Greater Mankato YWCA (Young Women's Christian Association) Women of Distinction Oral History Project. Collection, 2016-Ongoing

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: SMHC Collection 0270

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Series 1 – Oral History Interviews:

This portion of the collection consists of audio and transcriptions of interviews with Greater Mankato YWCA Women of Distinction Honorees. The audio interviews are in digital form and stored on CDs. Each transcript folder includes an oral history transcript and summary page that explains the interview process itself.

Series 2 – Women of Distinction Exhibit:

This portion of the collection consists of four (4) retractable YWCA Women of Distinction exhibit banners authored by Professors Christopher Corley and Angela Jill Cooley of the MSU, Mankato History Department. The content for the exhibits came from the oral history interviews and YWCA history. The Exhibit was displayed at the Women of Distinction event in 2017 and then around the Greater Mankato community.

Dates

2016-Ongoing

Biographical or Historical Information

Beginning in 2016, the Greater Mankato YWCA and MSU, Mankato History Department have collaborated to document the history of the YWCA Women of Distinction award through oral history interviews. The YWCA Leader Dinner began in 1973 to honor and recognize the contributions of women in the community. The name of the program changed to Women of Distinction and includes an award ceremony and fundraiser. The Young Women of Distinction award was added in 2005 to honor women between the age of 16 and 30. The Distinctive Difference award was added in 2012 to honor organizations that promote philanthropy in the community. Interviewees were either past award recipients or employed by the organization.

The YWCA in Mankato website is available at the following: https://www.mankatoywca.org/

The Women of Distinction website is available at the following: https://www.mankatoywca.org/women-distinction

Extent

1.00 hollinger_box

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection consists of audio and transcripts of oral histories conducted in 2016 and 2017 by Minnesota State University, Mankato students under the direction of Professors Christopher Corley and Angela Jill Cooley. They interviewed 15 Greater Mankato YWCA (Young Women Christian Association) Women of Distinction honorees to document the history of the YWCA’s annual award and how the program fulfills YWCA goals of empowering women and eliminating racism.

Source of Acquisition

Christopher Corley on behalf of the Minnesota State University, Mankato History Department donated this collection in 2017 and 2018.

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title: Greater Mankato YWCA (Young Women's Christian Association) Women of Distinction Oral History Project. Collection, 2016-Ongoing
Status: Completed
Author: Adam Smith processed this collection
Date: 2018-07
Description rules: Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description: English
Script of description: Latin
Language of description note: English