This series consists chiefly of minutes of the meetings of the ESFWC executive board (1939-1944, 1946-1964, 1968, 1970-1971, 1973-1976, 1979, 1982-1983, 1985-1986, 1988-1989) and annual convention (1939-1944, 1946-1964, 1970-1971, 1973-1976, 1980, 1982, 1983-1990). Between 1939-1944 and 1946-1964, the minutes were recorded in bound ledgers. From 1968 onward, they consist of loose manuscript or typescript materials. Information concerning the financial affairs of the organization is scattered throughout. From 1968 onward, routine correspondence that was discussed at meetings is also included; these materials, which were generated by the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs and other organizations, were inserted into the minutes by ESFWC officers and have thus been kept in place. The minutes detail the ESFWC's position on a broad array of social issues, including lynching (1943, 1947), discrimination in the armed forces, defense industries, and federal housing programs (1942-43, 1946), and the punitive attitude of some local officials who disbursed Aid to Families with Dependent Children benefits (1961). The minutes also document the EFSWC's support for the civil rights struggle that took place in the South during the 1950's and 1960's and its apparent dislike of the black-power movement (1973). In addition, the minutes chronicle the organization's interest in the Equal Rights Amendment (1944; 1970's), the work of Planned Parenthood (1947, 1950), the issue of abortion (1970; see also ESFWC Annual Convention Materials, 1975), and its decision to allow white women to become members (1963). Other topics discussed include education (1964, 1973; see also ESFWC Annual Convention Materials, 1975), peace (1930's, 1962), and the work of the United Nations (1950's).
This series consists of convention programs and souvenir journals (1944, 1955-1956, 1958, 1961, 1965-1966, 1968-1969, 1974, 1977-1978, 1984, 1986-1988, 1990-1991), fliers encouraging clubwomen to attend conventions, drafts of resolutions to be forwarded at conventions, and ephemera. Some of the programs detail meeting agendas and the results of officer elections; most of the souvenir journals consist largely of advertisements taken out by the group's members and supporters. The resolutions, which often concern broad public-policy initiatives, are of particular interest (1975).
Most of the materials in this series, which includes letters received by and copies of correspondence written by the president, concern routine organizational business. However, some of the letters shed light on the friendships that helped to sustain club women and the pleasures and frustrations of serving as an ESFWC officer.
This series consists of records created or maintained by the ESFWC financial secretary. Materials include annual convention forms (1960, 1962, 1964), annual convention registration lists (c.1964-1967) and an executive board meeting registration list (1966) showing fees paid, correspondence (1961, 1962-1967, 1969), and financial records pertaining to the Empire State Association of Girls (1962, 1964-1966). Ledgers (1948-1967) and financial reports (1965-1966, 1969-1972, 1978-1981) detailing receipts and disbursements and forms documenting constituent club members' payment of dues to the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs or, in a few instances, Northeast Federation of Women's Clubs (1961-1971) dominate the series. Other records include financial reports concerning the ESFWC's annual Miss Empire State Contest (1962, 1969) and member contributions to Negro Braille magazine (c. 1969) and to the Victoria Earle Matthews Scholarship Fund for African-American girls (c. 1969, 1972).