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Women Business Owners, Inc., of Atlanta records

 Collection
Identifier: W176

Scope and Contents of the Records

The Women Business Owners, Inc., of Atlanta Records are comprised of files, 1979-1992, which contain minutes, correspondence, printed materials, artifacts, and photographs concerning the operations and events of the Women Business Owners of Atlanta during this period.

Dates

  • Creation: 1979-1992

Creator

Restrictions on Access

Collection is open for research use.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Georgia State University is the owner of the physical collection and makes reproductions available for research, subject to the copyright law of the United States and item condition. Georgia State University may or may not own the rights to materials in the collection. It is the researcher's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and obtain permission from the copyright holder before publication, reproduction, or display of the materials beyond what is reasonable under copyright law. Researchers may quote selections from the collection under the fair use provision of copyright law.

History of Women Business Owners, Inc., of Atlanta

In 1979, Florence G. Bruns founded Women Business Owners of Atlanta, Inc. Originally, the organization was incorporated as Women Business Owners, Inc. (WBO), "a corporation organized exclusively for the acceptance, furtherance, recognition and promotion of women in business enterprise." Membership was open to women who owned at least 51% of a business. Thirty women joined the group, which had a membership of about 200 only a few years later. In addition to mentoring and networking, WBO offered speakers and programs to its members. Newsletters, a speaker's bureau, a showcase trade fair, and an annual directory also fostered connections. Florence Bruns also led the establishment of the Women's Commerce Club on Peachtree Street (later at the West Paces Racquet Club) in 1981, when Atlanta's other downtown business clubs had membership that was exclusively or predominantly male.

Early on, WBO created a scholarship fund and and later awards to recognize and support members. An annual gala and other events raised funds. WBO made the significant gift in 1986, supplemented by further member donations, to create the Atlanta Women's Fund at the Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta. The fund eventually grew into a separate entity, The Atlanta Women's Foundation.

Biography of Ann Stallard

Born in Kingsport, Tennessee (1947), Ann Stallard graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Fine Arts. Stallard then moved to Atlanta and opened an art studio, Clarkson and Stallard, with a college roommate. Stallard then joined Graphic Communication Corporation, a commercial printing company, and co-lead the company for almost 30 years before it sold (2014). Outside of her professional career, Stallard has been very involved in her community. Stallard has served as the national president of the YWCA (1991-1996), served on the global board of the world YWCA in Geneva, Switzerland (1996-2002), Co-founded the Women’s Leadership Council of United Way (2000), served as chairman of the board of trustees for United Way of America (2009-2011), served as a senior advisor of the Oxford Center for Entrepreneurs, and served on the Transition Leadership Team to transform United Way into United Way Worldwide (2008-2010). Stallard has also received many awards for her philanthropic and professional achievements, such as Women's Leadership Council's Philanthropist of the Year (2013), Kathleen Carlin Justice Seekers Award (2011), Linda Muir Business & Law Award (2011), Ascendency Award (2010), and the National Association of Women Business Owners' "Inspiration of the Year" Award (2003).

Extent

4.2 Linear Feet (6 containers)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Women Business Owners Inc., of Atlanta was an organization made up of women business owners. This organization is responsible for founding the Atlanta Womens Fund, now known as the Atlanta Women's Fund. The organization's records, 1979-1992, contain printed materials, photographs, artifacts, and records concerning this organization.

Arrangement

Files have been arranged alphabetically.

Acquisition Information

Donated by Ann Stallard, October 2016.

Separated Materials Note

During processing, Women Business Owners of Atlanta, Inc. newletters (41 issues, various titles, dated 1980-1990) and a copy of the Atlanta Women's News (1988) were separated to Women's Printed Collection: Periodicals.

Processing Information

Processed at the item level by Kaylee Faulkner, January 2020; revised by William W. Hardesty, Ocober 2021.

Title
Women Business Owners Inc., of Atlanta:
Subtitle
A Guide to The Records at Georgia State University Library
Status
Completed
Author
Kaylee Faulkner
Date
16 January 2020
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Repository

Contact:
100 Decatur St., S.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
404-413-2880
404-413-2881 (Fax)