Title: UNB. Associated Alumnae of the University of New Brunswick fonds. – 1910-1995; predominant 1910-1986. – 1.97 m of textual records.

Administrative History:  In 1886, Mary Tibbits entered UNB as the first female student, paving the way for other female students who joined her in 1887.  Miss Tibbits graduated in 1889 with the distinction of being the first female to receive a BA from UNB.  Although Mary Tibbits became eligible for Alumni membership on her graduation in 1889, no women were proposed as Alumni members until 1896 when Edna White, Annie I. Tibbits (later Mrs. H.G. Chestnut), Mabel Sterling, Mattie McIntosh and Annie (Nan) Ross were admitted.  The women realised that they were too much of a minority to have any impact on the Alumni Society, and concluded that a separate women’s society was the answer.  By 1910 almost 200 women had attended and/or graduated from UNB and it was on this basis that the Associated Alumnae was founded.

On 26 April 1910, eight female graduates and 11 undergraduates held a meeting to determine the amount of support for an organisation of female UNB graduates.  Under the chairmanship of Annie (Tibbits) Chestnut, the vote to establish such a society was unanimously carried.  A constitution was written and agreed to, and Annie (Tibbits) Chestnut was elected  President of the Associated Alumnae; Ina (Mersereau) McLeod, First Vice-President; and Sadie L. Thompson, Second Vice-President.  The first official meeting was held in the Old Arts Building at UNB on 1 June 1910.   An initial enrolment of 19 charter members formed the core of the Associated Alumnae which was incorporated in 1919.  The Associated Alumnae also gained representation on the UNB Senate (two members) in the same year.

From its inception, the Associated Alumnae strived to promote the educational and financial interests of UNB, and to provide assistance to young women attending the university.  The Alumnae established scholarships and initiated and participated in many projects/fund raising campaigns including (in alphabetical order):
The Associated Alumnae have worked with and supported a number of different organisations since the early 1900s, including the Association of Universities and Colleges in Canada (AUCC), International and Canadian Federation of University Women (IFUW and CFUW), and the Women’s International Organization (Disarmament Committee).  

Scope and Content:  This fonds documents the dealings of the Associated Alumnae from 1910 to 1995, and includes correspondence, general administrative material, financial and legal documents, minutes, reports, campaign and project material, allocation of scholarships and awards, publications (Honoris Causa and Those Certain Women), records relating to the establishment of the Maggie Jean Chestnut Residence, and UNB and Alumnae publicity and memorabilia.  The fonds is comprised of original and copied documents, in manuscript, typescript, and printed format.  The fonds is divided into eight series:

    Series 1:  Correspondence; 1912-1982
    Series 2:  Administrative Files; 1910-1991; predominant 1910-1986
    Series 3:  Associated Alumnae Minutes; 1910-1991
    Series 4:  Briefs and Reports; 1954-1981; predominant 1954-1972
    Series 5:  Finance and Legal; 1918-1995; predominant 1918-1985
    Series 6:  Material Relating to Associated Alumnae Fundraising Campaigns; 1947-1954
    Series 7:  Affiliated University Organisations Administrative Material; 1942-1988
    Series 8:  International Federation of University Women (IFUW) and Canadian Federation
                     of University Women (CFUW) Publications and General Files; 1923-1979

    
Notes:

Title: Title is based on the name of the creator

Administrative History: The original 19 charter members of the Associated Alumnae were Ina McLeod, Annie Chestnut, Louise Kinghorn, Grace Flemming, Miriam Cadwallader, Ellen Stopford, Annie Taylor, Amy Sharp, Emma Estabrooks, Olive Stothart, Ethel Smith, Sadie Thompson, Verna Brown, Edith Davis, E. Hazen Allen, Barbara Dobson, Frances Fish, Frances Steeves, and Margaret Belyea.

Immediate Source of Acquisition: The material contained in this fonds was donated by Officers of the UNB Associated Alumnae on five separate occasions in: 1973, 1975, 1979, 1980, 1994, and 2004.

Arrangement:  Arrangement has been largely imposed by the Archivist.

Restrictions on Access: There is open access to all material in this fonds pre-1996 which has been described. Material donated in 2004 is not accessible until it has been reviewed and described by Archives staff.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction: Photocopying for research purposes is permissible, but requests for extensive copying or any form of publication must be approved by the Associated Alumnae.  

Finding Aid: A full finding aid is available on request.

General Note: A copy of Those Certain Women by Linda Squiers Hansen, and published by the Associated Alumnae, was received as part of this fonds and can be found in the last folder at the back of Box 7.  The book describes the history of the Associated Alumnae from its inception in 1910 through to 1980/1981.

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UNB Archives
email address archives@unb.ca
Last Update: 2005/02/16