Ontario Business and Professional Women's Club Collection, 1928-1984

Printable guide [HTML]

Summary

Creators:
Ontario Business and Professional Women's Club
Abstract:
Extent:
9 linear feet
Language:
Preferred citation:

Ontario Business and Professional Women's Club Collection. Ontario City Library, Robert E. Ellingwood Model Colony History Room

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of scrapbooks, club directories, newspaper clippings, meeting minutes, club yearbooks, and correspondence. Also included is a collection of thimbles acquired by the club.

Biographical / historical:

In 1923, five young businesswomen started a Business Women’s Club to promote “the civic, social advancement of women in general and club members in particular.” Through monthly lunch and then dinner meetings, businesswomen networked and provided support for local charities and college students through scholarships and fundraisers. Each year the club sponsored a “Work Observation Day” in which local business students visited local businesses; a forerunner to “take your child to work day.” The club also adopted a Belgian war orphan in the 1940’s and distributed 4000 leaflets on survival under atomic attack. As a subsection of the club, the Lois LeBaron Avery Toastmistress group also had programs and meetings that are included in this collection. LaVaughn Moberly, a local beautician, was very active in the BPW during the 1950’s and 1960’s and a portion of her correspondence is included. By the 1990’s the club was no longer in existence. The Foothill Valley Business & Professional Women was the surviving club, meeting in Upland, California.

Acquisition information:
Donated by the Business and Professional Women's Club in 1976; Additional materials acquired from former members Celesta Walters in 1989 and LaVaughn Moberley in 1992.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research during the operating hours of the Robert E. Ellingwood Model Colony History Room, or by appointment.

Terms of access:

Collection is open for research.

Preferred citation:

Ontario Business and Professional Women's Club Collection. Ontario City Library, Robert E. Ellingwood Model Colony History Room

Location of this collection:
215 East "C" Street
Ontario, CA 91764-4111, US
Contact:
(909) 395-2206
localhistory@ontarioca.gov
Website