Marilyn Califf's Quilt Exhibit
Women in the Workplace
Marilyn Califf developed an art exhibit for the Meridian Museum of Art. This article was written to inform the public of this event. It will last through the months of October until December. This exhibit not only included her quilts, but she also held a quilting workshop.
This article also gave a brief description of her educational background. Califf attended four different universities, and finished at the Memphis Academy of Art. During this period of history, it became the norm for women to attend college. However, it was not normal for a woman to go far from home, especially on an international level.
The Meridian Star
University of Memphis Libraries
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MLGW Organization Chart
Women in the Workplace
This is a chart provided by Memphis Light Gas and Water as a reference for the employees. The chart illustrates Patricia Shaw’s level of responsibility within the company. Her position is directly below the president of the company. During this time, it was an anomaly to see not only a woman, but an African American woman achieve her professional status.
Memphis, Light, Gas, and Water
University of Memphis Libraries
Digital Image © 2016, University of Memphis Libraries Preservation and Special Collections Department. All rights reserved.
Patricia Shaw: Memphis Hypertension Research Convention Honoree
Women in the Workplace, Honoree
Patricia Shaw was honored at a Memphis Hypertension Research Center Convention. The theme of the convention was listed as “Black Women- The Foundation of Black Society.” Within the pamphlet, a small paragraph includes Shaw’s accomplishments. The foundation recognizes her as “the first woman to serve on the Board of Commissioners for the Memphis Light, Gas, and Water Division.” Shaw was also commended for position at Universal Life Insurance Company as Vice President- Associate Controller. We chose this pamphlet because Patricia Shaw was recognized for her hard work, as a woman and as an African American. She worked hard throughout school and her various jobs and was honored for doing so.
The Memphis Hypertension Research Center
MSS 109, Box 1
University of Memphis Libraries
November 29, 1974
Digital Image © 2016, University of Memphis Libraries Preservation and Special Collections Department. All rights reserved.
Contemporary Quilts Swatches
Quilt pattern samples
This is a sample of some of the quilt patterns from Contemporary Quilts. The top samples: Name: Quadriga 100% cotton, 44” wide, colorfast,1% shrinkage. These are $2.00/yd. Numbers 119 and 151 are named O dots, 50% cotton, 50% rayon. They are also $2.00/yd. The middle samples are called Peerless and they are 100% cotton, fast colors, 36” wide. They are also priced at $2.00/yd. The bottom samples are cotton and polyester stripe, 44” wide, and priced at $2.00/yd. Marilyn Califf designed some of her own patterns and it is unsure if these are her designs or not.
MSS 130, Box 1, Folder 31
University of Memphis Libraries
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Patricia Shaw, Picture with Governor Winfielld Dunn
Working Women, Governor
In this photograph, Patricia Shaw and her husband Harold are standing next to Governor Winfield Dunn and his wife, Betsy. The location and the occasion of the photograph is unknown. Both Patricia and Harold worked for Universal Life Insurance and did well within the company. Their importance is made clear through their company and Dunn’s handwritten note on the front of the picture. The note states that Betsy and the Governor had a great evening with the Shaws’.
MSS 109, Box 1
University of Memphis Libraries
Governor Winfield Dunn
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Homemakers club sponsors slide-lecture by quilt lady
Slide lecture on Contemporary Quilts by Marilyn Califf
The Terrell Jackson Homemakers Club sponsored a slide-lecture on Contemporary Quilts by Marilyn Califf, the Memphis “Quilt lady”. This event took place at the Home Economist Office of the County Agency Building on March 22. Tickets for this event were $1.00 and 75 seats were available. This program featured 100 slides of new and old quilts created by Marilyn Califf. Mrs. Califf also presented historical notes about each quilt and where the patterns came from. She designed some patterns herself from scratch, based on requests from customers. Mrs. Califf also wrote two books, “Your First Quilt” and “The Pillow Talk”, both available for purchase at this event. Marilyn Califf was not only a quilt maker, but also a teacher, writer, avid rock collector, graduate artist, and fabric merchant. She also designed kits for people to buy, in order to make their own quilts at home.
Marilyn Califf first began her career through mail order quilting where she experienced tremendous success and had clients from all over the world. Then in 1976 she opened her business in Memphis, TN titled ‘Contemporary Quilts, Home of the Quilt Lady’.Califf was an avid promoter of the arts in Memphis. Every year she attended the Tennessee Crafts Fair and entered some of her original designs for judging. Califf also passed down her knowledge of quilt making by teaching classes at the University of Memphis and Shelby State Community College.
Clarksdale Press
MSS 130, Box 1, Folder 17
University of Memphis Libraries
March 11, 1977
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Patricia Walker Shaw’s Resume
Women in the Workplace
In Patricia Walker Shaw’s resume she provides all of her educational background, work experience, and professional attainments. Beginning with her undergraduate degree in business administration from Fisk University, Shaw continued to earn business degrees from various colleges in order to accomplish her dream of becoming a stockbroker. After finishing school, Shaw began looking for jobs where she could apply her background in business but was unsuccessful, aside from being an accounting trainee at Tri-City Bank in Memphis. Since Shaw was unable her pursue a career in business, a male dominated occupation, she switched over to social work and attended the University of Tennessee in 1966 to receive a masters in the field. Through her connection with her grandfather, she began working for his company (Universal Life Insurance) in 1966. From then on, she was given frequent promotions until she earned her position of Vice President-Associate Controller in 1974. She later became president of Universal Life Insurance when her grandfather passed away. This took place after her 1974 resume had been written.
Patricia Walker Shaw
MSS 109, Box 1
University of Memphis Libraries
1974
Digital Image © 2016, University of Memphis Libraries Preservation and Special Collections Department. All rights reserved.