Texas Tech University Archives
TTU History Pages
There are numerous resources within the Southwest Collection that document women's history at Texas Tech.
 Four of the five women enrolled in the first class of the Law School in 1967. |
 Undated photograph of twirlers rehearsing with the Texas Tech Goin' band. |
The Texas Tech Women's Timeline highlights many of important milestones throughout the university's history.
The Women Who Shaped Texas Tech page features women who have made lasting impressions on the university and their communities. Each year 3-5 women are selected as a "woman who shaped Texas Tech" honoree. These women have legacies and/or have made contributions that span decades.
The Women's History Month page highlights aspects of the "Women Who Shaped Texas Tech" exhibit the University Archives creates each March in celebration of national Women's History Month.
A Guide to Women in Texas lists the diversity of holdings within the Southwest Collection covering the lives, achievements and activities of women in the State of Texas.
Resources within the University Archives related to TTU women's history: Manuscript Collections, Oral History Collections, Photograph Collections, and Additional Resources
Academics:
- U 92.3 Home Economics Records, 1952-1981 and undated: This 7 box collection contains material documenting the activities of Texans for ERA. Included are organizational records, correspondence, printed material, and brochures. Eight posters on ERA transferred to oversize section.
- U 93.1 Home Economics Department Records, 1967, 1971: This 2 wallet collection includes brochures and programs concerning the Home Economics Department at Texas Tech University.
- U 261.1 College of Human Sciences: This 36 box, 59 scrapbooks, 2 blueprints and 72 sound recordings collection includes annual departmental reports, alumni recollections, faculty biographies, degree programs and proposals, and historical information on Phi Upsilon Omicron and the Home Management House. Many of the scrapbooks have been digitized and are available for viewing as PDFs here.
- U 85.1 Health, Physical Education and Recreation Records, 1958-1980: This 4 box collection contains mainly administrative materials, including correspondence, meeting minutes, faculty reports and information, tenure files, degree requirements and curriculum, and registration statistics.
- U 385.1 Women's Studies Program Records, 1980-2006 - This 8 box collection contains the administrative files for the program, including correspondence, minutes from the Women's Studies Council, and the working conference files.
Administration:
- U 57.1 Dean of Women Records, undated: This 4 box collection contains the records concerning the instruction and behavior of female students of the college. Also included are the scrapbooks of the Association of Women Students, Las Leales Honor Society, and the Freshman Honor Society dating from 1928 through 1957.
- S 1146.1 Margaret W. Weeks Papers, 1925-1967: This 2 box collection includes correspondence, biographical data, and a listing of honors and minutes of the Quarterly Club (1932-1957) of Texas Technological College. The collection bulks with six scrapbooks pertaining to Margaret Weeks' career and activities and business related to Texas Technological College. Weeks was one of the original faculty members at Texas Tech as well as the first Dean of the School of Home Economics.
- U 334.1 Margaret E. Wilson Papers, 1935-2007: This 19 box collection documents Dr. Wilson's work as a professor in the Physical Education division, her time as president of the Faculty Senate during the conflict between the faculty and Tech President Lauro Cavazos, and, as a pioneer in Tech's women's athletics, her work in obtaining equal resources for women's athletic programs.
- The February 13, 1965 Board of Regents meeting minutes contains a report by Florence L. Phillips, Dean of Women, which gives an brief overview of education for women in the United States since 1837 before delving into the history of women's education at Texas Tech, its related social and honor programs and activities, recommendations for the future, and an appendix containing statistics on college enrollment of women.
- The April 10, 1965 Board of Regents meeting minutes contains a report by Willa Vaughn Tinsley, Dean of the School of Home Economics, which gives a history of the students, faculty, and the school's programs and facilities.
- Women's Recognition Service, 1932-1966 (See U 14.1 James G. Allen Records)
- U 189.1 Women's Studies Council Records, 1981-2001 and undated: This 1 box collection consists of the Women's Studies exit interviews, conducted from 1981-2001, of former Texas Tech employees.
Faculty:
- American Association of University Women. Lubbock Chapter Records, 1925-1962: Founded in 1882, the AAUW is an organization open to all women holding a baccalaureate degree from an AAUW-accredited university. Its purpose is to work for the advancement of women, as well as for the solution of social, economic, and political problems. Includes printed materials, annual reports, and miscellaneous information about AAUW.
- S ? American Association of University Women Records, 1969-1977 and undated: This is a 2 wallet collection.
- S ? American Association of University Women Records, 1969-1977 and undated: This is a 2 wallet collection.
- S ? American Association of University Women Records, 1928-1981 and undated: This is a 3 box collection of scrapbooks and literary publications.
- U 204.1 American Association of University Women Records, 1951-1952: This is a 1 wallet collection contains the "Annual Report: Lubbock Branch, 1951-1952."
- American Association of University Women Records, 1947-1953 (See
- American Association of University Women Records, 1957 (see U 57.1 Dean of Women Records)
- American Association of University Women Records, 1971-1988 (See U 147.37 Lauro Cavazos Records)
- American Association of University Women Records, 1972-1981 (See U 192.3 Home Economics Records)
- S 375.1 Edna Gott Papers, 1960-1986: This 1 wallet collection bulks with employment records, correspondence, personal material and class evaluations of Dr. Gott. There is also material on Dr. Gott’s discrimination charge against Texas Tech University’s Economics Department, as well as papers and a tape on the memorial service held for Dr. Gott.
- U 76.1 Faculty Women's Club Records, 1943-1974: This 1 box collection primarily contains news clippings, meeting minutes and activity summaries.
- U 371.1 Margarette Harden Mercer Collection, 1940-2000: This collection consists of the research, publications, and field notes of Dr. Margarette Harden Mercer. There are also 721 slides in this collection and 10 scrapbooks.
- S ? Ilse Hildegarde Wolf Papers, 1926-1942: This 1 wallet collection consists of scrapbook and legal materials pertaining to Wolf's education and career. It bulks (1926-1942) with a news clipping scrapbook.
- Women's Faculty Club, 1949-1963 (see U 49.1 Dewey O. Wiley Papers)
General:
- Freshmen Honor Society, 1938-1949 (See U 14.1 James G. Allen Records)
- Freshmen Girls Honor Society, 1939-1940 (See U 14.1 James G. Allen Records)
- Freshmen Honor Society scrapbooks, 1938-1948 (see U 57.1 Dean of Women Records)
- U 398.1 Maxine Fry Scrapbook, 1937-1958: This scrapbook is in very fragile condition. It includes news clippings and a few photographs concerning Maxine's years at Texas Technological College, the beginning of her teaching career and her wedding. There are also a few loose items such as her student government campaign poster.
Honor Organizations:
- U 121.1 Mortar Board Records, 1928-2005: This 3 box and 5 newspaper box collection consists of materials related to the original organization, Forum, Forum Chapter of Mortar Board, and the Alumni Chapter of Mortar Board. Manuscript material dates back to 1928, and includes 45 prints, 25 negatives, 1 contact sheet, 2 VHS tapes, 1 photo CD, 1 audio CD. Also included is a collection of 9 chapter scrapbooks dating back to 1939.
- Mortar Board, 1954-1963 (See U 14.1 James G. Allen Records)
- Mortar Board, 1956-1957 (see U 57.1 Dean of Women Records)
- There are also the following Mortar Board interviews:
- Rebecca Akard oral history interview (2001)
- Betty Bell oral history interview (2001)
- Melinda Corwin oral history interview (2001)
- Keig Elle oral history interview (2001)
- Willouise Fortenbery oral history interview (2001)
- Emily Anny Core Gilmer oral history interview (2001)
- Elizabeth G. Haley oral history interview (2001)
- Carolyn Harding oral history interview (2001)
- Jean A. Jenkins oral history interivew (1975)
- Victoria McClure oral history interview (2001)
- Pat Nunley oral history interview (2001)
- Barbara Anne McDougal oral history interview (2001)
- Judy Poffenbarger oral history interview (2001)
- Sue Ava Rainey oral history interview (1973)
- Elizabeth Thomasson oral history interview (1973)
- Winfred Vigness oral history interview (2001)
- Jo Beth Walker oral history interview (2001)
- Fran Waters oral history interview (2001)
- Rebecca Wylie oral history interview (2001)
- U 372.1 Phi Upsilon Omicron - Double Key Chapter Records, 1935-2007: This 2 box collection contains information regarding the history of the Texas Tech Double Key Chapter of the Phi Upsilon Omicron sorority, including membership cards, a scrapbook and photos of individual members.
- Phi Upsilon Omicron, 1932-1993 (see U 261.1 College of Human Sciences Records). Many of the scrapbooks from this collection have been digitized and are available for viewing here.
- Phi Upsilon Omicron, 1994-1998 (see U 371.1 Margarette Harden Mercer Collection)
Faculty, Staff and Spousal Social Groups:
- S ? Scotti Mae Tucker Papers, 1961-1969: This 1 wallet collection contains include Quarterly Club minutes and programs.
- S 1146.1 Margaret W. Weeks Papers, 1925-1967: This collection includes the minutes of the Quarterly Club from 1932-1963.
- Quarterly Club, 1956-1957 (see U 57.1 Dean of Women Records)
- U 203.1 School of Medicine- Tech Medical Student Association (TMSA) Records, 1972-1983 and undated: This is a 1 box collection consists of organization records and news clippings pertaining to the Tech Medical Spouse Association.
- U 210.1 Techsan Garden Club Records, 1962-1988: The Techsan Garden Club was an organization of the University Women’s group, started in 1962, and was a member of the National Council of State Garden Clubs.
- U 188.1 University Women's Club Records, 1960-1991: This 3 box collection contains details of the clubs activities including financial materials, newspaper clippings, and photographs. Also includes 5 large scrapbooks filled with photographs and information on the club’s activities and members.
- U 188.2 University Women's Club Records, 1930-2009: This 2 box collection contains correspondence, a history of the organization dated 1930-2009, information on fundraisers and events, yearbooks and the president's notebooks, files and reports. Also included are 292 photographs.
Student Organizations:
- Alpha Delta Pi, 1951 (See U 14.1 James G. Allen Records)
- U 18.1 Angel Flight Records, 1960-1986 and undated: This collection consists of 1 scrapbook, 5 boxes, and 1 wallet, and contains scrapbooks and composite portraits of the Texas Tech Angel Flight and Arnold Air Society organizations.
- S 45.1 Association of Women Students Scrapbook, 1968 and undated: This 1 wallet collection contains a scrapbook of the Women’s Day banquet and activities at Texas Tech in 1968 plus a few loose photographs of the event. It also contains some undated photographs.
- U 310.1 Association of Women Students Collection, 1938-1969: This 1 box collection contains programs for the Recognition Services and Women's Day events.
- Association of Women Students, 1929-1968(see U 14.1 James G. Allen Records)
- Association of Women Students scrapbooks, 1928-1957(see U 57.1 Dean of Women Records)
- Association of Women Students newsletter, 1970 (see U 261.1 Human Sciences Records)
- Association of Women Students, undated (see U 148.3 Public Information Records)
- Association of Women Students Scrapbook (part 1), 1949-1951 (from U57.1 Dean of Women's Records)
- Association of Women Students Scrapbook (part 2), 1951-1953 (from U57.1 Dean of Women's Records)
- Chi Omega, 1945-1965 (see U 14.1 James G. Allen Records)
- Collegium: Women's Independent Association, 1941 (see U 14.1 James G. Allen Records)
- Council of Women Graduates, 1941-1943 (see U 14.1 James G. Allen Records)
- U 195.1 High Riders Records, 1976-1991: This 3 box collection contains 6 scrapbooks with photographs and news clippings detailing the High Riders' activities. It also contains 17 sweaters of three different styles worn by the High Riders organization.
- U 195.2 High Riders Records, undated: This is a 2 box collection.
- Intercollegiate Association of Women Students, 1944-1965 (See U 14.1 James G. Allen Records)
- International Association of Women Students, 1940-1967 (See U 14.1 James G. Allen Records)
- Kappa Kappa Gamma, 1950-1965 (See U 14.1 James G. Allen Records)
- Pi Beta Phi, 1957-1965 (See U 14.1 James G. Allen Records)
- Sigma Kappa, 1950-1965 (See U 14.1 James G. Allen Records)
- Women's Inter-Club Council, 1939-1952 (See U 14.1 James G. Allen Records)
- Women's Inter-Club Council minutes, 1943-1947- oversized (See U 14.1 James G. Allen Records)
- Women's Recreation Association, 1938-1955 (See U 14.1 James G. Allen Records)
- U 232.1 Women's Service Organization Records, 1964-1998 and undated: This 2 box collection contains memorabilia, photographs and scrapbooks that were gathered by members over the years.
- U 232.2 Women's Service Organization Scrapbooks, 1996-2004 and undated: This 3 box collection contains 14 scrapbooks documenting WSO activities, rush and pledges.
- See also U 15.1 Alpha Phi Omega for WSO materials
- Women's Service Organization, 1991-1999 (see U 185.6 University News and Publications Records)
Faculty:
- Ruth Horn Andrews and Mabel Irwin oral history interview (1968) - Recalls early years of Texas Tech with emphasis on faculty matters.
- Sannie Callan oral history interview (1975) - Discusses teaching in Home Economics, the Home Management House, the Child Development Program's origin, and women's liberation.
- Mrs. William [Georgia?] Dingus oral history interview (1972) - Talks about work with women's rights, women's liberation, and the anti-German sentiment following World War I.
- Mrs. Dorothy T. Garner oral history interview (1973) - Addresses women's residence hall administration and curfew policies.
- Dr. and Mrs. W. B. Gates oral history interview (1968) - Eunice Joiner Gates, who was among the earliest Tech faculty members, discusses the situation of wives of professors teaching and the first librarian at Tech.
- Lola Green oral history interview- faculty (1973) - recalls her time as a Tech student and her career as an Texas Tech English professor and dean of girls in Sundown.
- Elizabeth G. Haley oral history interview (undated)
- Melanie Hart oral history interview (2011) - Discusses being a student in the Department of Health, Physical Recreation and Education, and her time as a professor at Texas Tech.
- Barbara Gail House oral history interview (2015) - Discusses growing up during the depression, her career as a home economist, and the faculty and development of the College of Huma Sciences.
- Lahib Jaddo oral history interview (2014) - Discusses her Iraqi upbringing, education, teaching art in the School of Architecture at Texas Tech for the past 17 years and the cultural influences on her personal art work.
- Mina W. Lamb oral history interview- faculty (1975 and 1981) - Describes her academic accomplishments as a student and faculty member of the Home Economics Department, as well as the history of that department and reminisces on former colleagues.
- Mrs. George Langford oral history interview (1973) - covers her time as the first women's PE teacher, the department's curriculum, and both sexes sharing the same facilities
- Marilyn Phelan oral history interview (1998) - Discusses her long career as a law professor, women in law school and attitudes towards female law graduates.
- Edith Lucille Robinson oral history interview (undated) - Former secretary to the first and second presidents of Texas Tech, she discusses the early history of Texas Tech and its people.
- Virginia Snelling oral history interview(1973) - Talks about her 46-year career at Tech as the Payroll and Employee Benefits departments.
- Willa Vaugh Tinsley oral history interview- faculty (1975) - Talks about her teaching career in Home Economics and impressions of changes in the field of human and family relations.
- Billie Wolfe oral history interview- faculty (1973) - Touches on her career in the Home Economics Department, its activities and students.
- Ilse Wolfe oral history interview- faculty (1975) - Discusses her teaching career in Home Economics and the changes at Texas Tech over a 50 year time span.
- Virginia West oral history interview (1964) - reflections on her sister, Elizabeth Howard West, Texas Tech's first librarian.
Athletics:
- Micah Atkins Oral History Interview- (2004) Lady Raiders Basketball.
- Banks, Amanda Lee- track (2016)
- Krista Kirkland Gerlich oral history interview- (2003) Lady Raiders basketball
- Nikki (Nicole Monique) Heath oral history interview- (2005) Lady Raiders basketball
- Judi Henry oral history interview- (2016) former Dean of Students, talks about women's athletics at Texas Tech
- Diana Kersey oral history interview- (2003) Lady Raiders basketball
- Cynthia Clinger Kinghorn oral history interview- (2003) Lady Raiders basketball
- Zoe Merriman Kirkpatrick oral history interview- ( 2004) fencing
- Mrs. George (Johnnye?) Langford- (1973) women's physical education
- Peggy Maxwell oral history interview- (1997) Southwest Conference Women's Basketball Tournament Board of Directors
- Wanda Perry oral history interview- (2004) fencing
- Sue Kingsbery Porter oral history interview- (2009) Lady Raiders basketball
- Kim Pruitt oral history interview- (2003) Lady Raiders basketball
- Marsha Sharp oral history interview- (2016) Lady Raiders head basketball coach
- Natalie Ritchie oral history interview- (2003) Lady Raiders Basketball
- Natalie Denise Steadman oral history interview- (2003) Lady Raiders Basketball
- Sheryl Swoopes oral history interview- (1993 Reunion) Lady Raider Basketball
- Michelle Thomas oral history interview- (1993 Reunion) Lady Raiders Basketball
- Melinda White oral history interview- (2003) Lady Raiders basketball
General:
- Jane Blay oral history interview- faculty (2015) - Discusses attending Texas Tech in the early 1960s, living in the Home Management House, and her career as a Home Demonstration Agent in Gains and Terry Counties.
- Barbara Davis oral history interview (2014) - Talks about being a student in the 1950s and living in the Practice House run by the School of Home Economics.
- Helen Mack Hume Akers oral history interview (1982) - Talks about being a student at Texas Tech during World War II.
- Ruth Horn Andrews and Mabel Irwin oral history interview (1968) - Recalls early years of Texas Tech with emphasis on faculty matters.
- Mrs. Shirley S. Bates oral history interview (1975) - Talks the development of food services at Texas Tech.
- Pauline Bean oral history interview (1975) - Talks about the Home Economics Department and how it influenced her life
- Mrs. Dorothy T. Garner oral history interview (1973) - Addresses women's residence hall administration and curfew policies
- Aurora Chaides Hernandez oral history interview (1998) - Talks about attending Nursing and Law School at Texas Tech, raising children while in school, and discrimination issues.
- Mrs. Bill Poage Hickerson oral history interview (2000) - Discusses student life at Texas Tech from 1925-1928.
- Jean A. (Mrs. J. Harmon) Jenkins oral history interview (1975) - Covers many early Tech topics from 1930s-1950s, including introduction of women's sorority systems to campus and initiation of athletes into the Double T Association.
- Virginia Landwer oral history interview (1981, 1982) - Topics covered include Women's Athletic Association, the Women's Recognition Service, and Doak Hall in 1934.
- Wanda Perry oral history interview (2004) - Covers topics such as the fencing team and balancing student life with athletics.
- Edith Lucille Robinson oral history interview (undated) - Talks about the early history of Texas Tech and its people.
- Dorothy Rylander oral history interview (1981) - Talks about being a student at Texas Tech in the 1920-30s.
- Dorothy Rylander oral history interview (1985) - Talks more about Texas Tech over the years.
- Mrs. Wilmer Smith oral history interview (1976) - Talks about being a student at Texas Tech in the 1930s, her distinguished career, women's liberation and women at other universities.
Race and Gender Issues:
- Mary Louise Brewer oral history interview- faculty (1976) - Discusses teaching at Tech, Black students and early discrimination against female instructors.
- Mary Louise Brewer oral history interview- faculty (1988) - Touches on difficulty for women finding jobs.
- Stella Crockett Courtney oral history interview- (2010)- Covers her time as the first non-transfer African American student to graduate from Texas Tech.
- Mrs. Lucille Graves oral history interview (1974)- Covers her admittance into Tech as the first African American student.
- Anita Carmona Harrison oral history interview (2009) - discusses her time at Texas Tech University and her experiences as being part of the Hispanic community in Lubbock.
- Maria Rivas oral history interview (2010)- talks about life at Texas Technological College during the mid-1960s. She discusses her views on bilingual education, racial discrimination and Los Tertulianos (Texas Tech's first minority student organization).
- Public Information Photograph Collection, 1926-1968 - Contains early images of women at Texas Tech.
- Red Raider Retrospectives, 1925- - Contains numerous images of women's activities and organizations, and female students, faculty and administrators.
- Winston Reeves Photograph Collection, 1930s-1990 - Contains early images of women at Texas Tech.
- Texas Tech Alumni Association Publications, 1937-1964 - Contains news coverage on the activities of the Council of Women Graduates, various women's groups and degree programs, and women faculty.
- Board of Regents Meeting Minutes - The minutes from the BOR contains information of women's issues such as housing, academic programs, and female faculty.
- Course Catalogs - The TTU course catalogs outline academic offerings to women as well as information on the campus and student organizations.
- Tech Tips - These handbooks described Housing and Dining policies and fees, the various student organizations on campus, and gave advice on proper social etiquette for young female college students.
- The Activist's Forum, 1968-1969 - This short run Texas Tech student newspaper covered topics such as women's rights, racism, protest movements, and civil rights.
- The Catalyst, 1969-1971 - This Texas Tech related student newspaper was a controversial underground paper whose censorship lead to a notable court case involving freedom of the press for school newspapers. Topics covered included politics, racial discord, women's rights, and the Vietnam War.
- El Editor, 1977-2013 - The newspaper for the Hispanic community of Lubbock includes articles on women's activities and programs.
- The Toreador, 1925- - The official Texas Tech student newspaper contains numerous articles on women's activities related to the university.
- The Southwest Digest, 1977-2014 - The newspaper for the African-American community of Lubbock includes articles on women's activities and programs.