Sioux Falls in Minnehaha County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

AAUW Sioux Falls Branch

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 12, 2016

1. AAUW Sioux Falls Branch Marker

Side A

Inscription.

AAUW Sioux Falls Branch. . , Side A , During most of the 19th century, few women completed high school and only daughters of the privileged or well educated had an opportunity for a higher education. In 1881 seventeen women met in Boston, Massachusetts, to discuss forming an association to help other women. By earning a college degree, each had greatly exceeded the educational prospects available for most women of that time. This group formally organized a month later as the Association of Collegiate Alumnae (ACA) . Its mission was to band together to encourage other women to pursue the goals of a college education, equity for all women and girls, lifelong education and positive societal change. The first ACA research survey studied the impact of higher education upon the health of women. Contrary to statements made by a prominent Boston physician, the study reached the conclusion that a woman’s health was not adversely effected by attending college. ACA offered to admit branches as local chapters of the parent organization, and South Dakota’s first branch was organized at Huron in 1917. Later the national association’s name was changed to American Association of University Women (AAUW)

Side B , .In 1923 Lorena King Fairbanks invited 11 women to her home for a March 18 organizational meeting. Included was Claire Coulter, wife of the president of Sioux Falls College. Sioux Falls became the third branch in the state, and Lorena was elected its first president. Early action by the new branch included a letter to President Calvin Coolidge endorsing America’s participation in the League of Nations and the World Court. In the 1930’s the branch began a children’s theater project, surveyed recreation facilities available to girls 13 to 25, and hosted local young women who were first-time voters. Some branch meetings were held in nearby Glidden Hall. In the 1950’s one branch survey led to the opening of the Minnehaha Mental Health Center, the first in the state, while a second survey prompted the beginning of the public junior high school system. With support from the branch, the first woman was elected to the Sioux Falls School Board. Over the years the branch has raised more than $200,000 for scholarships for women to attend the University of Sioux Falls and other colleges. Since its modest beginnings in 1881, AAUW has been a catalyst for change. It continues to contribute to a more promising future for women and girls and to promote a powerful voice on their behalf.

Side A
During most of the 19th century, few women completed high school and only daughters of the privileged or well educated had an opportunity for a higher education. In 1881 seventeen women met in Boston, Massachusetts, to discuss forming an association to help other women. By earning a college degree, each had greatly exceeded the educational prospects available for most women of that time. This group formally organized a month later as the Association of Collegiate Alumnae (ACA) . Its mission was to band together to encourage other women to pursue the goals of a college education, equity for all women and girls, lifelong education and positive societal change. The first ACA research survey studied the impact of higher education upon the health of women. Contrary to statements made by a prominent Boston physician, the study reached the conclusion that a woman’s health was not adversely effected by attending college. ACA offered to admit branches as local chapters of the parent organization, and South Dakota’s first branch was organized at Huron in 1917. Later the national association’s name was

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changed to American Association of University Women (AAUW)

Side B
.In 1923 Lorena King Fairbanks invited 11 women to her home for a March 18 organizational meeting. Included was Claire Coulter, wife of the president of Sioux Falls College. Sioux Falls became the third branch in the state, and Lorena was elected its first president. Early action by the new branch included a letter to President Calvin Coolidge endorsing America’s participation in the League of Nations and the World Court. In the 1930’s the branch began a children’s theater project, surveyed recreation facilities available to girls 13 to 25, and hosted local young women who were first-time voters. Some branch meetings were held in nearby Glidden Hall. In the 1950’s one branch survey led to the opening of the Minnehaha Mental Health Center, the first in the state, while a second survey prompted the beginning of the public junior high school system. With support from the branch, the first woman was elected to the Sioux Falls School Board. Over the years the branch has raised more than $200,000 for scholarships for women to attend the University of Sioux Falls and other colleges. Since its modest beginnings in 1881, AAUW has been a catalyst for change. It continues to contribute to a more promising future for women and girls and to promote a powerful voice on their behalf.

Erected 2006

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 12, 2016

2. AAUW Sioux Falls Branch Marker

Side B

by Sioux Falls Branch of the American Association of University Women Carol Martin Mashek the Minnehaha County Historical Society Sioux Falls Community Foundation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Women. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #30 Calvin Coolidge series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1923.

Location. 43° 31.978′ N, 96° 44.303′ W. Marker is in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in Minnehaha County. It is on West 22nd Street, on the left when traveling west. Marker is on the campus of the University of Sioux Falls, at the gate from 22nd Street, in front of the Norman B. Mears Library. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1101 West 22nd Street, Sioux Falls SD 57105, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East River.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 12, 2016

3. AAUW Sioux Falls Branch Marker

Marker can be seen at a distance; from the 22nd Street Gate

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Old Yankton Trail and Stage Road (within shouting distance of this marker); Lowell School (approx. 0.3 miles away); An Institution of Organized Kindness (approx. 0.3 miles away); Drs. Van Demark (approx. 0.3 miles away); Land Grant (approx. half a mile away); Mammoth: Denizen of the Ice (approx. half a mile away); Moses (approx. half a mile away); From Glory to Glory (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sioux Falls.

Additional keywords. American Association of University Women

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 12, 2016

4. AAUW Sioux Falls Branch Marker

The Great Seal of the Minnehaha County Historical Society

Credits. This page was last revised on September 9, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 624 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 8, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.