ABSTRACT

Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) is an honor society for nurses committed to fostering excellence, scholarship and leadership in nursing to improve health care worldwide.  STTI is a society of nursing leaders who are active in research, education, and practice in the field.  As an honor society, it recognizes those who excel in their field and emphasizes the importance of continued professional enhancement.  The International Center for Nursing Scholarship, located on the campus of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the headquarters of STTI. 

ACCESS

This collection is open to the public without restriction.  The copyright laws of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) govern the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material.

PREFERRED CITATION

Cite as:  Sigma Theta Tau International Records, 1920-2007, Ruth Lilly Special Collections and Archives, IUPUI University Library, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis.

ACQUISITION

Presented by Sigma Theta Tau International, Indianapolis, IN, February 2001.

A2000/01-015, A2002/03-005, A2002/03-013, A2003/04-013, A2003/04-031, A2004/05-013, A2007/08-017, A2007/08-032.

Processed by Brenda Burk, Debra Brookhart, Charles Delporte, Emily Dill, September 2004 and August 2009.

HISTORICAL NOTE

Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) is an honor society for nurses committed to fostering excellence, scholarship and leadership in nursing to improve health care worldwide.  STTI is a society of nursing leaders who are active in research, education, and practice in the field.  As an honor society, it recognizes those who excel in their field and emphasizes the importance of continued professional enhancement.  The International Center for Nursing Scholarship, located on the campus of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the headquarters of STTI. 

The history of STTI begins at the Indiana University Training School for Nurses.  The school first began in 1914 with the opening of the Robert W. Long Hospital on what is now the campus of IUPUI.  During the tenure of the school's second director, Ethel Palmer Clarke (1915-1931), the school blossomed as the number of students rose from 12 to 168 and the physical structure of the medical center grew to include a residence hall for nursing students.  In 1922, six nursing students who were interested in creating a sorority that recognized and encouraged scholarship and high achievement approached Clarke for permission to form an organization. Without her initial approval and interest, STTI may not have become reality.    

These six students: Dorothy Garrigus Adams, Elizabeth Russell Belford, Edith Moore Copeland, Marie Hippensteel Lingeman, Elizabeth McWilliams Miller, and Mary Tolle Wright conceptualized an honor society for nurses.  Motivated by the knowledge that no system of recognition for merit and scholarship existed, they laid the groundwork for a society to recognize achievement.  The requirements of Ethel P. Clarke set the stage for a professional society located at universities based on academic scholarship.  The students, with the assistance of Dorothy and C. Severin Buschmann, obtained approval for the society from the Indiana Secretary of State on October 5, 1922.  They held first induction ceremony for the Alpha Chapter of STTI on October 16, 1922. 

As the students graduated and moved away from Indianapolis, Dorothy Ford Buschmann assumed the responsibility of the continued expansion of STTI.  Her vision to enlarge the organization by inducting new chapters throughout the country kept STTI moving forward.  Besides the lack of a reputation as an honor society, STTI's greatest barrier to expansion lay in the fact that very few university schools of nursing existed in the United States.  In 1927, the society elected its first Grand Council (now board of directors) with Buschmann as president.  In 1929, STTI organized its first Biennial Convention to encourage communication between the new chapters and to help market the society to the other university schools of nursing in the country. At the time of the 1929 convention, STTI had two chapters: Alpha (Indiana University School of Nursing) and Beta (Washington University at St. Louis). 

In order to gain acceptance and national recognition, STTI sought ways to prove its value to its members.  The leaders of the organization struggled to prove that rather than a sorority, STTI existed as an honor society committed to scholarship and educational enhancement.  Prior to this time, nursing research did not receive as much acknowledgment as other forms of research in the medical profession.  Believing that nursing research would further the professional standing of nursing and advance the society's mission of educational enhancement, the members of STTI voted to create a scholarship fund for nursing research.  In 1936, the society awarded the first nursing research scholarship in the nation. 

While the nursing research scholarship proved a successful endeavor, the organization encountered barriers to success throughout its first 20 years of existence.  Membership was a problem for the organization since students constituted the majority of inductees.  After graduation, these students found it difficult to remain tied to the organization.  Leaders found the organization growing fragmented as it became more difficult to locate members and to encourage them to keep their membership current.  Problems revolving around the society's place in nursing and its mission also continued to go unresolved.  By 1946, STTI had only grown to six chapters and the vision of national expansion seemed more distant.  The end of World War II, however, brought changes to nursing.  The dramatic rise in the number of university schools of nursing proved the most significant change for the advancement of STTI.  With this increase, STTI entered the 1950s with more opportunity to induct new chapters and members.   

These problems laid the groundwork for future success.  As the leaders recognized its deficiencies, they began to look at ways to implement change to meet the needs of a growing nurse population.  The leaders saw the importance of running STTI like a business and the organization moved away completely from its beginnings as a sorority.  They also began to seriously campaign and promote the organization to colleges and universities in order to increases membership.  By 1962, membership reached 6,093 in 23 chapters, a major increase from the 1,200 members in six chapters in 1948.  By the end of the 1960s, STTI had reached milestone - the publication of its own scholarly journal,   Image: Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society of Nursing in 1967. 

In 1974, STTI moved into its first permanent home in the newly constructed School of Nursing Building at IUPUI.  This led to the decision to hire a part-time executive officer to help manage the office. As STTI continued to grow, increases in office personnel necessitated additional office space.  The Indiana University School of Nursing provided space for the organization until 1989 when STTI dedicated the International Center for Nursing Scholarship and moved into its permanent home located on the edge of the IUPUI campus. 

The 1970s began a new era in the development of STTI and set the stage for changes of the 1980s.  Having an office staff allowed it to operate more effectively and allowed for the addition of new programs and initiatives.  STTI furthered its commitment to education and research through the addition of new conferences and research sessions at major nursing conferences.  The creation of national awards in leadership and professionalism called the Founders Awards allowed the society to recognize outstanding persons in the profession.  The national office began production of its newsletter, Reflections, in 1975 to improve communication with members.  Leaders also saw the need to become active in an international context.  Through the International Nursing Research Conferences, STTI began to generate interest in other countries.  The development of the Ten-Year Plan in the early 1980s set the vision and focus for professional development in the United States and abroad.  This plan solidified STTI's commitment to scholarship and dedicated the organization to practice and teaching the science of nursing with three themes: knowledge development, dissemination, and utilization.  STTI realized the goals of the Ten-Year Plan with the completion of the Center for Nursing Scholarship in 1989, the induction of a Canadian chapter in London, Ontario in 1988, and in 1989, chapters in Seoul, Korea and Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.  

STTI encountered several changes during the 1990s.  This was its first decade as a true international society.  Members now included three countries besides the United States and vast differences in nursing experience.  Between 1991 and 1993, STTI faced its first major changes in leadership in several years.  STTI reorganized its governing structure in 1991 to create a Board of Directors and in 1993, Nell Watts retired as executive officer after 20 years in the position.  One of the highlights of the decade was the celebration of its 75^th Anniversary in 1997.  The continued advancement of professional leadership programs and international development carried the organization into the new millennium.  By 2004, STTI included 431 chapters and 120,000 members in 90 countries.

Organization Structure

In 1927, STTI's two chapters elected the first Grand Council of Officers comprised of members from both chapters. This council was the decision-making body of the organization and carried out the administrative tasks for the organization. The name of the Grand Council changed to the National Council in 1954 and to the Governing Council in 1985. Since STTI had no staff, the Council was responsible for managing the business and administrative aspects of the organization.  With the creation of a national headquarters in 1972 and appointment of an executive officer, the burden of administration lifted from the National Council.  In 1991, the Governing Council changed its name a final time to the Board of Directors.  As the job of administration shifted to the headquarters staff, the board assumed the tasks of planning and programming.  The board has the additional responsibilities of goal setting, policy development, and resource development.  By 2004 the Board of Directors, consisting of 12 voting members and the Chief Executive Officer (formerly STTI's executive director), governs STTI.  These voting members include the President, President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Regional Chapter Coordinating Committee Chair and six directors. A chief executive officer, hired by the Board of Directors, manages the International Headquarters staff. 

The House of Delegates is the legislative and judicial arm of the organization.  This body, originally called the National Chapter, is comprised of two delegates from each chapter, members of the Board of Directors, chairs of standing committees, the Regional Chapters Coordinators, and past presidents of STTI.  This body approves new chapters, changes to the bylaws, and new programs offered by the membership.  The House of Delegates' responsibilities also include the election of officers and members of the Board of Directors. The House of Delegates meets every two years at the Biennial Convention of STTI. 

In 1982-1983, STTI divided into regions of governance to coordinate programs in various geographic areas and to allow members to meet in the year between the Biennial Convention.  These Regional Assemblies grew to become meeting places for chapters and added a new level for involvement in the organization.  Awards and papers given at the assemblies allowed for greater participation and easier governance.  The Regional Chapters Coordinating Committee governs the regions.  This committee is responsible for assisting the chapter leaders and helping to meet the needs of the chapters through assessment, communication, and education.

Past Presidents

• Dorothy Ford Buschmann, 1927-1934
• Florence Parisa, 1934-1938
• Ruth Perkins Kuehn, 1938-1941
• Katharine J. Densford (Dreves), 1941-1945
• Frances George (Steward), 1945-1951
• Thelma Dodds, 1951-1955
• Myrtle Kitchell Aydelotte, 1955-1957
• Lois M. Austin, 1957-1959
• Edna H. Treasure, 1959-1962
• Catherine T. McClure, 1962-1965
• Virginia Crenshaw, 1965-1971
• Ruth Hepler, 1971-1974
• Sister Rosemary Donley, 1975-1981
• Carol A. Lindeman, 1981-1983
• Lucie S. Kelly, 1983-1985
• Vernice D. Ferguson, 1985-1987
• Angela Barron McBride, 1987-1989
• Billye J. Brown, 1989-1991
• Beth C. Vaughan-Wrobel, 1991-1993
• Fay L. Bower, 1993-1995
• Melanie C. Dreher, 1995-1997
• Eleanor J. Sullivan, 1997-1999
• Patricia E. Thompson, 1999-2001
• May Wykle, 2001-2003
• Daniel J. Pesut, 2003-2005
• Carol A. Picard, 2005-2007
• Carol J. Huston, 2007-2009
• Karen H. Morin, 2009-2011

Honor Society Executive Leaders

• Carolyn Widmer, Executive Secretary, 1967-1973
• Nell J. Watts, Executive Secretary, 1973, Executive Officer, 1974-1993
• Nancy Dickenson-Hazard, Chief Executive Officer, 1993-2007
• Patricia E. Thompson, Chief Executive Officer, 2007-present

REFERENCES

Watts, Nell. The Adventurous Years: Leaders in Action 1973-1993, Center for Nursing Press: Indianapolis, 1997.

Vision of 75 Years: An Anniversary Celebration 1922-1997, Center for Nursing Press: Indianapolis, 1997.

Sigma Theta Tau International Website: http://www.nursingsociety.org/

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The Sigma Theta Tau International Records document the history of the growth and development of the society.  Although the records deal mainly with the organization after 1970, programs, minutes, publications, and oral histories help complete the history of the organization from its beginning in 1922.  This collection of materials helps trace the history of professional nursing not only at Indiana University, but also throughout the world.

Board of Directors Records, 1929-2005, contain the minutes and correspondence related to the decision-making body of the organization.  Divided into several components, the Board Records contain minutes and correspondence from the Board of Directors, building corporation files, foundation board files, national officer correspondence, and committee files.  The Board of Directors minutes are the best place to look for information about the earliest history of the organization.  Included in the board minutes are financial information, committee and officer reports, chapters inducted, and information about programs initiated by STTI.  Although incomplete from 1929-1951, these files offer the most comprehensive look at the development of STTI.  This series also contains files from the Building Corporation and the Foundation Board both formed in the early 1990s to hold the title of the headquarters and to safeguard the society's assets.  These files include meeting minutes and development information.  National Officer Files contain officer correspondence from 1969 through 1999.  This correspondence deals with the governance of Sigma Theta Tau International.   Biographical information about the officers is located in the History Records and in video interviews.

Another component of the Board of Directors Records is the Committee Records.  These files contain the minutes, correspondence, and reports associated with the committees of the organization.  These records contain the specific details of the development of certain programs and practices such as the 75^th anniversary celebration as well as committees responsible for the ongoing operations such as the publications and research committees.  Detailed information is available on the majority of the committees.  The most extensively documented, however, include the Research Committee and the Regional Chapter Coordinating Committee (RCCC).  In addition to minutes and correspondence, the Research Committee Files contain correspondence and applications for the approved STTI research grants.  The RCCC records help trace the development of regional efforts through correspondence from the committee and the regional officers, Regional Assembly programs, and committee minutes.  This is the best place to find information about governance on a regional level. 

Conference and Convention Records, 1929-2005, contain the minutes and publications from the Biennial Convention and other conferences sponsored by STTI.  The Biennial Convention is the organization's major event and gathers delegates from every chapter for the conduct of society business, conference sessions, awards ceremonies, and research presentations.  The materials included in these files are minutes from the House of Delegates, the Biennial Report of STTI, programs and proceedings, abstracts from scientific and leadership sessions, award lists, and chapter biennial reports.  The minutes are a good place to find information about motions, actions taken, and, in earlier years, meeting attendees.  In the earlier years, the minutes were narrative with a switch in the late 1990s to highlighting actions.  This is also a good place a find a compilation of the programs and events of STTI. 

Other conferences in this series include the International Research Congress, theory conferences, writer's seminars, and STTI sessions at other nursing conventions.  These include programs, evaluations, and handouts from these events.  The International Research Congress is the most extensively documented of the conferences because of its role in moving STTI into the international sector.  Materials from the research congress include programs and proceedings, correspondence, and research abstracts. 

Administrative Records, 1920-2005, include information that deals with the daily functions of STTI.  The International Headquarters and its staff are responsible for carrying out the programs and policies approved by the Board of Directors.  These files document that role through the various areas of responsibility at the headquarters.   Information dealing specifically with the building and its development along with other fundraising campaigns, paper records of non-history video productions such as Nursing Approach and Cameo, audits, and membership surveys comprise this series. 

These files also include information about chapters throughout the world, fundraising and development, the Virginia Henderson International Nursing Library, member services, programs, and public relations. 

Chapter Records, 1920-2007, includes information about the development and operations of STTI chapters.  The chapters have two important designations: the Greek name and chapter number. Although the Greek name of the chapter does not change, STTI renumbered the chapters during the 1973/74 fiscal year because of the dissolution of the Beta Chapter (originally chapter #2).  After the removal of this chapter, the numbers for all STTI chapters shifted.

The largest portions of these files are the annual report files, chapter development files, and the chapter financial report files.   The annual report files document the leadership, membership statistics, and scholarly activities of the chapters.  The development files contain the applications for the charter, the original petition, and listing of the founding members.   The financial report files document their fiscal activities during the year.  A directory of STTI chapters is located at http://www.nursingsociety.org/Chapters/Directory/Pages/chp_directory.aspx.  STTI maintains this directory and it is searchable by chapter name or location.  Guidelines and evaluation tools for the chapter are also contained this section.  Further information about chapter induction and reports is located in the Board of Directors and Biennial Convention files.

Award Records, 1954-1999, contain information about the awards and scholarships offered by STTI.  The records include the applications of award winners, award descriptions, and the names of award winners.   Among the awards included are the Founder's Awards, Honorary Membership Awards, chapter awards, International Heritage Awards, and Lifetime Achievement Awards.

History Records, 1920-2000, contain information about the people involved in the creation and development of STTI.  Included in these records are biographical information and scripts from interviews with the founders, presidents, and society leaders of STTI.  Used in concert with taped interviews, these provide first-hand accounts of the major events and people that influenced STTI.  The two major parts of this series is the Beyond Alpha video interviews with five of the founders and the Past President/Executive Officer Oral History Series. 

Publication Records, 1930s-2005, consist of the materials published by STTI, including annual reports, brochures, manuals, handbooks, journals, magazines, and monographs.  The publications provide information about the history of STTI as well as its programs and activities.  The handbooks and manuals are historical evidence of the steps taken to create chapters both in the United States and internationally and of the ceremonies important to the organization.   Other publications important to understanding STTI are the newsletter, Reflections, and the scholarly journal, Image.  Reflections highlights the events that shape STTI while Image focuses on the research conducted by STTI members or through STTI grants.  Monographs published by STTI add to the understanding of the research focus of the organization and include publications resulting from STTI research grants.

SERIES LIST