The papers provide insight into the life and work of Ruth Woodsmall and reflect the status of women in the Middle and Far East as well as post-war (World Wars I and II) conditions in Europe. There is an extensive record of her work for the World YWCA (l9l7-1948) and as Chief of Women's Affairs for the US High Commissioner for Occupied Germany (HICOG) (l945-l959). Field surveys of the Balkans and the Near East and surveys of migration conditions in Switzerland, Italy, France, and Belgium are of particular interest as well as research notes and reports on the conditions of women compiled for the World YWCA. Also documented is Woodsmall's work for the Commission on Christian Education in Japan; the Laymen's Foreign Mission Inquiry; and the Baptist Home Mission Study. In addition there is extensive source material on women in the Near and Middle East, and (to a lesser extent) Europe and the Far East, gathered by Woodsmall in support of her publications. There is also a large collection of photographs of women from around the world during the first half of the twentieth century.

Terms of Access and Use:

Restrictions on use:

The Sophia Smith Collection owns copyright to Ruth Woodsmall's unpublished writings. Permission must be obtained to publish reproductions or quotations beyond "fair use." Copyright to materials authored by persons other than Ruth Woodsmall may be owned by those individuals or their heirs or assigns. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights.