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.