The Dame Catherine C. Carpender Collection

This collection consists of letters, pictures, articles, and other memorabilia belonging to Dame Catherine C. Carpender.  Born on July 9, 1915 in Virginia and raised in New Brunswick, NJ, Catherine Carpender moved to Wilmington, NC in 1948.  For her charitable work with a clinic in Malta, she was made a member of the Order of Malta and was awarded the Cross of Merit.  Dame Carpender spent a great deal of time traveling abroad, primarily in the Mediterranean region and India.  Boxes number 9 and 10 are a representation of a scrapbook she had accumulated on her travels.  In addition to extensive traveling, Dame Carpender also participated on a number of boards and committees.  Most of these were charitable organizations including the Cambodian Relief Fund and the American Women’s Hospital Service. She also served as vice-chairman of the Binder-Schweitzer Pan American Indian Foundation. Most notably, Catherine Carpender was both the director and assistant director of the Albert Schweitzer Awards from 1974 to 1981. Included in this collection is material pertaining to the Schweitzer Awards, especially the awards given in 1975 and 1981.