Rochelle Business and Professional Women's Club Records

Collection — Volume: 1

Identifier: RHC-RC-098

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The records in this collection document the activities of the Rochelle Business and Professional Women’s Club from 1969-1980. Minutes and the “Nike Naks” newsletters provide the most comprehensive information on the Club’s activities. A major portion of the collection includes the papers of Karen Collier, President of the Rochelle B.P.W. Club (1975-1976), and State Young Career Women (YCW) Chairman (1976-1977). Included are the files of individual Y.C.W. candidates and the newsletters of various Illinois B.P.W. Clubs. Papers from 1977/78 document Mrs. Collier’s term as District VI Chairman. Researchers also should note that this collection includes a wealth of documentary material on Illinois and National B.P.W. organizations and activities. Related collections held by the Regional History Center include the Sycamore B.P.W. Club Records (RC 97) and the DeKalb B.P.W. Club Records (RC 99). Researchers should note that most of the documentation on the formation of the Rochelle B.P.W. Club is included in the DeKalb B.P.W. Club Records. Two B.P.W. publications, the National Business Woman and the Illinois Bulletin are part of the Founders Memorial Library’s permanent collection.Two B.P.W. publications, the National Business Woman and the Illinois Bulletin are part of the Founders Memorial Library’s permanent collection.

Dates

created: 1968-1980
Other: Date acquired: 06/02/1980

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on access to the collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights in the collection are held by the Regional History Center; literary rights are dedicated to the public.

Biographical or Historical Information

The DeKalb B.P.W. Club sponsored the creation of the Rochelle Business and Professional Women’s Club in February 1968. Mona Robison, a local nurse, served as the first president. There were thirty-three charter members. The goals of the Rochelle B.P.W. Club are to better the circumstances and opportunities for working women through informative programs, scholarships, and active support of local, state and national legislation of benefit to women. The Club has supported college scholarships to local women, provided Christmas baskets for the needy, sponsored a Filipino orphan, and held informational programs such as a symposium on the International Women’s Year co-sponsored with the Rochelle League of Women Voters. To finance its activities the Club edited and published a cookbook, Burnt Offerings, held raffles and conducted various sidewalk and rummage sales. The Rochelle BPW Club is now apart of the Rochelle Rotary Club which is a not for profit organization of business and professional men and women who are “dedicated to maintaining ethical standards, building positive community and good will, developing relationships through networking and providing humanitarian service locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.”

Note written by

Extent

3.50 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Source of Acquisition

Donna Poshard, Karen Collier

Method of Acquisition

Donna Poshard, President, donated the Rochelle Business and Professional Women’s Club Records to the Northern Illinois Regional History Center on June 2, 1980.

Accruals and Additions

Karen Collier, past President, donated additional Business and Professional Women’s Club materials to the Regional History Center on June 16, 1980.

Related Materials

Related collections held by the Regional History Center include the Sycamore B.P.W. Club Records (RC 97) and the DeKalb B.P.W. Club Records (RC 99). Researchers should note that most of the documentation on the formation of the Rochelle B.P.W. Club is included in the DeKalb B.P.W. Club Records. Two B.P.W. publications, the National Business Woman and the Illinois Bulletin are part of the Founders Memorial Library’s permanent collection.