Ossoli Circle Records
This collection contains histories, reports, meeting minutes, and ephemera of the Ossoli Circle, a women’s club located in Knoxville, Tennessee, from 1903 to the present.
Dates
- 1903-2024
Conditions Governing Access
Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Conditions Governing Use
The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Extent
1.75 Linear Feet (3 boxes [1 record box, 1 half box, 1 flat box])
Abstract
This collection contains histories, reports, meeting minutes, and ephemera of the Ossoli Circle, a women’s club located in Knoxville, Tennessee, from 1903 to the present.
Biographical/Historical Note
The Ossoli Circle was founded in 1885 as a literary women’s club in Knoxville, Tennessee. It is considered the first federated women’s club in the South, and it has played an important role in championing economic and educational opportunities for women in the state. The organization was founded by Lizzie Crozier French (1851-1926), one of the biggest supporters of voting rights for women in Tennessee. The club’s first official meeting was held on November 20, 1885, with only 12 women attending. They decided to name the club after Margaret Fuller Ossoli (1810-1850), a famous feminist and journalist. Some of the club's early members included Mary Boyce Temple (1856-1929), Angie Warren Perkins (1858-1921), Faith Floyd McAdoo (1832-1913), and Annie Booth McKinney (1855-1926). In the 1890s, the group moved to focusing on women’s educational opportunities. The efforts of the Ossoli Circle helped bring about the admittance of women at the University of Tennessee as well as the creation of a state vocational school for girls. The Ossoli Circle remains active in the Knoxville community.
Previous Citation
Material in this collection was previously listed under MS.0091, MS.0854, MS.2517, MS.2522, MS.2983, MS.3039, and MS.3208. All parts of the previous collections have been listed in this collection.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository