Society of Woman Geographers Society of Women Geographers

Description | Historical Background
Contents and Inventory

Description

Donor: Dr. Katheryne Whittemore Estate, via Dr. Theodore Kury, Chairman, Geography and Planning Department, Buffalo State College.
Date of Acquisition: 1987. Processed: 1987; reprocessed 2006.
Size of Collection: 1 box; .25 linear ft.

Historical Background

The Society of Women Geographers (SWG) Collection was donated to Buffalo State College by the estate of Dr. Katheryne T. Whittemore. Dr. Whittemore (1899-1981) was an instructor and administrator at the College for thirty-seven years, serving specifically as a professor of geography from 1925-1962 and having been appointed to the newly-created post of director of the Division of Arts and Sciences in 1957. She was an active member of the Society of Women Geographers as well as other influential organizations. The Society of Women Geographers began in 1925 as an organization that would bring together women of diverse intellectual backgrounds, enabling them to share knowledge gained from their experiences and fieldwork. As the SWG website says, "In naming [the] organization the Society of Woman Geographers, the founders took 'geographer' in its broadest sense to include such allied disciplines as anthropology, geology, biology, archaeology, oceanography, and ecology. Specialized aspects of the arts round[ed] out the broad spectrum of worldwide interests and professional activities of the Society's members." The Society of Women Geographers remains an active organization. More information on the Society can be found at http://www.iswg.org/index.htm.

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Contents and Inventory

The Society of Women Geographers Collection contains five issues of SWG-produced histories, programs and bulletins. The Vignettes includes biographical sketches of 26 early (pre-1940) members of the SWG; and the Bulletins contain historical information, contemporary activities and committees' reports as well as membership lists and information. All material dates from 1975-1980. Note: Mentions of Dr. Whittemore are highlighted in the inventory; and additional data, interviews and reminiscences of hers are available in the Archives' administrative and biographical files. Box 1:

1-1. Dole, Gertrude E. "Vignettes of Some Early Members of the Society of Women Geographers in New York." New York(?): New York Group, The Society of Women Geographers, 1978.
1-2. The Society of Woman Geographers. Program. 50th Anniversary Celebration and Triennial Conference. Washington, D.C., 1-4 May 1975. Includes program for Gold Medal Banquet, 3 May 1975.
1-3. The Society of Woman Geographers. Bulletin. 50th Anniversary Issue Part 1, Spring 1975. (Information for Dr. Katheryne Whittemore listed on p.24, under membership lists). (2 copies).
1-4. The Society of Woman Geographers. Bulletin. 50th Anniversary Issue Part 2, Fall 1975. (Information for Dr. Katheryne Whittemore listed on p.39, under "active members.")
1-5. The Society of Woman Geographers. Bulletin, 1979. (Information for Dr. Katheryne Whittemore listed on p.86, under "active members.")
1-6. The Society of Woman Geographers. Bulletin, 1980. (Information for Dr. Katheryne Whittemore listed on p.81, under "active members.")


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