapter Treasurer's Kit, 1980
29. Professional Chapter Treasurer's Kit, 1982
30. Treasurer's Correspondence, 1972-1974
31. Treasurer's Correspondence, 1969-1982
32. Scholarship Fund Financial Records, 1968-1978
BOX 3 (133063)
FOLDERS 33-38
33. Membership Application, 1946-1984
34. Membership Correspondence, 1967-1976
35. Membership Dues, 1972-1983
36. Membership, 1971-1975
37. Membership, 1976-1979
38. Membership, 1979-1980
BOX 4 (133064)
FOLDERS 39-44
39. News clippings, 1948-1980
40. Leadership Bulletin Newsletter, 1952-1979
41. Matrix, 1955-1979
42. Pro/Com, 1982, 1983
43. Women in Communications, Inc. (National), 1972-1980
44. Women in Communications, Inc. Newsletters, 1973-1983
BOX 5 (133065)
FOLDERS 45-68
45. Ann Daly President Ideas, 1974
46. Advertising Production Club of St. Louis, 1975
47. Annual Meeting Tour, 1974
48. Annual National Meeting, 1975
49. Attendance, 1976-1978
50. Cable Television, 1974
51. Clarion Award, 1976-1978
52. ERA, 1973-1978
53. Headliner Awards, 1972-1974
54. Journalism Foundation, 1971-1978
55. Ladies of the Press, 1969-1971
56. Press Freedoms, 1973
57. Professional Development Seminar, 1976-1979
58. Programs, 1971-1974
59. Publicity, 1969-1971
60. Publicity Workshop/Packet, 1974
61. Regional Meetings, 1971-1978
62. Ruth Philpott Collins Luncheon, 1978-1980
63. Scholarship, 1971-1978
64. Shirley Seifert Memorial Workshop, 1971-1973
65. Veterans Voices, 1955-1974
66. Women/Discrimination, 1972-1973
67. Writers Seminar, 1975-1980
68. Photographs 699.1-699.33
INDEX
Advertising Production Club of St. Louis, f. 46
Ann Daly, f. 45
Journalism f. 42
Ladies of the Press, f. 55
Media, f. 43, f. 56 f.59
Ruth Philpott, f. 62
Shirley Seifert, f.64
Women, f. 66
Writers, f. 67
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
whmc@umsl.edu