Anne Scales Benedict
1896 - 1951

The Anne Scales Benedict Papers (1923-1949) include correspondence and speeches by Mrs. Benedict, as well as newspaper clippings, fund-raising materials, and miscellaneous materials relating to her push for better housing and educational opportunities for women at Vanderbilt University. The bulk of the collection covers 1923-1927, with lighter coverage of the 1930's and 1940's.

Anne Hillman Scales was born in 1883. After graduating at the top of her class at Fogg High School in 1901, she traveled through Europe and the Middle East for five months. Returning to the states, she attempted to gain admission to Vanderbilt University but was turned down due to the men-only admission guidelines of the university. Finally, in February 1902, she persuaded Dr. Frederick Moore of the History Department to admit her for the spring term. While at Vanderbilt, she joined Phi Beta Kappa and was captain of the women's basketball team. She graduated in June 1905 with a Bachelor of Science degree and a grade point average of 95.47. She married Andrew Bell Benedict in 1913.

Mrs. Benedict spent many years working to improve the status of women at Vanderbilt. She was instrumental in the fund drive to raise money to build a women's dormitory and to secure the first Dean of Women, Ada Bell Stapleton. Over the years she also devoted her organizational skills and fund raising abilities to helping Scarritt College, the West End Methodist Church, and the Red Cross.

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.

Scope and Content | Biography | Box Listing | Complete Finding Aid (pdf)

Special Collections | Heard Library | Vanderbilt University

Copyright © Special Collections, Jean and Alexander Heard Library, Vanderbilt University
Last modified: April 10, 2008
For more information, contact us at: < >