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Inventory of the Margaret Taylor Smith Papers, 1918-2008 and undated, bulk 1980-2008

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Descriptive Summary

Repository
Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, Duke University
Creator
Smith, Margaret Taylor
Title
Margaret Taylor Smith Papers, 1918-2008 and undated, bulk 1980-2008
Language of Material
Material in English
Extent
19.75 Linear Feet

24,750 Items
Abstract
A native of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, Margaret Taylor Smith attended Duke University from 1943-1947. After graduating with a degree in sociology, Smith and her husband relocated to Birmingham, Michigan. Smith raised four children while taking an active part in her community through volunteer work and leadership. Smith's work as a research associate studying family life became the basis for a 1987 book, Mother, I Have Something to Tell You. Smith served as the chair of the Board of Trustees of the Kresge Foundation, a national organization that awards grants to support non-profit organizations. In addition, Smith continues her commitment to Duke University by holding leadership positions on multiple boards, by acting as a founding member and chair of the Council on Women's Studies, and by enabling the creation of the Sarah W. and George N. Taylor Endowment Fund for women's leadership and the Margaret Taylor Smith Endowed Directorship for Women's Studies.
The Margaret Taylor Smith Papers contain materials dating from 1918 to 2008, with the bulk dating between 1980 and 2008. The collection documents Smith's voluntarism, leadership, and philanthropic activities at Duke University, especially in women's studies; her sociological research on American families, specifically relationships between mothers and children, that resulted in the publication of a book, Mother I Have Something To Tell You; her social and family life; and her professional activities and voluntarism, particularly at the Kresge Foundation. The collection is organized into four series: Duke University, Mother, I Have Something To Tell You, Personal Papers, and Professional Voluntarism.
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Administrative Information

Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
However, collection may contain materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this form before using this collection.
Also, audio and video recordings in this collection are not immediately accessible, because they require further processing before use.
In addition, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.
Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library to use this collection.
Copyright Notice
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Margaret Taylor Smith Papers, Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, Duke University.
Provenance
The Margaret Taylor Smith Papers were received by the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library as a gift in 2008.
Processing Information
Processed by Lindsay Matson, April 2009
Encoded by Lindsay Matson, May 2009
Accession 2008-0237 is described in this finding aid.
Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and local Style Guide.
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.
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Biographical Note

A native of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, Margaret Taylor Smith attended Duke University from 1943-1947. After graduating with a degree in Sociology, Smith and her husband relocated to Birmingham, Michigan. Smith raised four children while taking an active part in her community through volunteer work and leadership. Smith was instrumental in founding the Legal Aid Society to provide legal assistance for low income citizens, and New Horizons, Inc. to provide service to individuals with disabilities. She held leadership roles in the Girl Scouts and the Junior League and participated in organizations designed to support children. Smith worked as a research associate at the Merrill-Palmer Institute of Wayne State University, studying family life and early childhood development. Her research became the basis for a 1987 book, Mother, I Have Something to Tell You. Smith served as the chair of the Board of Trustees of the Kresge Foundation, a national organization that awards grants to support non-profit organizations. In addition, Smith continues her commitment to Duke University by holding leadership positions on multiple boards, by acting as a founding member and chair of the Council on Women's Studies, and by enabling the creation of the Sarah W. and George N. Taylor Endowment Fund for women's leadership and the Margaret Taylor Smith Endowed Directorship for Women's Studies.

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Collection Overview

The Margaret Taylor Smith Papers contain materials dating from 1918 to 2008, with the bulk dating between 1980 and 2008. The collection documents Smith's voluntarism, leadership, and philanthropic activities at Duke University, especially in women's studies; her sociological research that resulted in the publication of a book; her social and family life; and her professional activities and voluntarism, particularly at the Kresge Foundation. Smith's original folder titles were retained. Smith, an avid note taker, often recorded information on the exterior of folders and manila envelopes. These folders were retained and appear in the collection. The collection is organized into four series: Duke University, Mother, I Have Something To Tell You, Personal Papers, and Professional Voluntarism.
The Duke University Series comprises materials related to Smith's leadership and professional voluntarism at the university, including correspondence, event planning notes, meeting minutes, endowment information, and speeches.
The Mother, I Have Something To Tell You Series documents the publication of the 1987 book, authored by Jo Brans, based on Smith's sociological research that describes how mothers deal with children who display untraditional behavior. Specifically, Smith researched American families whose children challenged social and sexual mores during the 1960s and 1970s. The series contains correspondence, drafts, speeches, and Smith's research related to the book, including the mothers' subject files, which typically contain written transcripts of Smith's interviews with the women, both with and without Smith's notes, questionnaires and sociological data, and audiocassette recordings of the interviews. Original audio recordings are closed to research. Use copies need to be created before contents can be accessed.
Materials related to Smith's social and family life are located in the Personal Papers Series, which primarily comprises correspondence with family, friends, and some professional associates, but also includes photographs, newspaper clippings, ephemera from Smith's days as an undergraduate at Duke University, and her father's World War I diary.
The Professional Voluntarism Series contains materials documenting Smith's professional activities, including awards, correspondence, speaking engagements, subject files, voluntarism, and philanthropy. The series particularly highlights Smith's work as the chair of the Board of Trustees of the Kresge Foundation, a national organization that awards grants to support non-profit organizations; her volunteer work with the Junior League; and her interest in ethics and ethical dilemmas.
Acquired as part of the Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture.
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Subject Headings

These are searchable subject entries for this collection. Performing a search on these subjects in the Duke University Libraries online catalog will bring up other related research materials.
List of Series in Collection
Duke University Series, 1970-2008 and undated
Mother, I Have Something to Tell You Series, 1981-2007 and undated
Personal Papers Series, 1918-2008 and undated
Professional Voluntarism, 1962-2007 and undated
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Detailed Description of Collection

Duke University Series, 1970-2008 and undated

(7 boxes)
As a highly involved Duke undergraduate, Smith served as president of Woman's College student government while excelling in scholarship (Phi Beta Kappa), athletics (Delta Phi Rho Alpha), and in leadership (Phi Kappa Delta, White Duchy, Pi Beta Phi). After earning a degree in Sociology in 1947, Smith continued her commitment to the university through leadership, volunteering, and philanthropy. Smith served on the Executive Committee for Duke's Capital Campaign Fund drive, on the Board of Directors of the General Alumni Association, as a member and chair of Trinity College's Board of Visitors, and on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of Duke's National Council. Particularly interested in women's issues, Smith was a founding member and chair of the Council on Women's Studies and served as president of the Women's Alumnae Association. Smith's generosity enabled the creation of the Sarah W. and George N. Taylor Endowment Fund for women's leadership and the Margaret Taylor Smith Endowed Directorship for Women's Studies. The series also documents the relationship between Smith and Jean O'Barr, who established the Women's Studies Program. Personal correspondence between the two women appears in the Personal Papers Series. The alphabetically arranged Duke University Series comprises materials related to Smith's leadership and professional voluntarism at the university, including correspondence, event planning notes, meeting minutes, endowment information, and speeches. Materials documenting Smith's experiences as an undergraduate at Duke and her social activities related to the university can be found in the Personal Papers Series.
Box 1
Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award, 1996 (2 folders)
Awards, Duke Heritage Society and Half Century Club, 1991; 1998
Board of Visitors capital campaign, 1990-2000 (4 folders)
Council on Women's Studies, 1989-1992 (2 folders)
Box 2
Dinner to honor Mary Grace Wilson, 1970
Elly Elliott honorary degree, 2002 May 10
Evaluation of women's studies program, 1990
Ford Foundation, 1987-1988
Ford Motor Company and Women's Studies correspondence/outcomes, 1990-1991 (4 folders)
Founder's Day, Duke University Chapel, 2001 October 4 (2 folders)
Fundraising chapter and manuscript of Jean O'Barr, 1992
Box 3
Giving to Duke, 1986-1987
Gratitude for leadership of Council on Women's Studies, 1991 April 15
Happer, Carolyn, Duke interview, 2003
Hillsdale College inauguration, 2000
Jenkins, Kimberly correspondence, 2002
Kellogg grant, 1993
Margaret Taylor Smith endowed directorship, 1996-1998 (5 folders)
Miscellaneous, 2000
Box 4
O'Barr honorary degree, Indiana University, 2002 May 4
Sarah W. and George N. Taylor Endowment Fund, 1991-1995
Trinity Board of Visitors, last meeting, 2000 April
Trinity Board of Visitors lists, 1988-1995
"What Makes Sense is That Things Don't Make Sense: Life's Continuing Dilemma," 1987 November 12
Woman's College at Duke celebration, 2002 November 8-10 (3 folders)
Women and Power, correspondence, 2001
Women Imagine Change, 2000 May 4-5
The Women's Center, 2004
The Women's Center, Donna Lisker, 2003
Box 5
Women's health care, 1993
Women's initiative correspondence, 2003
Women's Studies, 1986-2008 (folders 1-6 of 9)
Box 6
Women's Studies, 1986-2008 (folders 7-9 of 9)
Women's Studies, correspondence, brochures, and programs, 2001-2003 (2 folders)
Women's Studies Council leadership, 2002 (2 folders)
Box 7
Women's Studies external review, 1997
Women's Studies fundraising, 1990

Mother, I Have Something to Tell You Series, 1981-2007 and undated

(15 boxes)
In the early 1980s, Smith worked as a research associate at the Merrill-Palmer Institute of Wayne State University, studying family life and early childhood development. Smith collaborated with writer Jo Brans to publish the book Mother, I Have Something To Tell You in 1987. Based on interviews with mothers in Michigan, the book describes how parents deal with children who display untraditional behavior. Specifically, Smith researched families whose children challenged social and sexual mores during the 1960s and 1970s. The series contains correspondence, drafts, speeches, and Smith's sociological research related to the book, in addition to files on each mother, who appeared in the book under aliases provided by Brans. In keeping with the anonymity provided by the book, file names reflect aliases rather than real names. The mothers' subject files include written transcripts of Smith's interviews with the women, both with and without Smith's notes, questionnaires and sociological data, and audiocassette recordings of the interviews. Arrangement is alphabetical, followed by a large group of research files organized into rough book chapters by Smith.
Original audio recordings are closed to research. Use copies need to be created before contents can be accessed.
Box 7
Articles in support of project, 1983-1985
Author questionnaire, 1986
Biographical data, 1982-1983 (4 folders)
Book project notes, 1981-1982
Book proposal, 1984
Box 8
Book proposal and Jo Brans notes, undated
Book tour and Doubleday correspondence, 1987
Contract information, 1984-1987
Correspondence, 1981-1987; 2007 (3 folders)
Draft, Chapter 1, 1985 April 11
Ego level assignments, 1983
File from Jo Brans, 1984-1987 and undated
Focal child notes, undated
Box 9
Forms and summaries, 1981-1983
Initial correspondence with Jo Brans, 1984
Letters to mothers and article, 1985-1986
Margaret Taylor Smith story transcription, 1981
Master list, 1986-1987
My mothers, 1982 and undated
Packet for Jo, 1985
Project idea development, undated
Project origins, 1981 and undated (2 folders)
Publicity and correspondence, 1987-1997 (2 folders)
Questionnaire for mother, undated
Rough draft, process, and outline, 1983-1984
Box 10
Rough drafts, thesis, 1983-1984
Sentence completion tests, undated
Speaking engagements, 1987-1988
Speaking engagements, Good Day Show videocassette, Boston, 1987 February 2
[Original recordings are closed to research. Use copies need to be created before contents can be accessed.]
Speaking engagements, WBZ radio show audiocassette, Boston, 1987 January 20
[Original recordings are closed to research. Use copies need to be created before contents can be accessed.]
Subject 10, Rosemary, 1981-1982 (4 folders)
Subject 11, Janet, 1982 (folders 1-2 of 4)
Box 11
Subject 11, Janet, 1982 (folders 3-4 of 4)
Subject 12, Carolyn, 1982 (4 folders)
Subject 13, Betty, 1982 (4 folders)
Subject 14, Ruthanne, 1982 (4 folders)
Box 12
Subject 15, Carol, 1982 (4 folders)
Subject 16, Lois, 1982-1983 (4 folders)
Subject 17, Bonnie, 1982 (4 folders)
Subject 18, Dorothy, 1982-1983 (folders 1-2 of 4)
Box 13
Subject 18, Dorothy, 1982-1983 (folders 3-4 of 4)
Subject 19, Jean, 1982 (4 folders)
Subject 20, Kate, 1982-1983 (4 folders)
Subject 21, Myra, 1982-1983; 1992 (folders 1-2 of 4)
Box 14
Subject 21, Myra, 1982-1983; 1992 (folders 3-4 of 4)
Subject 22, Rebecca, 1983 (4 folders)
Subject 23, Suzanne, 1982 (4 folders)
Subject 24, Patricia, 1982 (4 folders)
Box 15
Subject 25, Judy, 1982 (4 folders)
Subject 26, Marilyn, 1982 (3 folders)
Subject 27, Margot, 1982-1983 (4 folders)
Subject 28, Susan, 1982 (4 folders)
Box 16
Subject 29, Patty, 1982-1983 (4 folders)
Subject 30, Marian, 1982 (4 folders)
Subject 31, Margaret, 1983 (4 folders)
Subject 32, Ann, 1982-1983 (folders 1-3 of 4)
Box 17
Subject 32, Ann, 1982-1983 (folder 4 of 4)
Subject 33, Sharon, 1982 (4 folders)
Subject 34, Ellen, 1983 (4 folders)
Subject 35, Lucy, 1982-1983 (4 folders)
Box 18
Subject 36, Karen, 1982-1983 (4 folders)
Subject 37, Marie, 1982-1983 (4 folders)
Subject 38, Martha, 1983 (4 folders)
Subject 39, Elizabeth, 1983 (folders 1-3 of 4)
Box 19
Subject 39, Elizabeth, 1983 (folder 4 of 4)
Subject 41, Gloria, 1983 (4 folders)
Subject 42, Joy, 1983 (4 folders)
Talk, with various dilemmas and several conclusions, undated
Thoughts on readings, 1985
Worksheets used for editing, undated
Box 20-21
Other materials

Personal Papers Series, 1918-2008 and undated

(7 boxes)
Contains materials documenting Smith's social and family life, primarily through correspondence with family, friends, and some professional associates, but also through photographs, newspaper clippings, ephemera from Smith's days as an undergraduate at Duke University, and her father's World War I diary. Materials related to Smith's volunteer and philanthropic activities at Duke University are located in the Duke University Series. The Personal Papers Series is arranged alphabetically by folder title.
Box 22
50th class reunion (Duke), 1997 Sept. (2 folders)
60th high school reunion, Roanoke Rapids, 2003 Oct.
Clippings and notices, 1942-1946
Correspondence, 1994-2000 July (7 folders)
The correspondence folder for 1994-1998 contains an image of Jean O'Barr with Hilary Clinton.

Box 23
Correspondence, 2000 July-2002 Dec. (7 folders)
Box 24
Correspondence, 2003 Jan.-2004 Sept. (7 folders)
Box 25
Correspondence, 2004 Sept.-2006 July (7 folders)
Box 26
Correspondence, 2006 Aug.-2008 January (3 folders)
Clippings from Mary Lou Connolly's scrapbook, 1956-1966 and undated
Cramer, Laura house party, Hilton Head Island, 2004 Oct.
Cuba, Duke alumni trip, 2003 February
Duke clippings, 1940s
Duke correspondence, 1943-1947
Duke memories, 1940s (folders 1-2 of 4)
Box 27
Duke memories, 1940s (folders 3-4 of 4)
Engagement and wedding, 1947
Journal, 1994 Apr.-Aug.
"Memories...Conversations with Sarah Waller Taylor and Bertie Waller Brown," 1981 Oct.
Mother, 1984-1985
My friends, oral conversations, 50th reunion, 1992; 1997
Photographs
Christening, 2003
Digital prints, 2003
Duke photographs, 1940s; 1960s
Miscellaneous, undated
Montreat, North Carolina and T. J.'s, 2003 May
My desk, undated
Pictures from refrigerator door, 2002-2003
San Miguel, Roanoke Rapids, and Cape Hatteras, 2003
Sicily, 2001 Oct.-Nov.
Box 28
Picnic, Orchard Lake Country Club, 1984 June 3 (2 folders)
Sid's 50th, 1999
Taylor genealogy, undated
Taylor, Sergeant George N. diary, 1918 May-1919 Mar.

Professional Voluntarism, 1962-2007 and undated

(5 boxes)
Series houses materials documenting Smith's professional activities, including awards, correspondence, speaking engagements, subject files, voluntarism, and philanthropy. The items give particular emphasis to Smith's work as the chair of the Board of Trustees of the Kresge Foundation, a national organization that awards grants to support non-profit organizations; her volunteer work with the Junior League; and her interest in ethics and ethical dilemmas. Arranged alphabetically by folder title.
[Original recordings are closed to research. Use copies need to be created before contents can be accessed.]
Box 28
Athena Award, 1998 Mar. (2 folders)
Includes videocassette of award dinner. Original recordings are closed to research. Use copies need to be created before contents can be accessed.
Awards and memorial garden correspondence, 1996, 1999, 2007
Correspondence and other writings, 1994-2008 (2 folders)
Council of Michigan Foundations, 1992-1997
Box 29
Detroit Medical Center corporate responsibility, 1997-1999
Detroit Medical Center, Hutzel Hospital, 1984-1997
Dilemmas, 1986-1988 and undated
The Economic Impact of Women in Philanthropy, 1994 Oct. 20 (3 folders)
Ethics and dilemmas, 1987-1988 and undated
Gender equity reports, 1988-1994 (folders 1-3 of 4)
Box 30
Gender equity reports, 1988-1994 (folder 4 of 4)
Health care talk, 1993 Feb. 12
Heart of Gold Award, 1985-1987 (2 folders)
Human development, 1986-1987 and undated
Human risk and solitude, 1987 and undated
Junior League Community Advisory Committee, 1998-2000 (2 folders)
Junior League, 1987-1989 and undated
Junior League presidency, 1962-1964
Kresge Foundation
Agendas and correspondence, 1993-1994
Annual reports, 1994-1998 (2 folders)
Box 31
Kresge Foundation
Correspondence and remarks, 1990-1995; 2005
Council of Michigan Foundations, 1993-1997
Crain's Detroit Business, Detroit's Most Influential Women, 1997-1998
New Direction, undated
Retirement, 1997 June
Trustee-emeriti dinner, 1996 May 16
Merrill-Palmer, 1974-1978; 1987
Merrill-Palmer directories, 1978; 1980
Panel - Class, gender, and race in the non-profit sector, 1996 Jan. 16
Parenting and child care, 1986-1988 and undated
Philanthropy, 1998
Quotes, 1986-1987 and undated
Remarks about the Kresge Foundation, P.E.O. meeting, 1997 Apr. 7
Speaking engagements, 1986-1988
Box 32
Speeches and remarks, 1987-1988 and undated
Talks and information - Legal and ethical responsibilities of trustees and others, 1995-1996
Volunteering, Junior League, 1971 and undated
Volunteerism, 1986-1990 (2 folders)
Volunteerism and philanthropy, 1995-1996
Wayne State University School of Medicine commencement luncheon, Distinguished Service Award, 1999 June 8
Women of Achievement and Courage Award, 1999 (2 folders)
Women and philanthropy, 1989-1996 (2 folders)
Women working and volunteering, 1980-1983
Women's Educational Equity Act study on gifted women, 1992
Women's special connection and communication, 1987 and undated