MS-184

MS-184

 

VIOLA CLEMENS ALTRUSA COLLECTION

 

INTRODUCTION

 

The Viola Clemens Altrusa Collection was accessioned into the Flesh Public Library Archives and Special Collections in August 2008.  It was donated to the library by the family.  The collection consists of the papers, documents, and publications collected by Mrs. Clemens during her years as a member and officer of the Piqua Altrusa Club.  The collection is housed in two Gaylord 1215 boxes containing ninety-nine files divided into six series.  There are no known restrictions on the use of these materials.

 

SCOPE AND CONTENT

 

The Viola Clemens Altrusa Collection is divided into the following six series.

 

SERIES I:PIQUA ALTRUSA CLUB MATERIALS

          Sub-Series I A:  Photographs – Box 1 Files 1-5

          Sub-Series I B:  Club Activities

               I B-1: 1978-1979 – Viola Clemens, President – Box 1

                                                 Files 6-18

               I B-2: 1980-1981 – Viola Clemens, President – Box 1

                                                 Files 19-24

               I B-3:  Program Booklets – Box 1 Files 25-28

               I B-4: 1985-1986 – Viola Clemens, Treasurer – Box 1

                                                 Files 29-30

               I B-5: Altrusa District Five Spring Workshop materials, 2 May

                                                 1987 – Box 1 File 31

               I B-6:  1989-1990 – Viola Clemens, Hospitality Committee

                                                 Chairman – Box 1 Files 32-33

               I B-7:  1990-1991 – Viola Clemens, International Committee

                                                 Chairman – Box 1 File 34

          Sub-Series I C: Tri-City Birthday Party Programs – Box 1 File 35

          Sub-Series I D: Newspaper Clippings – Box 1 File 36

          Sub-Series I E:  Miscellaneous – Box 1 Files 37-42

 

SERIES II:  ALTRUSA DISTRICT FIVE ACTIVITIES

          Sub-Series II A:  District Five Conference Materials – Box 1

                                      Files 43-51

          Sub-Series II B:  District Five Workshop Materials – Box 1

                                      Files 52-56

          Sub-Series II C:  District Five Publications – Box 1 Files 57-58

 

SERIES III:  ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

                             MATERIALS – Box 1 Files 59-64

 

SERIES IV:  ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATIONS – Box 2

                             Files 1-12

 

SERIES V:  ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL PERIODICAL

                             PUBLICATIONS

          Sub-Series V A:  Altrusa Accent – Box 2 Files 13-24

          Sub-Series V B:  International Altrusan– Box 2 Files 25-32

 

SERIES VI:  MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS – Box 2 Files 33-35

 

HISTORY

 

Viola Ruth Bowdry Clemens (1908-2004) was born in London, Ohio, went to school in Mechanicsburg, Ohio and moved to Piqua in 1925 with her husband Emerson.  Her first job was as a seamstress at the Piqua Memorial Hospital.  Clemens took Red Cross nurses’ training during World War II and volunteered hundreds of hours at the Piqua Memorial Hospital.  During the 1940’s, she was an active member of the local chapter of the N.A.A.C.P.  She participated in several sit-ins that helped end segregation in restaurants and movie theaters in the city.  She began a catering business in Piqua in 1951 that stayed active until 1983.  Clemens was the first African-American member of the Piqua Altrusa, a local women’s professional group.  She served on the board of directors of the YWCA, a leader with the Negro Girl Reserves and treasurer of the Miami County Republican Women’s Club.  She was awarded the Chamber of Commerce’s Order of George Award in 2001.[1]

 

Mrs. Clemens served as President of the Piqua Altrusa Club from 1978 to 1981 and as Treasurer of the club from 1983 to 1985.  She also held a number of committee chairmanships during her years of membership in the club.  The documents in this collection are mainly from her years as president, treasurer, and chairman of the Hospitality Committee and the International Relations Committee.  She was a delegate and an alternate to a number of Altrusa district conferences and international conventions.

 

BOX INVENTORY

 

BOX 1

 

SERIES I:  PIQUA ALTRUSA CLUB MATERIALS

          Sub-Series I A: Photographs

 

File

1            Christmas Party – 1992 at the Piqua Elks Club

                   1.1 – Martha Statler [3rd from left, partially hidden]; Viola Clemens [right]

                   1.2 – Martha Statler [right]; Piano player Guy Bishop

                   1.3 – Martha Statler [right]; Piano player Guy Bishop

                   1.4 – Group gathered around the table – Viola Clemens at head of table left.

                   1.5 – Ladies at table – not identified

                   1.6 – Two ladies standing – not identified

                   1.7 – Seven ladies seated at or near the head of the table, probably club officers.  Charlene Jamison [left], Martha Statler [2nd from left], Viola Clemens [3rd from left] – Photo taken prior to the dinner.

                   1.8 – Guy Bishop, pianist – entertainer for the evening

                   1.9 – Seven ladies seated at or near the head of the table, probably club officers.  Charlene Jamison [left], Martha Statler [2nd from left], Viola Clemens [3rd from left] – Photo taken prior to the dinner.

2            Photographs of the Ohio delegation at the 1991 Chicago International Convention

                   2.1 – Ann Baird [left]

                   2.2 – [left to right] Viola Clemens’ daughter; Viola Clemens; Kathy Oda [Mrs. James C. Oda]

                   2.3 – Ladies not identified

                   2.4 – Ladies not identified

                   2.5 – Ladies not identified

                   2.6 – Ladies not identified

                   2.7 – Ladies not identified

                   2.8 – Viola Clemens [right]

                   2.9 – Ladies not identified

                   2.10 – Ladies not identified

                   2.11 – Ladies not identified

                   2.12 – Viola Clemens [2nd from left]

                   2.13 – Ladies with flags from the countries represented at the international convention.  The ladies are dressed in a manner representing their countries.

                   2.14 – Price list and reprint order form from Simon & Daphne, P. O. Box 369, Morrison, CO. – they were the official convention photographers.

3            Bake Sale photographs – April 1993 – table set up near the Uhlman’s Home Store in the Piqua East Mall.  Three photos [3.1-3.3] – in each photo the lady in the striped sweater is Dorothy Applegett.  The other ladies are not identified.

4            Scholarship presentation 1994-1995.  The recipient of the scholarship is Tina Molnar.  The presenter is not identified.

5            Winter at Johnston Farm – a matted copy of a watercolor painting by Virginia Heitzman – these copies and note cards were sold by the Piqua Altrusa Club as a fund raiser.

 

          Sub-Series I B:  Club Activities

                   I B-1:  1978-1979 – Viola Clemens, President

 

File

6            Minutes of the Board of Directors Meeting, 9 April 1979 Held prior to the program/business meeting and Minutes of the Regular Club Business Meeting, 9 April 1979.

7            Minutes of the Board of Directors Meeting and the Program Meeting, 23 April 1979

8            Minutes of the Make-Up Luncheon, 7 May 1979

9            President’s Report – Viola Clemens, President – 24 June 1979

10          Treasurer’s Reports – Martha Statler, Treasurer – 25 June 1979

11          Ways & Means Report – AnnaMarie Kienle, Chairman – 1978-1979

12          Board Meeting Minutes, 8 October 1979

13          Club Progress Report, July 1, 1978-July 1, 1979 – three copies by three different people which were probably compiled into a single final report.  Also a blank report form.

14          Inventory of the Altrusa File at Flesh Public Library, Summer, 1978

15          Miscellaneous Club documents 1978-1979 – announcement of new officers and “Marie Wilkin’s List”

16          Miscellaneous District Five documents 1978-1979

17          Communications 1978-1979

18          Viola Clemens identification name tags and 1978-1979 pocket folder

 

                   I B-2:  1980-1981 – Viola Clemens, President

 

File

19          President’s Report and Treasurer’s Reports, 23 June 1980 and 22 June 1981.  Proposed 1980-1981 Budget.

20          Annual Report of the Corresponding Secretary and correspondence.

21          Draft of Club Progress Report, 1980-1981 and recommendations form membership for Naomi Russell and Kathy Scarbrough.

22          Certificate of Merit for perfect attendance, 1980-1981 presented to Viola Clemens, President

23          Miscellaneous District Five documents, 1980-1981

24          Miscellaneous documents and clippings, 1980-1981

 

                   I B-3:  Program Booklets

 

File

25          1983-1984

26          1984-1985

27          1985-1986

28          1986-1987

 

                   I B-4:  1985-1986 – Viola Clemens, Treasurer

 

File

29          Treasurer’s Annual Reports 1983-1984 and 1984-1985.  Proposed Budget for 1984-1985 and 1985-1986

30          Miscellaneous notes, calendar and dues paid lists 1985-1986

 

                   I B-5:  Altrusa District Five Spring Workshop

 

File

31          Spring Workshop materials, 2 May 1987

 

                   I B-6:  1989-1990 – Viola Clemens, Hospitality Committee Chairman

 

File

32          Altrusa Committee Job Descriptions – statement of the function of each club committee

33          Miscellaneous club documents: agendas for June and July 1989 business meetings; 1989-1990 Budget; 1989-1990 blank ballot; officers and committees for 1989-1990; Altrusa program list for 1989-1990; Local Club Bylaws for Piqua.

 

                   I B-7:  1990-1991 – Viola Clemens, International Committee Chairman

 

File

34          International Relations Committee job description; list of 1990-1991 officers and committees; tentative 1990-1991 program list

 

          Sub-Series I C:  Tri-City Birthday Party Programs

 

File

35          Annual Tri-City Birthday Party Programs held by the Piqua, Sidney and Troy Altrusa Clubs in April of each year to celebrate the birthday of Altrusa.  Programs in this file are for the following years and locations:

35.1 – 1967, Piqua Country Club

35.2 – 1981, holiday Inn, Troy

35.3 – 1986, Piqua Country Club

35.4 – Announcement of 1987 party at Troy Holiday Inn

35.5 – 1988, Farrington Restaurant, Sidney

35.6 – 1989, Piqua Country Club (3 copies)

35.7 – 1990, Troy Country Club

35.8 – 1991, Farrington Restaurant, Sidney

35.9 – 1992, Piqua Country Club (2 copies)

35.10 – 1999, location not listed, probably Troy Country Club

 

 

          Sub-Series I D:  Newspaper Clippings

 

File

36          Twenty-two newspaper articles clipped from The Piqua Daily Call in the years 1984 to 1992

 

          Sub-Series I E:  Miscellaneous

 

File

37          1987-1989 Membership Directory

38          1988-1989 Agendas, reports, program ideas, literacy presentation, and a copy of the Queen City Altrusa Club Policies and Procedures Manual

39          1992  “Good Hands Award” certificates

40          Miscellaneous communications and memorials

41          “Welcome Tourist” – a guide to places of interest in and around Piqua produced by the Piqua Altrusa Club (3 copies)

42          Blank Piqua Altrusa Club stationery and envelopes

 

SERIES II:  ALTRUSA DISTRICT FIVE ACTIVITIES

 

          Sub-Series II A:  District Five Conference Materials

 

File

43          Conference announcement poster, 1970 and Altrusa Angles “Call to Conference”, 1971

44          Conference program – 1984, Columbus, Ohio

45          Conference packet of information for delegates and alternates.  Viola Clemens’ notes and included – 1985, Battle Creek, MI

46          Conference packet of information for delegates and alternates – 1986, Akron, Ohio

47          Conference packet and Altrusa Angles “Call to Conference” – 1988, Dayton, Ohio

48          Conference Program – 1990, Dearborn, MI

49          Conference Program and reports – 1992, Kalamazoo, MI

50          Conference Program – 1999, Columbus, OH

51          Miscellaneous conference materials and badges

 

 

          Sub-Series II B:  District Five Workshop Materials

 

File

52          Altrusa Angles “Call to Spring Workshop” – March 1989

53          President’s Workshop booklet – 1986

54          Altrusa Angles “Call to Spring Workshop” – 1987

55          Workshop packet – 1988

56          Miscellaneous materials

 

          Sub-Series II C:  District Five Publications

 

File

57          Digest, 1992 (2 copies)

58          Service Bulletins 1970, 1988 (2), 1989 (3), 1990 (2), 1992 (2), 1993, 1994 (2), 1995, 1996 (2)

 

SERIES III:  ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION MATERIALS

 

File

59          Kansas City, MO – 1979 program and Kansas City tour booklet.

60          Vancouver, British Columbia – 1981 program and vacation information.  Viola Clemens small book of notes.

61          Atlanta, GA – 1983 convention delegate packet and related materials

62          Palm Desert, CA – 1987 convention information book

63          Dublin, Ireland – 1989 convention program and tour pamphlet

64          Chicago, IL – 1991 convention delegate packet and related information

 

BOX 2

 

SERIES IV:  ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATIONS

 

File

1            Altrusa Almanac:  Facts for Members (2)

2            1984-1985 Altrusa Club Directory

3            Classification Guide:  Membership in Altrusa – 1978

4            Altrusa International, Inc. Bylaws & Policies:  International, District, Local Club, Foundation – 1980

5            Altrusa International, Inc. Bylaws & Policies: International, District, Club – 1993

6            Altrusa International, Inc. Articles of Incorporation; Bylaws: International, District, Club; Policies – 1987 (2 copies)

7            The Altrusa Encyclopedia, newly Revised: Compendium of Altrusa Information for all members and every club – 1987 (2 copies)

8            Altrusa Local Club handbook: for club officers, directors, committee chairmen and all Altrusa members – 1978

9            Altrusa International “Service Bulletins” – 1970, 1981

10          Altrusa International pamphlets

10.1 – “Altrusa’s Future Is . . . “ – 1988

10.2 – “f f v a – Founders Fund Vocational Aid” – 1979 with hand written updates.

10.3 – “Grants-in-Aid” – 1979

10.4 – “Altrusa International Foundation” – 1984

10.5 – “The Altrusa Tradition” – 1985

11          Altrusa International Foundation, 1986-1987 Annual Report

12          Altrusa International, Inc. – Official Jewelry, Award and Identification Products Catalog – by Doc Morgan, Inc.: Official Supplier for Altrusa International

 

SERIES V:  ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL PERIODICAL PUBLICATIONS

 

          Sub-Series V A:  Altrusa Accent

 

File

13          October 1985

14          April 1986

15          1st, 2nd, 3rd quarter 1988

16          2nd, 3rd, 4th quarter 1989

17          January/February/March; April/May (2 copies) 1990

18          January/February; March/April; June/July; September/October (2 copies) 1992

19          October/November 1994

20          February 1995

21          January; April; July 1996

22          May 1997

23          January; April 1998

24          April 1999

 

          Sub-Series V B:  International Altrusan

 

File

25          January/February; May/June 1985

26          January; June 1986

27          1st quarter; 4th quarter 1987

28          April/May/June (2 copies) 1989

29          January/February/March (2 copies); 4th quarter 1990

30          June/July 1991

31          May 1992

32          April 1993

 

 

SERIES VI:  MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS

 

File

33          Miscellaneous Correspondence and publications from Altrusa International

34          Altrusa logo paper clip/paper holder and an Altrusa logo sticker

35          Altrusa apron

 

 

 

                [1] James C. Oda, An Encyclopedia of Piqua, Ohio.  (Evansville, Indiana:  M. T.  Publishing Company, Inc., 2007), 140.