A group of 14 college women met in the VC Kindred Hotel on the twelfth of October, 1916 to organize the first North Dakota Branch of the Association of Collegiate Alumnae. The charter members were: Vida Austin, Grace Hilborn (E.C.), Mrs. Morris Johnson Kernall, Susan McCoy (The first Branch President), Mrs. Katherine B. McDonald, Mrs. J. W. Rodenwall, Emma S. Severson, Mrs. Veblen, Mrs. Frank White, Amanda Zabel, Minnie Anderson, Helen Crane, Anna L. Gates, and Candis Nelson.
The branch was formed for the sake of society, knowledge, and the individual. Some policies and goals are: first, conducting research and studying new problems by means of committees; second, asking distinguished people to present results of study to the members; and third, encouraging study groups to investigate all aspects of education.
With the coming of 1976, the Branch is enjoying its 60th year of existence. The group's emphasis has always been the community, country and world. The following is a decade overview.
After April 1917, the members were caught up in the war effort. They worked for the conservation of food, urged the continued education of young people, collected magazines for soldiers in cantonments and helped establish soldier club houses (no USO).
In 1921 they resumed meetings and worked toward forming the State Division, as well as, cooperating with the national headquarters (organized 39 years earlier and now called the American Association of University Women). They established a loan fund for students attending VCSTC, organized Parents' Clubs for the purpose of child study including pre-school children, current literature and school standards; and they also organized a Community Council on child welfare to consolidate the work of various groups. In 1923, they sent letters to the state senators and US President - "unanimously endorsing the participation of the US in the World
Court." In 1926, Fanny C. Amidon reported that in NY there was something new - piano classes for children! The group studied new movements in art, drama, music, and religion. They also hosted Sunday afternoon story hours for VC children.
The 30's brought a glimpse of the depression. One report said, "We will cooperate in everything that does not take money but is beneficial to the cause of education in VC and North Dakota. In 1936, Edith Van Middlesworth, VC Branch, became the third state president. The Branch sponsored a public forum in the city hall where qualified speakers discussed questions of general importance to the public - "Agricultural Adjustment Administration," "Better Housing Program," "The New Social Order," and "Fascism." During these years, the members also participated in Spanish and creative arts classes and children's plays.
In the 1940's the overall theme was "Adult Education is the Heart of AAUW." Concern was toward mutual understanding among peoples of the world (exchange of students, teachers, and other professionals). They helped sponsor a series of lectures given by 3 eminent Minneapolis psychiatrists and physicians on the subject "Your Child and Normal Growth." In July 1940, a committee secured homes for six refugee children of members of the British Federation of Univ. Women for the "duration" of the war. Parents were: Dr. and Mrs. C. J. Meredith, Dr. and Mrs. William Campbell, Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Katz, Mr. and Mrs. Fred J. Fredrickson, and Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Tate. Several lectures had a wartime theme, "Fine Arts in Wartime," "Education and the War," "General Problems of Postwar Reconstruction," etc. They donated to the Red Cross and Blood Plasma Fund. On the lighter side, they had book reviews as well as hosting the 4th Annual Arts and Crafts Exhibit of Barnes Co. Artists.
The 50's brought continued studies on mental health, laws affecting women, international relations and the "White House Conference on Children and Youth." Some of the committees developed were concerned with social studies, legislation and the arts. The group continued to sponsor children's plays. Mildred Davis became State President from 1952-54. She had been a VC Branch member from 1940-47.
Some topics of the 60's were, "Pioneers in Progress," "The Law and the Citizen" and "The American Family in a Changing World" (impact of TV and other mass media). For 2 years, they hosted "The Tour of VC Homes" to pro-
vide fellowship funds. They also sponsored a free tutoring service for VCHS ,students.
The 1970's again show a sign of the times. Some topics studied (through 1976) have been "The Human Use of Urban Space," "Dynamic Learning," "Women Power and Searching for Self," "This Beleaguered Earth" and "A Dollar's Worth." They strongly support the fellowship fund and to finance this there has been 4 annual book sales and silent auctions. Some resolutions supported by AAUW pertain to - regulations of new industry into North Dakota (protect environment); state funding of the North Dakota Council of Arts and Humanities; equal pay and job opportunity for women; development of curriculum concerning Indian history and culture; and support for a quality education in our public schools, as well as, relief from reliance on local property tax.
PAST PRESIDENTS
| 1916-21 | Susan McCoy |
| 1921-22 | Vide Austin |
| 1922-23 | Bess Lee Powell |
| 1923-25 | Susan Norton |
| 1925-27 | Carrie Proctor |
| 1927-29 | Edith VanMiddlesworth |
| 1929-30 | Mrs. Louise Sproul (L.T.) |
| 1930-32 | Mrs. M. P. Wyncoop |
| 1932-34 | Susan Norton |
| 1934-36 | Clare Young |
| 1936-38 | PearIJack |
| 1938-40 | Eunice Gronvold |
| 1940-42 | Mildred Davis |
| 1942-44 | Dr. Martha Layman |
| 1944-45 | Ina Robertson |
| 1945-46 | Mrs. Opal Wooldridge |
| 1946-48 | Henriette Brudos |
| 1948-50 | Mrs. Jean Zetterberg Hill |
| 1950-52 | Laura Mulford |
| 1952-54 | Charlotte Graichen |
| 1954-56 | Vera Bollinger |
| 1956-58 | Dr. Muriel Wicks |
| 1958‑60 | Mrs. Eugene McAlister |
| 1960‑62 | Mrs. Florence Bell |
| 1962‑64 | Mrs. AI J. Greffenius |
| 1964‑66 | Arlys Netland |
| 1966‑68 | Mrs. Leo Beauclair |
| 1968‑70 | Mrs. Lynn Holcomb |
| 1970‑71 | Mrs. Elaine Meyer |
| 1971‑74 | Mrs. Henrik Voldal |
| 1974‑76 | Sister Elizabeth Rose Muscha |
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 325