National Conference of Deaconesses. Records

AO-00-R0300

The Archives of the Episcopal Church

Fonds

National Conference of Deaconesses. Records

• 1912-1982 (Creation)

2 cu.ft. (2 boxes)

Originating with the Central Committee of Deaconesses, which first met in 1916, the inaugural meeting of the National Conference of Deaconesses was held in October of 1919 in Detroit, Michigan. The conference met at the same time and location as the General Convention, during which the deaconesses lobbied for revisions to the Canons of the Church to establish clear requirements and responsibilities for their Order. Over time their lobbying expanded to include granting deaconesses the same rights and privileges as their male counterparts, including a canonical means to allow the ordination of women. The Conference became less active as women gained more equality in the Church, and had dissolved by the end of the 1970s.

The organizational records span from 1912,when the National Conference was still in development, to 1975 and include documents such as by-laws, annual reports, triennial reports, meeting minutes, Executive Committee meeting minutes, lists of deaconesses, and correspondence. Additionally, a small number of documents concern General Convention and the Lambeth Conference. Also present are program materials on conferences, retreats, and meetings held by the organization from 1916 to 1970 as well as miscellaneous publications and audio/visual materials, the bulk of which are printed materials and include prayer leaflets from the 1930s; newsletters, under numerous names, from 1927 through 1979; and scrapbooks from 1917 to 1935.

Administrative and Organizational Records, 1912-1982
Conferences, Retreats, and Meetings, 1916-1970
Reports and Minutes, 1916-1977
General Convention, 1920-1968
Publications and Audio/Visual Materials, 1917-1979

Access to Episcopal Church records is governed by the Archives Public Access Policy. Research requests must be submitted in writing.

The Archives is able to respond to limited requests for reproductions subject to copyright restrictions, internal policy, and the condition of the source documents.

• English

• Retiring Fund for Deaconesses. Records

• Deaconesses
• General Convention
• Lambeth Conference
• St. Margaret's House
• Women in ministry

• Bradley, Agnes (Subject)
• Fuller, Helen (Subject)