Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434) 560 Drillfield Drive Newman Library, Virginia Tech Blacksburg, Virginia 24061 Business Number: 540-231-6308 specref@vt.edu URL: http://spec.lib.vt.edu
Laura Katz, Archivist, and Harvey Clark, Student Assistant
Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Identification
Ms.1988.022
Title
Association for Women in Architecture Records 1928-1992
Quantity
8.4 Cubic Feet, 6 boxes
Creator
Association for Women in Architecture (U.S.)
Language
The materials in the collection are in English.
Abstract
The Association for Women in Architecture (AWA) was originally founded in 1922 as Alpha Alpha Gamma, a national sorority for
women architecture students. In 1934, the alumnae of the sorority formed the Association of Women in Architecture (AWA) (later
Association for Women in Architecture) as an organization for professional women architects. Records include committee reports,
correspondence, membership forms and rosters, photographs, scrapbooks, treasurer's files, and newsletters.
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University
Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal
or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition
form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with
forms or to submit a completed form.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder],
Association for Women in Architecture, Ms1988-022, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg,
Va.
Source of Acquisition
The Association for Women in Architecture Records were donated to Special Collections in June 1988. Additional materials were
donated in August 1989.
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Association for Women in Architecture Records was completed by L. H. Katz
in December 1988. The EAD finding aid was created by Harvey Clark in September 2010.
The Association for Women in Architecture + Design (AWA+D) was founded in 1922 into Alpha Alpha Gamma, a national
sorority for women architecture students, which arose from a student organization La Confrerie Alongine at Washington University
in St. Louis founded by Mae Steinmesch, Helen Milius, Angela Burdeau and Jane Pelton in 1915. In 1934, the alumnae of the
sorority formed the Association of Women in Architecture (AWA) as an organization for professional women architects. Its first
president was H. Mae Steinmesch of St. Louis, Missouri. Subsequent presidents included Jean Driskel, Virginia Tanzmann, and
Vicki Carter. In 1948, the oranization became the Association of Women in Architecture and Allied Arts (AWA).
Although chapters were formed in other cities, the Los Angeles, California, chapter was the most active. In 1964, the national
organization dissolved and the other chapters gradually disappeared. The Los Angeles chapter, with a membership of approximately
200 women architects and designers in the Los Angeles area with members-at-large across the country is the only surviving
original chapter. In 1975, the AWA altered its name to the Association FOR Women in Architecture. Its current name was adopted
in 2012 as Association for Women in Architecture + Design (AWA+D).
The AWA+D holds annual meetings, gives out scholarships to women architecture students, and acts as a clearinghouse
for information about women's status in the field of architecture.
Source: "AWA+D History: Herstory of the Organization", Association for Women in Architecture + Design, https://www.awaplusd.org/our-history
The records of the Association for Women in Architecture include committee reports, convention materials, photographs, presidents
files, membership rosters, constitution and bylaws, correspondence, and videotapes. The photographs, slides, videotapes, and
posters are filed at the end of the main administrative files.
The collection is arranged according to the original order compiled by the AWA, which grouped related records together and
identified each box by date range.
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