SERIES B: BRANCHES
Series B,7: Jane Addams Branch [members-at-large] [formerly Series B,7, Jane Addams Branch & Regional Branches]
Scope, Contents & Arrangement
See Appendix A for history of some of these Branches
Note to researchers: Be sure to search the entire WILPF checklist for more information on your person/topic of interest, which might be contained in other parts/series, or in other SCPC archival collections.
Historical Note
The Jane Addams Branch was established in ca.1950 to represent members of WILPF in all areas of the nation who did not belong to a local Branch. In the mid-1960s, there was an unsuccessful attempt to organize Jane Addams members into mini-branches (sometimes with as few as three members), in order to provide individuals with a sense of being part of the larger organization. In the late 1960s, fourteen states had volunteer Jane Addams "state chairmen," who kept in touch locally with WILPF members-at-large in their states. The Branch had a national chairman and sent representatives to the various conventions and meetings. An important goal for the Jane Addams Branch was outreach, so that as numbers incerased in a locale, a Branch could be formed.
After the Vietnam era, apparently the Jane Addams Branch as a separate "Branch" structure became less active. All who did not belong to a specific local Branch, were automatically considered to be members of the Jane Addams Branch, or "members-at-large." After the Regional structure was established in 1971 (see series B,8) all WILPFers, whether they were also members of a local Branch or not, were automatically considered to be members of the regions in which they lived. Representatives to the National meetings were elected from this Regional base. The structure of WILPF continues to be fluid, adapting to membership patterns and world events.
Jane Addams Branch
Jane Addams Branch: misc., 1951-1972, 1977
[see Series B,10 for newsletter]
Top of Page
Home Page of WILPF Collection
Contact for More Information