The Mabel Cratty Papers consist of .75 linear ft. and are primarily related to her work as General Secretary of the YWCA of the U.S.A. between 1906 and her death in 1928. Types of materials include biographical materials, notebooks, "daily reminder" diaries, and a small amount of correspondence. Included also is Margaret Burton's book Mabel Cratty: Leader in the Art of Leadership (1929), a compilation of Cratty's speeches and writings with a biographical sketch by Burton.

The small amount of correspondence consists mainly of typed excerpts of letters by Mabel Cratty which appear to have been collected as part of memorial acitivities after her death.

Cratty's notebooks contain a wide variety of handwritten and typewritten notes, speech drafts, and ideas. They also contain quotes, prayers, statistics, and excerpts from newspaper articles and other reading which relate in some way to the YWCA and its "field." Topics include leadership, women and finance, women and religion, and the Association concept. They provide fascinating insight into her view of her job and the role of the YWCA.

The "daily reminder" diaries include volumes kept by Cratty and by her secretaries, Isabel Norton (1913-18), Lois Clark (1919-21), and Helen A. Davis (1921-23). The brief entries give a sense of Cratty's daily schedule of appointments, meetings, conferences.