Named for the slang term of the period for a personal assistant or female office worker, the Girl Friday Club was established in 1964 as a social club for the office workers and secretaries of Indiana University. Initially organized by Jack Ray (then Personnel Director for Indiana University) to foster friendships between the women and encourage interdepartmental cooperation, the club was ultimately run by a Steering Committee of women who organized a variety of events.
These events centered around monthly luncheons featuring a variety of entertainment. Guest speakers included football coach John Pont, professors from various subject areas, and influential women such as Mrs. Esther Bray who was an associate professor at IU as well as the wife of a US Representative. Other campus clubs and organizations sometimes provided entertainment, such as theater production previews and fashion shows. The group also organized the annual Girl Friday award.
The IU Archives holds a single scrapbook from the Girl Friday Club spanning 1964-1973, which offers some interesting insights into the office culture of the time. Interested in knowing more? Contact the University Archives!
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