Eleanor J. Bader Papers

Access and use

Location of collection:
Old Dominion University
3023 Patricia W. and J. Douglas Perry Library
Old Dominion University
4427 Hampton Blvd
Norfolk, VA 23529
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Jessica Ritchie
Phone: (757) 683-4483
Fax: (757) 683-5954
Restrictions:

Open to researchers without restrictions.

Terms of access:

Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, and the holder of the copyright, if not Old Dominion University Libraries.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Box [insert number], Folder [insert number and title], Eleanor J. Bader Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

Summary

Extent:
16.40 Linear Feet and 13 Hollinger document cases; 7 Half-Hollinger document cases; 2 multimedia boxes; 2 notebook boxes; 3 clamshell boxes, and 2 oversize boxes. boxes
Creator:
Bader, Eleanor J. (1922-2013)
Abstract:
Chronicling the family and personal life, education, career, and community involvement of Eleanor J. Bader. Career includes work with the Delaware Curative Workshop, the National Easter Seal Society, and the Social Security Administration. Community involvment includes membership and volunteer work for the Virginia Opera, the Virginia Symphony, Cancer Care Foundation of Tidewater, WHRO, and many other professional and civic organizations in Virginia and Delaware. Materials in the collection include personal, religious, and professional certificates, awards, and licenses; business and civic papers; conference materials; correspondence; photos; and memorabilia from her life and travels.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Box [insert number], Folder [insert number and title], Eleanor J. Bader Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection documents the family and personal life, education, career, and community involvement of Eleanor J. Bader. Materials in the collection include personal, religious, and professional certificates, awards, and licenses; business and civic papers; conference materials; correspondence; photos; and memorabilia from her life and travels. The bulk of the collection covers Bader's career including her work with the Delaware Curative Workshop, the National Easter Seal Society, and the Social Security Administration. An oral history with Eleanor Bader can be found on the Old Dominion University Libraries Digital Collections website.

Biographical / historical:

Eleanor Johanne Bader was born March 15, 1922, in Wilmington, Delaware. Ms. Bader graduated from the University of Delaware in December 1943 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education. She attended the Physical Therapy graduate program at the Graduate School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and was awarded a certificate in Physical Therapy in 1944. At that time, the University did not grant degrees in Physical Therapy.

Ms. Bader received her certification in physical therapy in 1946 from the American Registry of Physical Therapists. In October 1945, she joined the Delaware Curative Workshop in Wilmington, Delaware, as a founding member. The DCW was originally funded by the Junior League. Later it was funded in part by community donations under the Red Feather/Community Chest umbrella. The Red Feather and Community Chest organizations were founded in the late 19th century and were the forerunner of the United Way organizations. Ms. Bader was named Executive Director of the DCW in October 1950.

She resigned from the Delaware Curative Workshop in 1962 to take a position as Program Consultant with the National Society for Crippled Children and Adults, now known as the Easter Seal Society, headquartered in Chicago. Ms. Bader relocated from Wilmington to Chicago to take this position. During her career with the Easter Seal organization, Ms. Bader held a number of positions, including Director, Care and Treatment Services, and Administrator for Programs. In 1971 Ms. Bader left the Easter Seal Society following reorganization.During her time with Social Security Administration, Ms. Bader held a number of positions, including Special Assistant to the Director, Bureau of Supplemental Security, Services Coordinator for Evaluation, and Acting Director, OIRPC. During her career with the SSA, Ms. Bader received several commendations, including the Associate Commissioner's Citation, 1980, and the Commissioner's Citation, 1978.In 1985, Ms. Bader moved to Virginia Beach.

In retirement she had been a volunteer with the Cancer Care Foundation of Tidewater. She had been a board member of the Virginia Opera Guild, which included a term as President, the State Board of the Virginia Opera Association and the Virginia Opera Association Hampton Roads Board of Governors. Ms. Bader was also in the Virginia Symphony League.

Eleanor Bader passed away on October 12, 2013 in her home in Virginia Beach.

Acquisition information:

Eleanor J. Bader

Gift. Accession #A2010-10

Processing information:

The finding aid was created by Mel Frizzell, Special Collections Assistant, from 2010-2011.

Arrangement:

The collection is organized into seven series: Series I: Personal and Family; Series II: Education; Series III: Career; Series IV: Organizations; Series V: Miscellaneous; Series VI: Multimedia; and Series VII: Oversize Materials, Memorabilia, and Artifacts.

Accruals:

A second accession was received in 2013.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard