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More than 1,000 delegates and visitors gathered in University City for the first National Convention of the American Woman's League which was held from June 9 through June 11, 1910. This was their opportunity to learn more about the League and hear about founder Edward Gardner Lewis' plans for the future. Each attendee received a copy of this Official Program with the schedule of meetings and events planned for each day. It also included a history of the American Woman's League, a list of League Departments, photographs of the buildings, and advertisements for companies and publishers that supported the League.
Members of the American Woman's League living in the same community were encouraged to organize into chapters. This form, which spells out in detail all of the requirements for a chapter, was to be completed by the members who wished to organize. This document is probably one of the earliest League documents because it refers only to sales of Lewis Publishing Company publications to qualify for membership.
“University City and the American Woman’s League” was published by the Lewis Publishing Company. It is undated, but was probably printed in March 1908. It was intended to be a promotional piece for University City, featuring Lewis’ “University City Plan” for development in the recently incorporated city, as well as for the American Woman's League with its broad range of benefits. Original plans for the League included not only the correspondence school and a postal library, but also a retreat for indigent members, an orphanage, and a loan and relief fund. An exchange program, under the supervision of the People’s University, was intended to provide members with an outlet for fancywork and other products that they made in their homes. (Note: Pages 17 and 18 are missing)
This “Application for Free Membership in American Woman's League” was approved by the Board of Managers at their meeting on May 20, 1911, and was to become effective June 1, 1911. This particular form was to be used for those who joined under the installment plan, which allowed a new member to pay $5 per month, either in subscriptions or in cash for purchase certificates, until payment of $100 was completed. On completion of all payments, the member would receive the Final Certificate of Life Membership.
This “Special Cash Application for Membership in the American Woman’s League” was approved by the Board of Managers at their meeting on May 20, 1911, and was to become effective June 1, 1911. This particular form was to be used by those who wanted to join the League but had no desire to sell subscriptions or buy purchase certificates. By paying an initial deposit of $10 and then $5 per month for a total of $50, the new member would be eligible for all rights and privileges of membership. On completion of all payments, the member would receive the Final Certificate of Life Membership.
“Charter Laws for Local Chapters” was published and distributed to all chapters shortly after the Convention of the American Woman’s League in June 1910. These had been approved by the Convention as part of the “Final Plan.” Officers of each local chapter were instructed to post this document.
This “Final Certificate of Active Membership of Founder’s Chapter, The American Woman’s League,” was issued to Mabel G. Lewis. Mrs. Lewis was the Vice President of the League and wife of founder Edward Gardner Lewis. Membership in the Founder’s Chapter was reserved for the first 100,000 members who joined the League and were in good standing. This certificate is Series A, No. 23088, and Old Number 86-64. The significance of the numbers is unknown. Photographs printed on the certificate include the Edwardsville, Illinois and Lebanon, Missouri American Woman’s League Chapter Houses, the Lion Gates, the Woman’s Magazine Building and Press Annex, and the Woman’s National Daily Building. The red seal on the left includes the League Emblem and the official founding date, June 11, 1910.
This “Final Certificate of Honorary Membership, The American Woman’s League” was issued to Howard Retaillian of 407 3rd Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky. Under the original plan, men were allowed to become honorary members of the League by paying $10 or selling $10 in subscriptions. Honorary members were not allowed to vote, but were entitled to all other rights and benefits. This was quickly increased to $20. At the end of 1909 the requirement was changed again, and all new members, both regular and honorary, were required to sell $52 in subscriptions or purchase certificates or pay $52 in cash. Those who were already honorary members retained their memberships. The reason given was that honorary members were taking greater advantage of free courses from the People’s University than regular members! Photographs printed on the certificate include the Edwardsville, Illinois and Lebanon, Missouri League Chapter Houses, the Lion Gates, the Woman’s Magazine Building and Press Annex, and the Woman’s National Daily Building. The red seal on the left includes the League Emblem and the official founding date, June 11, 1910.
“The American Woman’s League Its plan and purpose” was published in 1909 as a promotional brochure for the League. It includes the stated purpose of the League and outlines membership requirements. Also included is a list of “Class A” publications which the women could sell to receive credit toward their $52 memberships. Men could become honorary members of the League by paying $20 or selling $20 in subscriptions. A similar brochure with the same title was published in early 1911.
“The American Woman’s League Its plan and purpose” was published as a promotional brochure for the League probably in early 1911. It includes a lengthy description of membership requirements and options for “payment” for qualifying. By 1911, membership required women, and men who wanted to become honorary members, to sell $100 in Class A publications, pay $100 in cash or purchase the equivalent in purchase certificates. In addition to a list of Class A publications, a list of instructors and courses available through the People’s University is included.
“Nothing Like It In The World” is undated but probably printed in late 1909 as a promotional brochure targeting potential advertisers for the “Woman’s National Daily.” The 20 page booklet explains the benefits that advertising in the “Woman’s National Daily” could provide by reaching the vast audience of the American Woman’s League membership across the country. A special center insert includes testimonials from Congressmen Clayton of Alabama and Brown of Tennessee and Senators Burkett of Nebraska and Curtis of Kansas. The front cover features a drawing of the Art Academy and the back cover features a drawing of the Woman’s National Daily Building.
“The People’s University” was designed as a promotional brochure targeting teachers. Management of the American Woman’s League realized that teachers, especially those in more rural areas, might not be able to fulfill the subscription sales membership requirement. As an alternative, they offered to sell selected correspondence courses to teachers or to those interested in teaching. Courses included those for a Teacher Certificate, in special teaching methods and some college preparation courses. The League also offered a Secondary Teacher’s Review Bulletin intended to provide a summary and bibliography of current articles of interest to educators.
“American Woman’s League and the People’s University” was a major promotional brochure for the League. It included a description of the League and the University, along with a description of each division of the University. Several photographs are included, featuring staff and school buildings. A major emphasis is on the courses available. Staff must have changed often. An insert page has been added inside the front cover listing several staff changes.
“The Final Plan of the American Woman’s League” was adopted by members meeting in Convention in University City on June 11, 1910. This Plan was the result of several days’ meetings. In addition to the Final Plan, this booklet includes the Trust Agreement, the By-Laws of the Founder’s Chapter and the Charter Laws for local chapters. The indexes to the Final Plan and Charter Laws are on the last three pages.
The first meeting of the Board of Managers of the American Woman’s League was held on June 16, 1910, following the League Convention earlier in June. The role of the Board to was to manage the financial and organizational matters for the League. At the beginning, the minutes reflect the positive mood of board members, but by early 1911, board members were dealing with dwindling financial resources and conflicts among some chapter members. The minutes are generally brief and rarely contain details that might explain some of the troubles facing the League. By 1912, the League had folded, replaced by the American Woman’s Republic.
Issue 1 of Volume I of “The Pioneer of an American Woman’s Republic” was published by the American Woman’s League probably in the spring of 1911. The first several pages contain a detailed explanation of the American Woman’s Republic and its structure and organization. Photographs of the cabinet officers appear with a listing of all the state governors/regents of the Republic. This publication also includes an extensive report on the activities of the local chapters. Several pages are devoted to the People’s University and the Art Academy, and many of the products of the Art Academy are offered for sale. This was the first and probably the only edition of the “Pioneer.” No other issues have been located.
In 1911, several ceramic pieces from the People’s University’s Art Academy were submitted to the International Exposition of Industries and Achievement in Turin, Italy by the American Woman’s League. The works were primarily those of noted ceramic artist Adelaide Robineau, including her stunning Scarab vase. The League was awarded the Grand Prize over exhibits from across Europe and Asia. The Committee on Awards also recommended that the Grand Prize be awarded to Mrs. Robineau, but Grand Prizes were only awarded to exhibits, not to individuals. This Certificate was presented to the League, along with a gold medal.
“University City and the American Woman’s League” was published by the Lewis Publishing Company. It is undated, but was probably printed in March 1908. It was intended to be a promotional piece for University City, featuring Lewis’ “University City Plan” for development in the recently incorporated city, as well as for the American Woman's League with its broad range of benefits. Original plans for the League included not only the correspondence school and a postal library, but also a retreat for indigent members, an orphanage, and a loan and relief fund. An exchange program, under the supervision of the People’s University, was intended to provide members with an outlet for fancywork and other products that they made in their homes. (Note: Pages 17 and 18 are missing)
Issue 1 of Volume I of “The Pioneer of an American Woman’s Republic” was published by the American Woman’s League probably in the spring of 1911. The first several pages contain a detailed explanation of the American Woman’s Republic and its structure and organization. Photographs of the cabinet officers appear with a listing of all the state governors/regents of the Republic. This publication also includes an extensive report on the activities of the local chapters. Several pages are devoted to the People’s University and the Art Academy, and many of the products of the Art Academy are offered for sale. This was the first and probably the only edition of the “Pioneer.” No other issues have been located.

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