Current Topic Club (Owosso, Mich.) Records, 1894-1998
1.5 linear feet (in 2 boxes)
The Current Topic Club records, 1894-1975 consist of 1.5 linear feet in two boxes and are organized divided into three series: Administrative Records, Photographs and Programs.
The Administrative records series includes files on the club's Constitution and Bylaws, Minutes and Correspondence. The Correspondence consists of only a few items, such as thank-you notes. The Minutes are contained in bound books, each book covering a number of years. There are only two gaps in their coverage, October 1898-April 1901, and April 1920-May 1925. The programs series includes copies of all yearly printed programs from 1897 through the 1974-1975 club year. Photographs consist of three group portraits of the Current Topic Club membership made in August 1924, summer(?) 1944--their 50th Anniversary, and May 1973. Each is labeled.
The records of the Current Topic Club are an important source of information for the researcher studying women's activities and interests, because they cover an extended time span in a well-documented manner. The records represent a significant addition to the history of women in Michigan, and also throw light on an important period in the growth of a typical mid-western city.
There were occasions when men were invited to address the group. An important example here was the appearance of Raoul Wallenberg, a student from Sweden who had just graduated from the University of Michigan College of Architecture, and delayed his return home in order to speak to the club at the invitation of Mrs. L. L. Woodard. The minutes for February 18, 1935 record that he discussed the geography and history of Sweden, described Swedish architecture and passed around sketches illustrating his points.
Musical programs and member-prepared skits were a feature of some meetings. They were interested in political events of the day and often signed petitions on pending legislative action, e.g., school taxes, child labor, county agricultural extension service, and state aid to libraries.
In the 1949-1950 club year the members devoted all meetings to women and the women's movement for the first time, and continued this theme in 1950-1951. In earlier years one meeting each year centered around a famous woman.