Peabody Aid Society Records

The organization was founded in 1913 as the Peabody Woman's Club, an affiliate of the Federated Women's Clubs of America. In March 1931 Mrs. Henry Hibbs moved the club changed the name to the Peabody Aid Society. There is no record of the vote, but the May 25, 1931 minutes "The Peabody Aid Society met..." The Constitution of Peabody Aid states, "The purpose of the Peabody Aid is to provide a loan fund and a gift scholarship to worthy students in Peabody College." Contributions came from hundreds of women and their families. Dues were $1.00 until 1917 then becoming $2.00. In the 1930s and 1940s yearly dues were $4.00. Dues were eventually changed to $5 or a $100 lifetime membership, which could be paid in installments. These dues were used to aid Peabody College and students in need of financial assistance to attend Peabody College, typically through the Loan Fund of Peabody College. Further, Peabody Aid scholarships were given to two to four women each year. Members of the organization also served as ambassadors of Peabody to the wider Nashville community. On January 15, 1981 board members met with the President of Vanderbilt Aid, who extended an invitation to merge the organizations. The Peabody Aid Board voted unanimously to merge. Peabody Aid life members kept their membership. It was at this time that the name “Peabody Aid Society was abandoned. The Vanderbilt Aid money was handled by the financial aid money and confidential, thus could not be given specifically to Peabody College students as requested. The first meeting of the newly merged group was April 29, 1981.