Georgia C. Amsden Papers

Collection

Identifier: MS-0358

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection primarily documents Amsden's work with the American Red Cross and the Federal Department of Vocational Education in France between 1918 and 1919, as well as her later work at the San Diego State College of Business teaching stenography and shorthand. The collection includes correspondence, newspaper clippings, resumes, work reports, speeches, photographs, a scrapbook, and various artifacts including patches, pins, buttons and a bracelet, and souvenir and guide books. Highlights include detailed correspondence about Amsden's experience in war-torn France. Of particular interest is a letter detailing Armistice Day in Paris.

Dates

Creation: 1917-1974

Creator

Amsden, Georgia C. (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The copyright interests in some or all of these materials have not been transferred to San Diego State University. Copyright resides with the creator(s) of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. The nature of archival collections is such that multiple creators are often applicable and copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine. In any case, the user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, obtaining publication rights and copyright infringement. When requesting images from Special Collections & University Archives for publication, we require a signed agreement waiving San Diego State University of any liability in the event of a copyright violation.

Biographical Note

Born in Ypsilanti, Michigan on June 4, 1883, Georgia Amsden arrived in San Diego in 1909 as a stenography teacher at San Diego High School. The majority of the collection concerns her volunteer work in France for the American Red Cross in 1918-1919 during World War I. While in France, the Red Cross "loaned" her to the Federal Department of Vocational Education. As the only female vocational education representative, Amsden travelled to various military camps and hospitals in France. Her job was to distribute vocational propaganda, and interview wounded soldiers about potential job prospects back in the United States. She then returned to San Diego and became an associate professor of business education at San Diego State College in 1925. She retired from the College in 1957. Ms. Amsden died in 1968.