Call Number:

12H.A84-13

Repository:

Bryn Mawr College

Extent:

2 boxes

Language:

English

Date:

1927-1971 (bulk)

Abstract:

Ellenor Morris graduated from Bryn Mawr with the class of 1927, and was highly involved with the College after graduation. Her collection, which ranges from approximately 1927-1971, contains publications and questionnaires from the Alumnae Association, correspondence, and materials related to the Civil Defense Volunteer Organization.

Ellenor Morris graduated from Bryn Mawr with the class of 1927. While at Bryn Mawr, she was the editor of The College News and the 1927 Classbook. Post-graduation, she remained very involved with the College, serving as the Executive Secretary of College Alumnae Fund, and on the May Day Committee, the 50th Anniversary Committee, Resources Committee, and the Chairman Central Committee on Bequests. She also served as the first Vice President of the Alumnae Association.

In addition to these activities, she was also a member of the Civilian Defense Volunteer Office in Philadelphia during World War II. This office was the "official arm of the Philadelphia Council of Defense." She would go on to receive an award for Distinguished Civilian Service from the Philadelphia Council of Defense. The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) was established in 1941 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to massive nature of warfare during WWII and concerns over civilian preparedness in the United States. Several regional offices and thousands of local offices existed. These organizations ran scrap drives, distributed pamphlets, and managed other war effort activities.

The Ellenor Morris papers houses the materials of Ellenor Morris, class of 1927. The collection, which ranges from approximately 1927-1971, contains publications and questionnaires from the Alumnae Association, correspondence, and materials related to the Civil Defense Volunteer Organization.

The collection consists of two boxes. Box 1 contains materials to Bryn Mawr College. Box 2 contains materials that are not related to Bryn Mawr.

Box 1 contains college publications and clippings; an alumnae questionnaire concerning the successor to President Park; Deanery Committee materials; Social Work Department Advisory Board materials; Clarissa Pell Memorial Fund materials; Morris Family materials; and Ellenor Morris' personal and miscellaneous materials. Box 2 contains correspondence and materials relating to Civilian Defense Volunteer Organization (WWII); two scrapbooks (one made by Morris' friends which contains animal pictures with humorous captions, and a second relating to the CVDO and State Defense); and Morris' Bryn Mawr diploma. Finally, there is one photograph of Mary Macbod (?), a member of WASP, the Women's Airforce Service Pilots.

Morris was highly involved with the College after graduation, and also an active member of the Civilian Defense Volunteer Office. The collection provides insight into Bryn Mawr during the late 1920s, alumnae reactions, and the Philadelphia war effort during WWII.