Corporate body

Women Associates of McGill University

1906

Founded in 1906 as a merger of the McGill Women’s Club (1905) and the McGill Women’s Union (circa 1900) the Women’s Associates of McGill University was an organization primarily for the wives and daughters of McGill University administrators, faculty and leadership. The official mandate of the McGill Women’s Associates was to “to furnish… the interests and activities of social life of McGill University…”.

Many of the social events and activities mentioned were reflective of their times, during the war years the organization raised funds by buying war bonds as well as knitting projects and correspondence to frontline forces in the world wars. Peacetime activities included book sales, tea soirees and philanthropic endeavours such as providing scholarships. The fonds extends well past the first half of the twentieth century and up to 2007 reflecting the activities of the organization. The organization has changed its name several times (McGill Women’s Club, McGill Women’s Union, Women’s Associates of McGill University) and has remained an important part of McGill’s history.

McGill University

The Women Associates of McGill University is a social and service club predominantly made up of wives of members of faculty. It grew out of the amalgamation of the McGill Women's Club (an association of professors' wives formed in 1905) and the McGill Women's Union, established by the Ladies' Auxiliary of the McGill Y.M.C.A. to assist with Red Cross work during World War I. The Women's Union absorbed the McGill Women's Club in 1922, and in 1933 the name of the organization was changed to Women Associates. The club has promoted the social life of McGill through teas, and assisting in the organization of special celebrations. In the 1920s and 1930s, the Women Associates worked closely with the University Settlement. However, the major thrust of their service efforts are directed towards students: visiting those who are sick, helping foreign students adjust to Canada, establishing a bursary fund, and providing comforts for McGill men on active service during two World Wars.

The mandate according to the 1933 constitution is “to furnish an organization by means of which the various interests and activities of the social life of McGill University may be assisted, and any community work properly within the field of the University may be furthered.”

Administration consisted of an Executive Board and a general membership. The Executive Board consisted of a Past President, President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Several committees existed within the organization, such as the Refreshment Committee, Programme Committee, and Special Problems Committee.