Pan-Pacific and Southeast Asia Women's Association of the U.S.A. Records
General International Standard for Archival Description
Sophia Smith Collection Smith College Northampton, MA
Finding aid encoded in NoteTab Pro. Encoded by Hilary Buxton. 2011-05-06
Encoded Archival Description
Encoded Archival Description (EAD) Version 2002
collection
Pan Pacific and Southeast Asia Women's Association of the U.S.A. Records
Creation of Pan Pacific and Southeast Asia Women's Association of the U.S.A. Records
Time of Creation of Pan Pacific and Southeast Asia Women's Association of the U.S.A. Records
Pan Pacific and Southeast Asia Women's Association of the U.S.A.
Biographical History for: Pan Pacific and Southeast Asia Women's Association of the U.S.A. Records
Historical Note The Pan-Pacific and Southeast Asia Women's Association (PPSEAWA) was founded in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1930 with the intention to "strengthen the bonds of peace among Pacific peoples by promoting a better understanding and friendship among the women of all Pacific countries." The women organizers also sought to "promote co-operation...for the study and betterment of existing conditions" throughout the Pacific Rim. The Association initially conducted its work primarily through international meetings where delegates shared information and raised awareness about international women's issues. PPSEAWA evolved to encompass an international umbrella organization and autonomous national associations, which had local chapters. Beginning in 1930, the national chapters of PPSEAWA, which include countries of the South Pacific and Pacific Islands, Southeast and East Asia as well as the United States, convened triennially for international conferences to share information and coordinate programming. The groups also kept in contact through newsletters. The American section of the international membership organization-the Pan-Pacific and Southeast Asia Women's Association of the U.S.A. (PPSEAWA-USA), the entity that generated the records in the Sophia Smith Collection-has had chapters in cities that ranged from New York City to Stockton, California and Valdosta, Georgia. The Toledo, Ohio and New York City chapters became the most active U.S. chapters in the 1950s and 1960s, a time in which PPSEAWA was among a group of internationalist organizations promoting stronger alliances between the U.S. and Pacific Rim countries. In the early 1950s, PPSEAWA International established consultative status at the United Nations and UNESCO as a non-governmental organization. Although PPSEAWA was not oriented toward political advocacy, this network exerted an influence on and was shaped by liberal Cold War foreign policy. Declaring its "unique function" to bring together women "not as specialists or as feminists but as people interested in exchanging ideas and practical experiences," PPSEAWA-USA sponsored programs that brought together clubwomen activists with diplomats and cultural ambassadors. Events such as lectures and fashion shows were designed to foster personal interactions as well as intercultural appreciation. PPSEAWA leaders in the New York area provided hospitality services for visitors and emigrants to the U.S., and they participated in United Nations efforts. PPSEAWA remains active. In the United States, it has been primarily an educational organization that promotes contact among women interested in Asian and Pacific issues. Notable members of PPSEAWA-USA have included Ella Stewart, the first licensed African-American woman pharmacist in the United States, Goodwill Ambassador to the Department of State, and president of the National Association of Colored Women; and social work educator Elmina Lucke. Internationally, chapters carry out community development and women's health programs while remaining closely involved with United Nations activities.
The Pan-Pacific and Southeast Asia Women's Association of the U.S.A. began to donate its records to the Sophia Smith Collection in 1988.
Scope and Contents of the Collection The PPSEAWA-USA Records consist of 5 linear feet of organizational materials, dating from 1938 to 2007. They include minutes and reports, correspondence, conference materials, newsletters, and scrapbooks. The bulk of the records are dated from the 1950s to the 1960s. SERIES I. HISTORY AND ADMINISTRATION documents the administration of the national organization and provides some information regarding local chapters and international activities. It also contains scrapbooks (one of which is located in the OVERSIZE MATERIALS) that document international conferences and the group's history with photographs and memorabilia. SERIES II. CONFERENCES contains materials generated by PPSEAWA's international conferences. These materials cover a large span of the organization's history. SERIES III. PUBLICATIONS includes long-term runs of the international and American newsletters. The "Heritage Books" contained in this series detail the histories of PPSEAWA International and its member organizations.
This collection has not been fully processed and therefore may be difficult to use. The Sophia Smith Collection owns copyright to PPSEAWA-USA's unpublished works. Permission must be obtained to publish reproductions or quotations beyond "fair use." Copyright to materials authored by others may be owned by those individuals or their heirs or assigns. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights. Permission to publish reproductions or quotations beyond "fair use" must also be obtained from the Sophia Smith Collection as owners of the physical property.
The Records are open to research according to the regulations of the Sophia Smith Collection without any additional restrictions.
Additional Formats This collection is available on microfilm in the Sophia Smith Collection and via interlibrary loan. (Contact the SSC for more information).
Related materials can be found in the papers of PPSEAWA members Gladys M. Bradley, Elmina Lucke, and Josephine Schain, also housed in the Sophia Smith Collection. The Swarthmore College Peace Collection in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania holds a portion of the PPSEAWA-USA Records, documenting the years between the 1920s and 1940s.
Processed by Amanda Izzo, 2010.
Pacific Islanders
lcsh
Islands of the Pacific--Women--History--Sources
Pan-Pacific relations--History--Sources
Women--Asia, Southeastern--Congresses
Women--Asia, Southeastern--History--Sources
Women--International cooperation--History--Sources
Women--Pacific Area--Congresses
Pan Pacific and Southeast Asia Women's Association
lcnaf
Asia, Southeastern--Women--History--Sources
series
SERIES I. HISTORY AND ADMINISTRATION
Brochures, histories, and general publications 1939-94
Bylaws 1956-70
Event programs and invitations 1957-79
Minutes, financial materials, and reports
Correspondence
To members, general 1939-58
State, Department of 1956-58
Chapter files
Australia-Japan 2004-06, n.d.
New Zealand 1963-64, n.d.
Tonga n.d.
United States
Hawaii 2003-08
Toledo, Ohio 1963, 1999, n.d.
[see also Correspondence, T]
Clippings 1928-92
Scrapbooks
[see also Oversize and Flat File]
Janet Fowler 1955-57
"Modes and Mores of the Orient II" 1958
"Ten Years of PPSEAWA-USA 1957-67"
PPSEAWA international conference, Auckland, New Zealand 1972
SERIES II. CONFERENCES
PPSEAWA international and regional conferences
United Nations conferences: PPSEAWA reports and conference materials
General 1955-2004
UN Center Development 1969
World Youth Assembly 1970
SERIES III. PUBLICATIONS
Cookbook 1981
Heritage books 1990-2007
PPSEAWA Bulletin/International Bulletin: newsletter 1959-2001
PPSEAWA -USA newsletter 1954-2006
OVERSIZE MATERIALS
PPSEAWA conference, Tonga 1964: commemorative stamps
Fiji Community Education Training Centre: scrapbook 1986?
Posters 1991-2007
Memorabilia