Finding aid for the Former Junior Federation Records


Repository: Western Reserve Historical Society
Creator: Former Junior Federation
Title: Former Junior Federation Records
Dates: 1927-1982
Extent: 0.20 linear feet (1 container)
Abstract: The Former Junior Federation (f. 1927) was an African American women's social club constituted of the former members of the Junior Federation in Cleveland, Ohio. It was originally called the Gertrude Fisher Club after the founder who molded a group of youngsters into an organization that gathered in each other's homes. The aims of the club were to instill an understanding of the body of culture and thought in the world, to train women to become more efficient club members and better citizens, and to promote service and philanthropy as well as social and cultural interests. In the 1950s they became members of the Council of Colored Women and renamed themselves the Junior Girls Federation. By 1965 they had again changed their name, this time to the Former Junior Federation, but continued their social, civic and friendly activities. The collection consists of a constitution, bylaws, membership rosters, minutes, financial statements, correspondence, clippings, and memorabilia.
MS Number MS 4235
Location: closed stacks
Language: The records are in English

History of the Former Junior Federation

The Former Junior Federation (f. 1927) was an African American women's social club constituted of the former members of the Junior Federation in Cleveland, Ohio. It was originally called the Gertrude Fisher Club after the founder who molded a group of youngsters into an organization that gathered in each other's homes. The aims of the club were to instill an understanding of the body of culture and thought in the world, to train women to become more efficient club members and better citizens, and to promote service and philanthropy as well as social and cultural interests. Their activities included teas, basketball games, card parties, musical reviews, fund raisers, dances, and art displays. In the 1950s they became members of the Council of Colored Women and renamed themselves the Junior Girls Federation. Their activities became increasingly civic-oriented as they filled and presented baskets of food to impoverished families, contributed to the Metzenbaum Children's Center, and volunteered at local institutions such as the Karamu House, Forest City Hospital, Eliza Bryant Center, Cuyahoga County Receiving Home, and Our Lady of Fatima. By 1965, they had again changed their name, this time to the Former Junior Federation, but continued their social, civic and fraternal activities.


Scope and Content

The Former Junior Federation Records, 1927-1982 and undated, consist of the organization's constitution, bylaws, membership rosters, minutes, financial statements, correspondence, clippings, and memorabilia.

This collection pertains primarily to the efforts of African American women in Cleveland, Ohio, to band together and improve the conditions of their community and themselves during the twentieth century.


Statement of Arrangement

The collection is arranged by document type and then chronologically.

Restrictions on Access

None.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects:

African American women -- Ohio -- Cleveland.
African Americans -- Ohio -- Cleveland.
Cleveland (Ohio) -- Social life and customs.
Clubs -- Ohio -- Cleveland.
Former Junior Federation (Cleveland, Ohio).
Women -- Social conditions.
Women -- Societies and clubs.

Preferred Citation

[Container ___, Folder ___ ] MS 4235 Former Junior Federation Records, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio

Acquisition Information

Anne Moore, 1986.

Processing Information

Processed by Bari Oyler Stith in 1988.

Detailed Description of The Collection

Former Junior Federation Records 1927-1982 undated

Box Folder
1 1 Constitution and bylaws 1971 1979 undated
1 1 History undated
1 1 Membership rosters 1952-1978 undated
1 2 Minutes 1927-1928 1962-1970 1980
1 3 Financial statements 1952-1979 undated
1 3 Reports 1972
1 3 Correspondence 1933-1982 undated
1 4 Newspaper clippings 1954-1982 undated
1 5 Memorabilia 1929-1982 undated