Hazel Beaty Hackett Papers

The Hazel B. Hackett Papers span the period 1921 to 1990, although the bulk dates from 1931-1961. The papers primarily document her work at the local, regional and national levels of the American Federation of Soropotimist Clubs, although a small amount of the material pertains to Hackett's other professional activities. There is also some general material, not relating specifically to Hackett, about the Soroptimist International Association.

This collection contains relatively little correspondence. There is, however, one autograph letter from Eleanor Roosevelt, written in August 1947, inviting Hackett and leaders of other women's organizations to her apartment to discuss how best to educate their members about the United Nations. There is also a letter from Hackett, which appears to be designed for mass circulation, which describes a trip to Europe in the mid-1960s, where she visited Soroptimist connections. The remainder of the correspondence consists of congratulation cards on Hackett's appointment as president of the American Federation in 1946, and cards wishing her good luck before her trip to England in that year, as well as letters from the 1970s and 1980s, asking Hackett to speak at Soroptimists' events or requesting information about the history of the organization.

The greatest strength of the collection is the large group of Hackett's draft speeches wrri-ch it c0nt~ins. She gave most of these speeches during her tenure as president of the American Federation (1946 to 1948). Hackett stresses the Soroptimists' commitment to international peace, education, social service and improving the status of women. Other speeches date from Hackett's term as Regional Director (1938-1940), and from occasions when she was the guest of various Soroptimist clubs.

The papers contain s everal photographs, including portraits of Hackett, some of which have been photocopied, dating from 1921 to approximately the 1950s. In addition, there are group portraits of Hackett at various Soroptimist events dating from 1938 to 1981. Furthermore, the collection contains a number of press cuttings-- articles written by and about Hazel Hackett, and reports on Soroptimist activities in which her name is mentioned. The cuttings date from 1929 to 1980. Finally, the collection includes invitations and programs to dinners at which Hackett was a guest, dating from the period 1943 to 1988.

In addition to the material directly relating to Hazel Hackett, the collection contains general items from the Soroptimist organization at the local, regional, national, and international levels. They include: issue s of the American Soroptimist from 1946-1947, 1961 and 1971; a copy of the International Soroptimist from 1986, the British Soroptimist from 1946 to 1948, the Camden Soroptimist from 1931 and 1933, and a few newsletters from local clubs at which Hackett was a guest speaker. Similarly, the collection includes programs from the Soroptimist International Convention of 1948, the American Federation Conventions of 1946, 1948, and 1952, a Treasurer's report from the American Federation Biennial Convention of 1952, committee reports from 1956 and 1957, and a Biennial Report of the Soroptimist International of the Americas for the period 1988 to 1990.

The material on the Soroptimist Club of Camden includes attendance lists dated 1940-1947--attendance at meetings was an important duty for Soroptimists--Hackett•s notes on the preparations for an international banquet in 1956, a membership list from 1962, and acknowledgement forms for contributions to the Soroptimist Foundation from Camden members (1960-1965). Noteworthy are Hackett's notes and her typescript history of the Camden Club, dated 1980.

This collection also contains three publications: Beatrice F. Hyslop, The Soroptimist International Association History: Golden Jubilee 1921-1971 (1971), Grace Chandler's An Informal History of the North Atlantic Region, 1923-67 (1967), and an updated version of the latter, published in 1984, edited by Verna Butterer with the assistance of Hazel Hackett, as well as brochures dating from circa 1971-1987. Miscellaneous items related to Soroptimism are the Soroptimist Songbook and the script for a play featuring prominent women in history, in which Hackett played Harriet Beecher Stowe.

Finally, the collection contains a small amount of material about Hackett's career as a cemetery owner and manager: a copy of the American Cemetery Association Bulletin, which includes a piece on Hackett, an invitation to their 1947 annual convention, and correspondence from 1970 and 1977. There is also a notice of a mason's meeting--Hackett apparently was a matron.

Much of this material is arranged in no particular order in three scrapbooks. The correspondence, speeches, notes, and other materials are arranged in folders (see container list).