Title: Wisconsin Occupational Therapy Association Records
Inclusive Dates: 1920-1990

Creator:

• Wisconsin Occupational Therapy Association

Call Number: Mss 733; M92-035; PH 3746

Quantity: 2.0 c.f (2 record center cartons); plus additions of 4.9 c.f. and 67 photographs

Repository:

Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Library, Archives, and Museum Collections

Archival Locations:

Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)

COLLECTION MAY BE STORED OFF-SITE: see catalog entry to request materials and for additional information.

Abstract:

Records, mainly dating from the 1970s, of the Wisconsin Occupational Therapy Association (WOTA), an association organized in 1920 to promote the teaching and practice of occupational therapy in Wisconsin. Minutes, correspondence, reports, bulletins, newsletters, and newspaper clippings document involvement in conferences, legislative activities, the publication of journals and newsletters, and associations with various other health organizations.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-mss00733

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The Wisconsin Occupational Therapy Association (WOTA) was organized in 1920 at the Columbia Hospital in Milwaukee. The association was closely affiliated with the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), which had been organized in 1917. In 1923 and again in 1933 AOTA held its national conference in Milwaukee. At both conferences the participants attended tours of occupational therapy departments in Milwaukee health institutions.

As stated in their constitution, WOTA members promoted the development of occupational therapy in various types of hospitals, and the education and coalition of occupational therapists. Early activities included fund raising and sponsoring discussions and symposiums. WOTA began publishing newsletters and bulletins in 1924; this continued through to the 1970s.

During the 1960s WOTA concerns turned toward the recruitment of occupational therapists, and retired occupational therapists were encouraged to return to the field. WOTA sponsored refresher courses and examined the qualifications of occupational therapists and the requirements of occupational therapy programs. Because of membership growth in the 1960s, districts were formed to encourage attendance and participation on a local level. In addition to attending national conferences, WOTA also sponsored its own annual conferences. During the 1970s they addressed administration, social change, community action, continuing education, and accreditation. During this period WOTA was also active in legislative activities, and members participated in health policy task forces and lobbied for bills concerning social security and for other health care acts.

In 1975 the AOTA national conference was again held in Milwaukee. A special History Committee was formed by the WOTA to gather historical data about the origins and development of occupational therapy in Wisconsin for display at the meeting. Further information about the history of the organization and the lives of its early members may be found in the records of that meeting and in The Way We Were in Wisconsin, a brief history which may be found in the papers.

This collection was received in multiple parts from the donor(s) and is organized into 3 major parts. These materials have not been physically interfiled and researchers might need to consult more than one part to locate similar materials.

• Part 1 (Mss 733): Original Collection, 1920-1979
• Part 2 (M92-035): Additions, 1920-1990
• Part 3 (PH 3746): Additions, undated

Acquisition Information

Original Collection presented by Wisconsin Occupational Therapy Association (WOTA) via Norma G. Smith and Verna Pearson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1978-1980. Additions presented by WOTA via Alice Punwar, Madison, Wisconsin. Accession Number: M78-260, M78-518, M80-126, M92-035

Processing Information

Original Collection processed by Loralee J. Bloom and Carolyn J. Mattern, 1987.

Mss 733	Part 1 (Mss 733): Original Collection, 1920-1979 Physical Description: 2.0 c.f. (2 record center cartons)  Scope and Content Note Minutes, correspondence, reports, bulletins, newsletters, and newspaper clippings document involvement in conferences, legislative activities, the publication of journals and newsletters, and associations with various other health organizations. Information on the earlier history of the organization consists primarily of biographical and historical sketches, pamphlets, brochures, and newspaper clippings compiled as part of the 1975 national conference in Milwaukee. Other early material includes a few copies of the WOTA journal and bulletin and miscellaneous annual reports of the president. The records mainly document activities of the WOTA during the 1970s, during which time the WOTA was predominantly involved in conferences, legislative activities, distribution of publications, and associations with various health organizations. The early history of the WOTA and occupational therapy programs in Wisconsin health institutions is primarily documented by historical material compiled by the History Committee in 1975. Although there is little primary documentation here, the files concentrate on WOTA's early days when occupational therapy was one of the few professions open to women. The collection also includes a file of portraits of early members and photographs of WOTA activities and occupational therapy programs at various Wisconsin hospitals. Except for a few early publications and officers reports, other early material is scarce. The records include constitutions, minutes, reports, and other officers' files; committee records; files on pertinent legislation, relations with the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), and conference and meetings held in Wisconsin; publications and newsletters; survey files; and subject files; they are organized in eight series. ORGANIZATIONAL/ADMINISTRATIVE RECORDS include constitutions, executive board meeting minutes, and some financial reports and committee reports. The presidents' correspondence generally concerns routine administrative activities, although that officer's reports describe annual programs and events of the WOTA. Separately-filed COMMITTEE RECORDS include reports, minutes, and related material. Records relating to RELATIONS WITH AOTA include correspondence, reports, meeting minutes, and resolutions. Further information on relations with the national organization is contained in the material on CONFERENCES AND PROGRAMS. These files include correspondence and information on planning for various national conventions held in Wisconsin. Also filed here is the historical material compiled by the WOTA History Committee for the 1975 national convention. These include a history, The Way We Were in Wisconsin; clippings; speeches; publications; and correspondence (some of which is of a reminiscent character) related to the preparation of an exhibit and The Way We Were in Wisconsin. The file of PUBLICATIONS includes the most complete documentation in the collection. Included are copies of a journal dating from the 1920s, bulletins and newsletters for the years 1934-1955, an index to the bulletins and newsletters (1939-1978), and a fundraising cookbook. Documentation concerning the general status of the profession may be found in a file of survey reports and in records pertaining to a number of health planning organizations in which WOTA was involved. SUBJECT FILES contain correspondence, reports, newsletters, bulletins, meeting minutes, and bills concerning various issues and institutions with which the organization was involved.
	Series: Organizational/Administrative Records
Box   1 Folder   1	Constitution and bylaws, 1958-1979
Box   1 Folder   2-4	Executive Board meeting minutes, 1969-1978
Box   1 Folder   5-6	Presidents' correspondence, 1971-1978
Box   1 Folder   7	Presidents' annual reports, 1929-1938, 1954-1977
Box   1 Folder   8	Treasurers' reports and budget records, 1969-1977
Box   1 Folder   9-12	District annual reports, 1962-1976
	Series: Committee Records	⇧
Box   1 Folder   13	Ad Hoc committees, 1970-1975
Box   1 Folder   14	Advisory Committee, 1971
Box   1 Folder   15	Education Committee, 1969-1974
Box   1 Folder   16	International Committee, 1970-1974
Box   1 Folder   17	Legislative Committee, 1971-1974
Box   1 Folder   18	Membership Committee, 1969-1976
Box   1 Folder   19	Nominating Committee, 1965-1974
Box   1 Folder   20	Placement Committee, 1971-1974
Box   1 Folder   21	Practice Committee, 1967-1974
Box   1 Folder   22	Program Committee, 1948-1974
Box   1 Folder   23	Publications Committee, 1970-1974
Box   1 Folder   24	Publicity Committee, 1970-1975
Box   1 Folder   25	Recruitment Committee, 1969-1972
Box   1 Folder   26	Standards Committee, 1970-1973
	Series: Relations with AOTA (American Occupational Therapy Association)	⇧
Box   1 Folder   27	Council of Affiliate Presidents, 1975-1978
Box   1 Folder   28	Delegate Assembly, 1971-1976
Box   1 Folder   29	National office move, 1971
	Series: Legislative Activities	⇧
Box   1 Folder   30	Governor's Health Policy Task Force, 1971-1974
Box   1 Folder   31	Legislation, 1970-1977
Box   1 Folder   32	Medical Practice Act, 1974
Box   1 Folder   33	60-day physical therapy proposal, 1974
Box   1 Folder   34	Wisconsin Division of Health Policy and Planning, 1973-1978
Box   1 Folder   35	Wisconsin Public Health Association, 1972-1973
	Series: Publications	⇧
Box   1 Folder   36	Wisconsin Journal of Occupational Therapy, 1920-1925
Box   1 Folder   37	Wisconsin Occupational Therapy Bulletin, 1929-1942
Box   1 Folder   38	WOTA Bulletin, 1971-1975
Box   1 Folder   39-40	WOTA Newsletter, 1939-1956
Box   2 Folder   1	WOTA Newsletter, 1971-1978
Box   2 Folder   2	Index of Wisconsin occupational therapy bulletins and newsletters, 1934-1955
Box   2 Folder   3	Miscellaneous WOTA publications, 1960s
	Series: Surveys	⇧
Box   2 Folder   4	Facilities, 1975
Box   2 Folder   5	Manpower, 1971
Box   2 Folder   6	Priorities, 1975
Box   2 Folder   7	Providers, 1978
Box   2 Folder   8	Salaries, 1976-1977
	Series: Conferences and Programs	⇧
Box   2 Folder   9	WOTA conferences and other programs, 1927, 1970-1976
	AOTA conferences in Milwaukee
Box   2 Folder   10	1933
Box   2 Folder   11	1952
	1975
Box   2 Folder   12	General planning material
	History Committee
Box   2 Folder   13-14	General material and The Way We Were in Wisconsin
	Biographical sketches and collected material
Box   2 Folder   15	Bartlett, Kathryn
Box   2 Folder   16	Davis, Elizabeth Upham
Box   2 Folder   17	Gleave, Margaret
Box   2 Folder   18	Grant, Irene
Box   2 Folder   19	McNary, Henrietta W.
Box   2 Folder   20	Smith, Norma
Box   2 Folder   21	Taylor, Marjorie
	Historical sketches
Box   2 Folder   22	Cerebral Palsy Clinic, Milwaukee
Box   2 Folder   23	Certified occupational therapy assistant education
Box   2 Folder   24	Curative Workshop, Milwaukee
Box   2 Folder   25	Goodwill Industries
Box   2 Folder   26	Junior League of Milwaukee
Box   2 Folder   27	Mental retardation
Box   2 Folder   28	Milwaukee Children's Hospital
Box   2 Folder   29	Milwaukee-Downer College
Box   2 Folder   30	Mount Mary College
Box   2 Folder   31	Mount Sinai Hospital
Box   2 Folder   32	Nursing homes
Box   2 Folder   33	Pediatric institutions
Box   2 Folder   34	Psychiatric institutions
Box   2 Folder   35	Rehabilitation centers
Box   2 Folder   36	Tuberculosis
Box   2 Folder   37	University of Wisconsin-Madison
Box   2 Folder   38	University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Box   2 Folder   39	Veterans Administration hospitals
	Series: Subject Files	⇧
Box   2 Folder   40	American Society for Surgery for the Hand, 1977
Box   2 Folder   41	Amnesty/Reinstatement year, 1969-1970
Box   2 Folder   42	Certification, 1972-1978
Box   2 Folder   43	Certification - Occupational Therapy in public schools, 1977
Box   2 Folder   44	Fox Valley Technical Institute, 1971-1974
Box   2 Folder   45	Health careers program, 1971-1972
Box   2 Folder   46	Medicaid claims and reimbursement, 1977
Box   2 Folder   47	Milwaukee Area Technical College, 1969-1975
Box   2 Folder   48	Milwaukee City Mental Health Planning Committee, 1972-1973
Box   2 Folder   49	Scrapbooks, 1937-1946
Box   2 Folder   50	State codes and standards, 1969-1978
Box   2 Folder   51	Technical colleges, 1970-1974
Box   2 Folder   52	Therapy Services, Inc., 1970-1971
Box   2 Folder   53	Unionization and collective bargaining, 1970-1972
Box   2 Folder   54	Western Wisconsin Health Planning Organization, Inc., 1973-1974
Box   2 Folder   55	Wisconsin Coalition of Independent Health Professionals, 1974-1977
Box   2 Folder   56	Wisconsin Professional Review Organization, 1977-1978
Box   2 Folder   57	Wisconsin Regional Medical Program, 1971-1973
Box   2 Folder   58	Wisconsin Respiratory Care Society, 1972
Box   2 Folder   59	Wiscouncil, 1960, 1976-1978
Box   2 Folder   60	World Federation of Occupational Therapy, 1977
M92-035	Part 2 (M92-035): Additions, 1920-1990 Physical Description: 4.9 c.f. (4 record center cartons, 2 archives boxes, and 1 oversize folder)  Scope and Content Note: Additions, 1920-1990, including newsletters, meeting minutes and other materials, reports, conference materials, records on legislation, administrative records, correspondence, and records relating to other health-related organizations. Also included are publications, including the Wisconsin Occupational Therapy Bulletin; scrapbooks; and photographs, including images of occupational therapists and patients at Milwaukee Children's Hospital.	⇧
Box   1 Folder   1	Active members, history, 1931-1939
Box   1 Folder   2	Milwaukee County institutions
Box   1 Folder   3	Wisconsin Occupational Therapy Association documents, 1940-1954
Box   1 Folder   4	Occupational therapy annual reports, 1943-1950
Box   1 Folder   5	Clippings, brochures, 1950-1954
Box   1 Folder   6-8	Newsletters, 1946-1960
Box   1 Folder   9	National conference, Milwaukee, 1952
	Legislation
Box   1 Folder   10	1937, 1958
Box   1 Folder   11	Rehabilitation, 1945-1959
Box   1 Folder   12	Defense, 1940-1942
Box   1 Folder   13-14	Newspaper clippings, 1955-1957, 1968
Box   1 Folder   15	American Occupational Therapy Association, Executive Committee
Box   1 Folder   16	Educational field secretary, 1945-1946
Box   1 Folder   17	Conference and educational brochures, 1965-1970
Box   1 Folder   18-27	Newsletters, meeting materials, reports, 1960-1970
Box   1 Folder   28-29	Activity therapy assistant course, teaching manual, 1969
Box   2 Folder   1	Annual conference, 1968-1969
Box   2 Folder   2	Graduate education
Box   2 Folder   3	Manpower study
Box   2 Folder   4	Districts, 1966
Box   2 Folder   5	Resolutions, motions and procedures
Box   2 Folder   6	By-laws, articles of incorporation
Box   2 Folder   7	Nominations and awards
Box   2 Folder   8	Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) and Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR) listings, by county
Box   2 Folder   9	American Occupational Therapy Association, resolution number 300, 1970-1972
Box   2 Folder   10-16	Newsletters, meeting materials, reports, 1970-1977
Box   2 Folder   17-20	Conferences, 1970-1974
Box   2 Folder   21	Fall meeting, 1973-1974
Box   2 Folder   22-23	Board meeting minutes, 1974-1977
Box   2 Folder   24	Standard operating procedures, June 1975
Box   2 Folder   25	Paid employees, 1975-1978
Box   2 Folder   26	Gatherings, 1975-1976
Box   2 Folder   27-28	Business, 1977-1979
Box   2 Folder   29	Correspondence, 1966, 1972-1978
	Newsletters, meeting materials, reports
Box   2 Folder   30	1977-1978
Box   3 Folder   1	1979-1980
Box   3 Folder   2	Standard operating procedures, 1978
Box   3 Folder   3	Wisconsin Occupational Therapy Association, miscellaneous, 1978-1979
Box   3 Folder   4-7	Board meeting minutes, 1980-1987
Box   3 Folder   8	Copies of correspondence, “articles that I sent out,” 1980-1982
Box   3 Folder   9	Communication with State Medical Society
Box   3 Folder   10	Ethics
Box   3 Folder   11	Professional standards review organizations, 1975-1976
Box   3 Folder   12	Position papers
Box   3 Folder   13	Liaisons with American Occupational Therapy Association Committee on Practice
Box   3 Folder   14	Ethics Committee
Box   3 Folder   15	Professional enhancement project grant/efficiency study, 1984-1986
Box   3 Folder   16-18	Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) supervision, 1976-1986
Box   3 Folder   19-21	Newsletters, 1980-1990
Box   3 Folder   22	Correspondence, copies, 1982-1984
Box   3 Folder   23	Paid staff
Box   3 Folder   24-25	Occupational therapy in schools
Box   3 Folder   26	School-based therapists
Box   3 Folder   27	Medical assistance advisory committee, 1981-1983
Box   3 Folder   28	Medical Society meeting, May 1981
Box   3 Folder   29	Wisconsin Coalition of Independent Health Care Professionals, 1980
Box   3 Folder   30-31	Quality assurance
Box   3 Folder   32	Prospective payment under Medicare, also diagnosis related groups
Box   3 Folder   33	Diagnosis related group tape handouts
Box   3 Folder   34	Fundraising possibilities
Box   3 Folder   35	American Occupational Therapy Foundation, state scholarships
Box   3 Folder   36	Information from or about other professional or health-related organizations
Box   3 Folder   37	Physicians for Social Responsibility
Box   3 Folder   38	Assembly bill/Senate bill 80, clean indoor air
	American Occupational Therapy Association
Box   3 Folder   39	Miscellaneous
Box   3 Folder   40	Forms to send for change of officers
Box   3 Folder   41-42	Foundation
Box   3 Folder   43	International Committee liaison
Box   3 Folder   44	Liaison to Practice Commission
Box   3 Folder   45	American Occupational Therapy Political Action Committee
Box   4 Folder   1-2	Board minutes, 1987-1989
Box   4 Folder   3	Annual reports, 1978-1987
Box   4 Folder   4	Awards, 1944-1955, 1983-1989
Box   4 Folder   5	Objectives and long range plan, 1983-1984
Box   4 Folder   6	Budget, treasurer, 1974-1986
Box   4 Folder   7	Lobbying reports, copies
Box   4 Folder   8	By-laws, 1982-1983
Box   4 Folder   9-11	Conferences, 1978-1988
Box   4 Folder   12	Contracts
Box   4 Folder   13	Directories of members, 1984
Box   4 Folder   14	Districts
Box   4 Folder   15	Education
Box   4 Folder   16	EDS, Medicaid insurance carrier
Box   4 Folder   17	Government affairs
Box   4 Folder   18	Income tax copies, 1978-1982
Box   4 Folder   19	Internal audit reports, 1979-1981
Box   4 Folder   20	Investments
Box   4 Folder   21	Meeting sites
Box   4 Folder   22	Placement bulletin, 1981-1982
Box   4 Folder   23	Position papers
Box   4 Folder   24	Practice
Box   4 Folder   25	Public information
Box   4 Folder   26-27	Marketing
Box   4 Folder   28	Member services
Box   4 Folder   29	Representatives to American Occupational Therapy Association
Box   4 Folder   30	Training: Occupational Therapy Educational Management in Schools (TOTEMS) project
Box   4 Folder   31	Special interest groups, Wisconsin Occupational Therapy Association liaison
Box   4 Folder   32	Standards and ethics
Box   4 Folder   33	Wisconsin Occupational Therapy Association student members, Wisconsin Student Occupational Therapy Alliance
Box   4 Folder   34	Ad hoc/task forces
Box   4 Folder   35	Telephone tree, 1978-1980
	Vice President
Box   4 Folder   36	External affairs
Box   4 Folder   37	Internal affairs
	Publications
Box   4 Folder   38	Wisconsin Journal of Occupational Therapy, 1922-1923
Box   4 Folder   39	Wisconsin Occupational Therapy Bulletin, 1928-1941
Box   4 Folder   40	Uniform terminology system for reporting occupational therapy services, American Occupational Therapy Association, January 1979
Box   4 Folder   41	Accessibility guide, Fox Valley, 1980-1981, Campaign on Environmental Barriers
Box   4 Folder   42	Health Policy Agenda for the American People, Ad Hoc Committee on Basic Benefits, June 1988
	Scrapbooks
Box   4 Folder   43	Occupational therapy instruments scrapbook, circa 1955
Box   5 Folder   1	Newspaper clipping scrapbook, 1939
	Photographs
Box   5 Folder   2	Miscellaneous
Box   5 Folder   3	Moore, Josephine, series, 1957
Box   5 Folder   4-7	circa 1920-1950, 1975-1988
Box   5 Folder   8	Milwaukee Children's Hospital, 1923-1930
Box   5 Folder   9	Occupational therapy at Columbia Hospital, Milwaukee, circa 1950-1960
Oversize Folder	Playroom at Milwaukee Children's Hospital, 1923
	Meeting minute books
Box   5 Folder   10-12	1920-1954, June
Box   6 Folder   1-3	1954, September-1969, 1972-1974
PH 3746	Part 3 (PH 3746): Additions, undated Physical Description: 67 photographs  Scope and Content Note: Images collected by the WOTA, including portraits of early members' occupational therapy programs for children and adults at various hospitals.	⇧