Anne Scales Benedict Papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS.0039

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This 1.05 linear feet collection, 4 boxes, has two series: Series I contains materials related to the activities of the Vanderbilt Alumnae Council, especially their efforts to persuade the University to hire a Dean of Women, build a women’s dormitory, and to raise money toward these ends. Series II contains materials unrelated to Vanderbilt Alumnae Council and includes some personal correspondence, ephemeral items, a Bible, pamphlets, a postcard album with 155 cards plus 5 individual postcards, and a sketchbook.

Dates

1896 - 1951

Biography/History

Anne Scales Benedict was born Anne Hillman Scales, September 20 1883. Her father David C. Scales, and mother Grace C. Hillman Scales were involved in the Methodist church. Ms. Benedict attended Fogg High School where she excelled, graduating valedictorian in 1901. She then attended Vanderbilt University graduating with honors in 1905. During her tenure at Vanderbilt she was involved in Phi Beta Kappa, Delta Delta Delta, and was captain of the women’s basketball team. In April 1913, she married Andrew Bell Benedict. He served as a treasure of Vanderbilt University and President of Ward-Belmont School

After graduating Vanderbilt, Ms. Benedict went on to serve as alumni financial advisor for Delta Delta Delta. In 1922 she formed Vanderbilt Alumnae Council, which successfully secured funding to hire Vanderbilt’s first Dean of Women. Continuing her advocacy for women’s education, she served as president of the Southern Association of College Women forerunner of the American Association of University Women. Actively involved in West End United Methodist Church she headed the women’s division in fund raising campaigns. In 1964, Scales House, a residential hall at Vanderbilt University is named in honor of her contributions to support women’s education. In her later years, she turned her focus to founding a Nashville chapter of the United Nations. Ms. Benedict died November 5, 1958