Founded by Jane Addams in 1915, the WILPF is dedicated to working by non-violent means for international peace and freedom. The Springfield chapter was founded in 1947 by Francis Blane Hurie. Members have comprised black and white Springfield women, including Mary and Emma Kreider, Docia Ashurst, Martha Tranquilli, Isabel Patrick, Agnes Howarth, Alice Kaige and Mary Johnston.

Minutes, constitutions, by-laws, correspondence, newsletters, bulletins, committee records, membership lists, clippings, press releases, photographs, financial records and collected literature documenting the administrative structure, philosophy, activities of the Branch and its relationships with other community organizations and the regional and national WILPF offices. Topics include efforts to end racial discrimination in Springfield by demanding the integration of blacks in Springfield schools and public facilities; the Branch's opposition to the Vietnam War, the selling of war toys and military buildup are recorded; the activities of the Jane Addams Centennial Committee; the imprisonment of Martha Tranquilli for income tax evasion; race relations, housing and education in Springfield.

Also includes a 35 mm slide show on the history of the WILPF, and audio tapes of oral history interviews of 25 members of the Springfield chapter in 1976, including Martha Tranquilli, Agnes Howarth, Blanche Murphy, Mary Kreider, Eloise Wright, Isabel Patrick, and Docia Ashurst. Also a collection of anti-war literature from a variety of sources.

Oral History project on members of WILPF Springfield branch conducted in 1976, original tapes in this collection. In 2010, tapes copied to digital form and are available in the UIS Oral History Project Supplemental collection.