Patriotism, Efficiency, Service:
History of the Altrusa Club of
Muncie
Bethany Fiechter
Archivist for Manuscript and Digital Collections
Archives and Special Collections
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Mission: collect, preserve, and provide access to archival, printed, and digital resources that
support the research and instructional needs of students, faculty, national and international
students, and the general public.
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Collection areas:
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Rare Books and Manuscripts
Middletown Studies Collection
Stoeckel Archives of Local History
University Archives
Drawings and Documents Archives
Digital Media Repository
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A digital repository housing documents,
oral histories, photographs, and etc.
140 digital collections, totaling over 423,000 items
Archives and Special Collections website:
http://cms.bsu.edu/Academics/Libraries/CollectionsAndDept/Archives.aspx
Historical Note: Charter
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The Altrusa Club of Muncie collection (MSS.054) is one of the largest and most
comprehensive women’s history collections in Archives and Special Collections.
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On October 17, 1923, Patty Garnet, National Organizer of Altrusa, met with thirteen women
of Muncie to formulate and discuss the mechanics of an organization.
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The local constitution and by-laws were accepted by the National Association and the charter
was granted in May 1925.
Historical Note: Formation
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Members were selected from professional and business vocations, classified into three
groups: active, past service, and honorary.
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By the time the organization was complete, seven more women became interested and
twenty women were included as charter members.
First Officers
President: Rhoda Welding
Vice President: Grace DeHority
Secretary: Louise Maddy
Treasurer: Mary Lincoln
Sergeant-at-Arms: Grace Mason
MSS.054 Altrusa Club of Muncie meeting minutes, 1923
Historical Note: Service
“That which constitutes the supreme worth of life is not wealth, nor ease, nor fame, not even
happiness, but service. Nothing at last counts but service and that always counts.”
Service Projects
Raising money for the Ball Hospital Building Fund and the Emens College-Community Auditorium
Building Fund
Aiding students with their education by providing scholarships such as the Mamie Bass
Scholarship Loan Fund and the Grants-in-Aid Project
MSS.054 Altrusa Club of Muncie scrapbook, 1933
Collection Description
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The Altrusa Club of Muncie collection (MSS.054) includes historical, committee, and financial
records, meeting minutes, scrapbooks, yearbooks, photographs, and a reel-to-reel audiotape
recording ranging from circa 1923-2004.
MSS.054 Altrusa Club of Muncie finding aid:
http://www.bsu.edu/libraries/archives/findingaids/MSS054.pdf
Photographs, circa 1923-1991
Left: PSC.105-01, Persons Pictured: Grace DeHority, Ruth Garrett, Reba Hoover, Harriett Johnstone, Josephine Kirby, Edna Krug, Mary
Lincoln, Grace Fern Mitchell, Ann Pugh, Margaret Slater, Mabel Sutton, Barcus Tichenor, Louisa Warner, circa 1920s.Right: Altrusa
dinner, scrapbook photograph, 1953-1954.
Attendance Records, 1923-2000
MSS.054 Altrusa Club of Muncie attendance records, 1923 and 1930
Meeting Minutes, 1923-1990
MSS.054 Altrusa Club of Muncie first meeting minutes, 1923
Song books, 1930-1951
MSS.054 Altrusa Club of Muncie song book, 1933
Scrapbooks,1933-1991
MSS.054 Altrusa Club of Muncie scrapbook, 1933
Digital Media Repository
Digital Media Repository website: http://libx.bsu.edu
Contact Me!
Bethany Fiechter
Archivist for Manuscript and Digital Collections
Ball State University Libraries
765-285-5078
bcfiechter@bsu.edu
P028-037, Minnetrista rose garden, 2011