The Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Collection (1951-1977) contains publicity books, scrapbooks, community service records, newspaper clippings, correspondence, photographs, and newsletters pertaining primarily to the Fred S. Pennington post no. 1753 Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Las Vegas, Nevada and the associated local chapter of the American War Mothers organization. The Ladies Auxiliary and the American War Mothers are non-profit organizations that assist in providing support and services to veterans and active service members. This material was formerly known as the Luanna Mitchell Collection.
The Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Collection (1951-1977) contains publicity books, scrapbooks, community service records, newspaper clippings, correspondence, photographs, and newsletters pertaining primarily to the Fred S. Pennington post no. 1753 Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Las Vegas, Nevada and the associated local chapter of the American War Mothers organization. The Ladies Auxiliary and the American War Mothers are non-profit organizations that assist in providing support and services to veterans and active service members. This material was formerly known as the Luanna Mitchell Collection.
Collection is open for research.
Materials in this collection may be protected by copyrights and other rights. See Reproductions and Use on the UNLV Special Collections and Archives website for more information about reproductions and permissions to publish.
Materials remain as they were received.
The Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Collection (1951-1977) contains publicity books, scrapbooks, community service records, newspaper clippings, correspondence, photographs, and newsletters pertaining primarily to the Fred S. Pennington post no. 1753 Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Las Vegas, Nevada and the associated local chapter of the American War Mothers organization.
The Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars formed in 1914 as a way to support veterans and their families. The organization has volunteered at Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers, hospitals, and nursing and veterans’ homes. In addition, the organization contributes to youth activities, cancer research, civic patriotism, and other areas of community development. In 2015, the organization extended membership to eligible men and changed its name to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Auxiliary.
The American War Mothers formed in 1917, with membership limited to mothers whose children served in the Armed Forces between April 6, 1917 and November 11, 1918. Later, due to U.S. involvement in both World War II and the Korean Conflict, the organization amended its charter to include the mothers of those who served in WWII and Korea, as well as any future wars.
Sources:
Veterans of Foreign Wars. “New VFW Auxiliary Now Welcomes Men.” Accessed June 21, 2018. https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2015/8/new-vfw-auxiliary-now-welcomes-men.
American War Mothers of Maryland. “History.” Accessed June 21, 2018. http://www.americanwarmothersofmd.com/history.
Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Collection, 1951-1977. MS-00339. Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada.
Materials were donated in 1994 by Luanna Mitchell; accession number 94-26.
In 2018, as part of an archival backlog elimination project, Christina Lamoureux rehoused the materials, wrote the finding aid and entered the data into ArchivesSpace.