MSSU Archives & Special Collections Exhibits: - Politics, Scholarships and Meeting Minutes, 1988-2005

Digital exhibits created by the MSSU Archives and Special Collections department.

Joplin Business and Professional Women's Club Politics, Scholarships and Meeting Minutes, 1988-2005

Curated by John Rauch, 2021-07.

For this portion of the Joplin Business and Professional Women’s collection there is a wide array of documents and records. While most of this portion of the collection includes meeting minutes between 1988 and 2005, documents can range anywhere from flyers for fundraisers, the group’s main political goals, and financial records. We have a very large collection of these documents and records and they are an extremely extensive and interesting look at what the Joplin Business and Professional Women were all about.


The Joplin Business and Professional Women were actively involved in politics and making a change in their communities. Members had a say as to what was most important from them and were heavily encouraged to vote and try to make a difference, even back in 1988.

Survey of important goals to members.

1988 election flyer encouraging members to vote, including members personal notes and messages.


The Joplin Business and Professional Women kept detailed meeting minutes from every meeting. Most of these were well organized in the same manner and included details such as where the meeting was taking place, when the meeting was taking place, unfinished business, and new business. They would announce information about fundraisers, future meetings, membership dues and many other tasks to be attended to.

Meeting minutes, May 7th, 1992.

Meeting minutes, May 7th, 1992.

Meeting minutes, July 19th, 1999.

Meeting minutes, March 19th, 2001.

Meeting minutes, March 19th, 2001.


The Joplin Business and Professional Women also kept extensive financial records. They recorded their budgets, incomes, expenses, and what everything was being spent on. Most income was from fundraisers and membership dues, and most things that were being spent on were for fundraisers and scholarships for women in the community.

Financial records breakdown, July 31st, 1988.

Financial records breakdown, July 31st, 1988.

Financial records breakdown, July 31st, 1988.


The Business and Professional Women were also involved in bettering women, in their community no matter their skin color. Even back in 1988 the Joplin Business and Professional Women gave out a scholarship for tuition and or books for black women over the age of 25. The Joplin chapter was sent this flyer in 1988.

1988 newsletter and scholarship flyer for black women.

1988 newsletter and scholarship flyer for black women.

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