7.5 cu. ft. (13 document boxes) (2 oversize folders)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Manuscripts
Clippings
Black-and-white photographs
Date:
1981-1994
Introduction:
These records of the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (SEEC), 1984-1994, Record Unit 7443, were created in its establishment and operation from 1984 to 1994. They
were transferred to the Smithsonian Archives by Kathleen T. Baxter, Co-Chair of the Smithsonian Institution Women's Council Child Care Committee, Secretary of the Smithsonian
Child Care Advisory Board, and President of the SEEC Board of Directors; Gretchen Gayle Ellsworth, President of the Child Care Advisory Board; Katherine Sprague (TKAC), Co-Chair
of the Smithsonian Institution Women's Council Child Care Committee, Treasurer of the Child Care Advisory Board, and member of the Infant Care Task Force; and Sharon Shaffer,
Director of SEEC.
Descriptive Entry:
The Records of the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (SEEC), Record Unit 7443, are mainly from 1987-1992, with some material from 1981-1982, 1984-1986, and 1993-1994.
These records are of three women who were instrumental in the establishment of child care at the Smithsonian and of the SEEC Director's first few years. These records consist
of meeting minutes, agenda, and correspondence of the Smithsonian Institution Women's Council (SIWC) Child Care Committee, the Child Care Advisory Board (CCAB), the Smithsonian
Child Care Center Board of Directors, the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center Board of Directors, the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center Parents Association, and the Infant
Task Force; proposals, architectural drawings, and correspondence dealing with the selection and preparation of sites for the National Museum of American History (NMAH) branch
and the Arts & Industries Infant Care Center; personnel and financial records; records of the IBM/SEEC curriculum project; and photographs of events at the NMAH center.
For related records, consult Record Unit 310, Records of the Smithsonian Institution Women's Council, 1972-1983, and Record Unit 507, Records of the Smithsonian Institution
Women's Council, 1973-1992.
Historical Note:
When the Smithsonian Institution Women's Council (SIWC) was formed in 1972, it immediately adopted as a primary goal the establishment of a child care center at the
Institution. This council of Smithsonian employees, established for the purpose of conveying to the Smithsonian administration the concerns and needs of all employees but
especially women, continued to work on that goal for the next fifteen years. The SIWC intensified their efforts in 1986: conducted surveys to determine the need for and support
of an on-site child care center, conducted feasibility studies for the various sites proposed, and obtained the professional advice of child care consultants. In January of
1987, as a result of these efforts, John Jameson, Assistant Secretary for Administration, appointed a Smithsonian Child Care Advisory Board (CCAB). The mission of the CCAB
was to investigate and report to SI management the prospective budget, policy, operations, facilities, and curriculum of a child care center at the Smithsonian. The Board
originally formed three subcommittees: policy, budget, and facilities. Each subcommittee undertook an in-depth analysis of their area of responsibility and formulated a comprehensive
overview of the necessary steps toward implementation. When the Advisory Board presented its business plan to the SI Management Committee in May of 1987, the Committee gave
its approval to proceed in setting up a center.
Although the Smithsonian generously offered to provide start-up funds and continual rent-free space and utilities, as well as other "in-kind" services, the Board and the
Smithsonian agreed that the child care center would be independently incorporated. From the beginning, the CCAB anticipated that more than one center would ultimately be formed:
the first child care center would hold fifty toddlers from ages two to five, and subsequent centers would be formed as need required and means allowed. In November of 1987,
the CCAB was ready to incorporate formally as the Board of Directors for the Smithsonian Child Care Center, and to look forward to the opening of the first center in the National
Museum of American History, which opened on October 3, 1988. As was stipulated in the Board By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation, the founding Board of Directors was replaced
shortly thereafter by an elected, parent-majority board, and a Parents Association was established as a means of providing parent input and support for the Center and its
Board. On January 1, 1989, the newly formed Board changed the name of the child care center to the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center, to more accurately reflect the unique
character of the Center and its museum-based curriculum.
The Board officers at the time of incorporation were: Gretchen Gayle Ellsworth, President; Betty B. Derbyshire, Vice-President; Kathleen T. Baxter, Secretary; Katherine
Sprague, Treasurer; Lauryn G. Grant, Counsel. The Board officers during the first year of operation (Fall 1988-Fall 1989) were: Kathleen T. Baxter, President; John Daniel
Reaves, Vice-President and Counsel; Frances T. Jones, Secretary; Diane Homiak, Treasurer.
Since 1989, the Board of Directors has devoted itself to oversight of the operations of the center, to further development of curriculum, and to expansion into other buildings.
The Board began a project in 1989 with IBM to translate, produce, and market the "Museum Magic" curriculum for computer, which was never completed. The Board has also investigated
publishing the curriculum. In January 1991, the Infant Care Center opened in the Arts & Industries Building. This branch of SEEC served 25 children from three months to
two years old. The planning was undertaken by an Infant Task Force, made up of members of the Board of Directors. The two branches of SEEC are governed centrally, under the
same Director, Board of Directors, and Parents Association.
Restrictions:
Box 13 contains materials restricted indefinitely; see finding aid; Contact reference staff for details.
These records are from the office of Katherine Sprague (TKAC), who was the Co-Chair of the Smithsonian Institution Women's Council Child Care Committee, 1985-1987,
the Treasurer of the Child Care Advisory Board, 1987-1988, and a member of the Infant Task Force, 1988-1990. These records are almost all about the site search, design, and
construction of the two centers, but they also include minutes of meetings and correspondence.
Collection Restrictions:
Box 13 contains materials restricted indefinitely; see finding aid; Contact reference staff for details.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 7443, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center, Records
These records are from the office of Kathleen Baxter, who was Co-Chair of the Smithsonian Institution Women's Council Child Care Committee, 1985-1987, Secretary
of the Child Care Advisory Board, 1987-1988, and President of the SEEC Board of Directors, 1988-1990. This series was arranged and described by Kathleen Baxter in 1991.
Collection Restrictions:
Box 13 contains materials restricted indefinitely; see finding aid; Contact reference staff for details.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 7443, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center, Records
Early Efforts, 1984-1987: These are brief records directly preceding the formation of the Smithsonian Child Care Advisory Board. Includes a chronology, up to 1986, of efforts by the Smithsonian Institution Women's Council (SIWC) to establish a child care center, beginning with the establishment of the SIWC in 1972.
Collection Restrictions:
Box 13 contains materials restricted indefinitely; see finding aid; Contact reference staff for details.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 7443, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center, Records
SIWC four star: newsletter for the Smithsonian Institution Women's Council
Creator::
Smithsonian Institution Women's Council Search this
Extent:
5.5 cu. ft. (11 document boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Architectural drawings
Black-and-white photographs
Serials (publications)
Clippings
Newsletters
Manuscripts
Date:
1972-1983
Descriptive Entry:
The records of the Council consist of correspondence; memoranda; newsletters of the Council and related women's groups; Council's Constitution with amendments and Charter;
newsclippings; meeting agendas; photographs of Council members, Smithsonian officials, and special events; an architectural drawing and plans of a proposed site for a child
care facility; and copies of publications related to the Council's activities. Included are files documenting the election of Council members; minutes, correspondence, and
financial records from Council meetings; surveys, evaluations, and reviews of statistical data on women and minorities in the Smithsonian workforce; a 1983 report to the Smithsonian's
Executive Committee discussing the Council's history, achievements, and areas of involvement; files of various commmittees including the Four Star newsletter, career
development, child care plans for Smithsonian employees, training, and upward mobility; files on a proposed Smithsonian women's exhibit; and records of the SI Minority Women's
Council, a group formed prior to the official establishment of the SIWC. Working copies of the Four Star are restricted.
Historical Note:
The Smithsonian Institution Women's Council (SIWC) was formally established by the Secretary of the Smithsonian on April 19, 1972. The Council was originally organized
as an informal group of women employees to discuss promoting the status of women within the Institution's hierarchy. The Council's goals are dedicated to the achievement of
women employees, especially in their gaining access to jobs previously closed to them because of their sex. In addition, it lends cooperative strength to individuals and groups
seeking to promote the good of all Smithsonian employees. The SIWC's membership operates as a voluntary support group, representing the concerns of employees to the Smithsonian
administration. The Council reports directly to the Assistant Secretary for Administration, and its fiscal authority lies with the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity.
From 1973 to 1979, Council members were elected annually by Smithsonian employees; thereafter, elections were held biannually. The Council consists of the twenty members who
receive the highest number of votes in the election; the remaining nominees serve as alternates. The Council convenes once a month to conduct its business meetings. During
these meetings, projects and proposals are discussed, direction of Council activities is examined, and formal action is taken on various issues. The Executive Committee of
the Council consists of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, and Historian. It meets weekly to establish administrative priorities and the agenda for the
next SIWC meeting, provide an update on current projects, and discuss sensitive issues. The stated goals and objectives of the SIWC are achieved through providing training
opportunities, employee benefit programs, lectures, and the publication of its newsletter, Four Star. The Four Star was first issued as a bimonthly from June
1980 to April 1983, and with the June/August 1983 issue, it became a quarterly publication. Chairpersons of the Smithsonian Institution Women's Council have included Edna
Owens, 1972; Gretchen Gayle, 1973; Edith Mayo, 1974; Mary C. Quinn, 1975; Diane G. Walker, 1976; Penelope A. Packard, 1977; Rosemary M. DeRosa, 1978; Charlene James, 1979;
Audrey B. Davis, 1980; Margaret Santiago, 1981; Elizabeth Beuck, 1982; and Susan Kalcik, 1983- .
Restrictions:
Boxes 10 and 11 contain materials restricted indefinitely; see finding aid. Contact reference staff for details.
Smithsonian Institution Women's Council Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Note:
Includes self-nominating petitions; ballots; candidates' platform statements and, in some cases, tallies of votes; and procedures for nominating and voting. Also
included is the Charter for the SIWC, April 1972, signed by Secretary Ripley.
Collection Restrictions:
Boxes 10 and 11 contain materials restricted indefinitely; see finding aid. Contact reference staff for details.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 310, Smithsonian Institution Women's Council, Records
Smithsonian Institution Women's Council Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Note:
Includes notices of meetings, agendas, minutes, correspondence, memoranda, financial records, and general reference to Council activities, which are elaborated on
in specific Committee folders in Series 3 below.
Collection Restrictions:
Boxes 10 and 11 contain materials restricted indefinitely; see finding aid. Contact reference staff for details.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 310, Smithsonian Institution Women's Council, Records
