Records of the CSU Women's Association

Formed in 1910 as the Colorado Agricultural College Woman's Association, the Colorado State University Women's Association is an educational, service, and social organization. Initially created to provide social interaction among wives of faculty members, the organization now is open to anyone with an interest in Colorado State University, and its primary focus is supporting the CSUWA's scholarship program.

Little is known about the first decade of the Colorado State University Women's Association. It came together in 1910 as a social group for faculty member's wives. Elizabeth Coy Lawrence, the first woman to graduate from Colorado Agricultural College, served as the organization's first president from 1912 to 1913. Carrie Lory, wife of CAC President Charles A. Lory, served as the association's second president from 1913 to 1914, and she provided the impetus to formalize the organization. The Women's Association wrote bylaws in 1922, and under Carrie Lory's direction they voted to establish a Girls' Loan Fund in May 1925. A Boys' Loan Fund was later established, and in 1935, the two were integrated into the Women's Association Loan Fund. Lory chaired the fund for more than 20 years, and in 1941, it was renamed the Carrie R. Lory Loan Fund. In 1942, the Women's Association turned over administrative loan tasks to the Colorado State College Business Office, and eventually CSUWA loan and scholarship funds were administered by the CSU Foundation.

The Colorado State University Women's Association has selected scholarship recipients from associated named funds since 1924. In 1978, it gave the first CSUWA $250 scholarship, and scholarships rather than loans soon became the focus of the association. The CSUWA now awards more than 20 scholarships every year, and the organization has given more than $500,000 in scholarships to date. Fundraising efforts over the years have included bridge parties and sales of apples, candy, cookbooks, and greeting cards.

The CSUWA has also contributed support to many other Colorado State University projects and funds. Historically, CSU Libraries received much of that support. In 1957, the association temporarily halted contributions to the Carrie R. Lory Loan Fund to support "Bucks for Books," and annual contributions to library funds such as the Lilla B. Morgan Library Fund continued through the second half of the twentieth century. The CSUWA is probably best known for its annual blood drive, which began in 1971 with the establishment of a campus blood bank. The CSUWA currently raises funds for the CSU Foundation.

Since its inception as a social club for faculty wives, social events and service groups have been an important part of the Colorado State University Women's Association. An official Program Committee was added in 1933. Interest groups were formed in 1966, and as the university grew and membership criteria were expanded over the years, CSUWA members have joined more than 50 groups with focuses such as Western American literature, creative cards, gardening, gourmet cooking, quilting, skiing, bird watching, and travel.