Processed by
Wilma L. Gibbs
26 September 2001
Revised 27 November 2001
Updated 18 March 2004
Manuscript and Visual Collections Department
William Henry Smith Memorial Library
Indiana Historical Society
450 West Ohio Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202-3269
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VOLUME OF |
One manuscript box
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COLLECTION |
1944–1989 |
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PROVENANCE: |
Alfreida Garner, 6245 Riverview Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46260, October 1999 |
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RESTRICTIONS: |
None |
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COPYRIGHT: |
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REPRODUCTION |
Permission to reproduce or publish material in this collection must be obtained from the Indiana Historical Society. |
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ALTERNATE |
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RELATED |
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ACCESSION |
2000.0053 |
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NOTES: |
The Me-De-Phar Guild, an African-American woman's club, was organized in 1944. Membership included the wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters of physicians, dentists, and pharmacists. In 1984, the guild’s bylaws were revised to state that membership “shall include spouses of practicing, retired, and deceased physicians, including interns and residents, dentists, and pharmacists of the Indianapolis community.” The medical (Me), dental (De), and pharmaceutical (Phar) auxiliary was created to promote good health facilities, to establish better relations between the community and the health professionals in Indianapolis, and to give financial aid to young women interested in some branch of the allied health fields.
Mrs. Francis D. Hummons submitted the name for the club. Mary H. Alexander was the first president of the organization. Past presidents have included Mrs. Bertha Brown, Mrs. Frank E. Chowning, Mrs. Spurling Clark, Mrs. Roy D. Clinthorne, Mrs. Chester Cox, Mrs. F. H. Evans, Mrs. Robert Lawson, Mrs. Walter Maddux, Mrs. S. D. Meriwether, Mrs. O. B. Paige, Mrs. Raymond Pierce, Mrs. Mary Ward Roberts, and Mrs. E. P. Thomas
In 1974 the guild celebrated its 30th anniversary with a luncheon fashion show at Stouffer’s Inn. It featured fashions by Alpha Blackburn, fashion designer and local television personality. Other annual fashion shows have been held at the Walker Casino, Beef n’ Boards, and St. Peter Claver Center. Proceeds from events have been used to give money and equipment to General Hospital (now Wishard Hospital), public school clinics, and the Alpha Home for the Aged.
The organization continues to operate. As of October 2001, Cynthia Dezadier is the president.
Sources: Materials in the
collection.
Telephone interview with Alfreida Garner, donor of collection, 26 September
2001.
The collection, contained in one flat manuscript box, includes programs, directories, a sign with the guild's logo, and a scrapbook. The programs, contained in folder 1, pertain to the fiftieth anniversary of the club in 1994 and its annual fashion shows from 1987 to 1990. Folder 2 contains directories of the club's membership (1979–1985, n.d.). A copy of the guild's logo is in folder 3. Much of the scrapbook (folder 4) was compiled by Edith Chowning from 1973–1975, and contains materials pertaining to the Me-De-Phar Guild. The scrapbook 's contents date from 1944 to 1989. It includes a history, constitution and bylaws, correspondence, programs, reports, photographs, awards, and publicity materials (flyers, invitations, and newsclippings).
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CONTENTS |
CONTAINER |
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Guild programs, 1987-1994 |
Box 1, Folder 1 |
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Guild directories, 1979-1985 |
Box 1, Folder 2 |
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Me-De-Phar Guild logo |
Box 1, Folder 3 |
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Me-De-Phar Guild scrapbook, 1944–1989 |
Box 1, Folder 4 |
For additional information on this collection, including a list of subject headings that may lead you to related materials:
1. Go to the Indiana Historical Society's online catalog: http://157.91.92.2/
2. Click on the "Basic Search" icon.
3. Select "Call Number" from the "Search In:" box.
4. Search for the collection by its basic call number (in this case, M 0761).
5. When you find the collection, go to the "Full Record" screen for a list of headings that can be searched for related materials.