African Americans -- Civil rights
Subject
Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Found in 32 Collections and/or Records:
Aileen C. Hernandez papers
Collection
Identifier: SSC-MS-00730
Overview
Comprised of correspondence, reports, research notes, surveys, audiovisual materials, and newspaper clippings from the papers of Aileen C. Hernandez, activist and civic leader. These papers document the life of Aileen C. Hernandez, activist and civic leader.
Dates of Materials:
1926 - 2014
Constance Baker Motley papers
Collection
Identifier: SSC-MS-00110
Overview
Judge, lawyer, civil rights advocate, and state senator. The bulk of the Motley papers document her professional life; material includes speeches, interviews, photographs, and memorabilia. The collection sheds light on the successes and failures of programs that emerged from the public policy applications of civil rights in such areas as the war on poverty and race discrimination; urban renewal; and in the New York State courts and political systems. Notable correspondents include: Bella Abzug,...
Dates of Materials:
1934-2018
Conventions, eighteenth, 1949
File — Box 1: Series 1; Series 2 [Barcode: 310183630155991], Reel: 38, microdex: 9
Scope and Contents
Documents concerning group meetings at the Eighteenth National Convention of Young Women's Christian Associations of the United States of America. Small discussion sessions are available to delegates in attendance in order to have more personal interactions surrounding some topics. Preparatory materials and discussion guides for the groups concern the national emphasis, finance, and public affairs programs. In addition to the discussion groups, the Eighteenth Convention hosts group meetings for...
Dates of Materials:
1949
Conventions, thirteenth, 1934
File — Box 1: Series 1; Series 2 [Barcode: 310183630155991], Reel: 32, microdex: 6
Scope and Contents
Documents concerning the Thirteenth National Convention of the Young Women's Christian Associations of the United States of America. Convention addresses given by YWCA members and special guests concern the role of government in economic recovery, the role and voices or organized women in labor and other political and social movements, racism and race relations in the United States, the Social Ideals of the Churches, war and peace, and changing social conditions. Other materials include meeting...
Dates of Materials:
1934
Dorothy Irene Height papers
Collection
Identifier: SSC-MS-00606
Overview
Civil rights activist, YWCA worker. The Dorothy Height Papers, which appear to be a reference file compiled by YWCA of the U.S.A. archives staff from YWCA records and other sources, are primarily related to her work with the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) and the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), dating from 1937 to 2005. The bulk of the materials cover the period between the late 1950s and the mid 1970s and include correspondence, clippings, photographs, awards and tributes,...
Dates of Materials:
1937-2005
Dorothy Pitman Hughes papers
Collection
Identifier: SSC-MS-00733
Overview
Dorothy Pitman Hughes is a civil rights feminist activist, movement leader and author. In the collection there are: fliers, pamphlets, newspaper clippings, proposals, certificates, and photographs. Of special interest, though in very fragile condition, are several issues of The Black Panther,the party's official newspaper. This collection also includes one oversize copy of Dan Bagan's 2014 black and white photograph of Dorothy Pitman Hughes and Gloria Steinem,...
Dates of Materials:
1964 - 2016
Guida West papers
Collection
Identifier: SSC-MS-00555
Overview
Political sociologist; activist; author. The papers focus primarily on West's activism, research, professional activities, speeches, and writings related to welfare rights and economic justice. Her extensive working files document individuals and organizations working for civil rights, welfare rights, and related social movements from the 1960s to the early 2000s. Organizations represented include the Montclair Welfare Rights and Friends of Welfare Rights, National Welfare Rights Organization...
Dates of Materials:
1946 - 2006
Interracial, circa 1933-1949
File — Box 2: Series 2; Series 3 [Barcode: 310183630156023], Reel: 107, microdex: 7
Scope and Contents
Documents concerning YWCA work with African American women and girls. Materials begin with documents regarding an incident of mistreatment of Ms. Barnett, a YWCA secretary, on a train and the subsequent legal activity pursued by Ms. Barnett and the YWCA of the U.S.A. Also included are documents concerning YWCA branch associations for African American women, summaries of civil rights laws and activities, and a report on "Fourteen Civil Rights Studies Made by Local Associations."
Dates of Materials:
circa 1933-1949
Interracial, 1915-1947
File — Box 2: Series 2; Series 3 [Barcode: 310183630156023], Reel: 107, microdex: 8
Scope and Contents
Documents concerning YWCA of the U.S.A. work with and for African Americans women and girls. Conference materials provide an overview of the work being done regarding social justice, civil rights, and YWCA work with African American women and girls. The materials regarding the Commission on Interracial Cooperation and the National Interracial Conference concern cooperation with national movements. Following these materials are documents concerning the death of Juliette Derricotte and another...
Dates of Materials:
1915-1947
Interracial, circa 1936-1948
File — Box 2: Series 2; Series 3 [Barcode: 310183630156023], Reel: 108, microdex: 2
Scope and Contents
Documents concerning YWCA of the U.S.A. interracial work and the civil rights issues of the United States. National Council of Negro Women materials include a statement of interracial philosophy from the YWCA and conference proceedings from the round-table "Building better race relations;" a report on the second National Negro Congress follows these materials; Next, the National Urban League includes a report on an interview with Ethel Clark; and. Following this are issues of "Occasional...
Dates of Materials:
circa 1936-1948
Interracial, circa 1912-1945
File — Box 2: Series 2; Series 3 [Barcode: 310183630156023], Reel: 108, microdex: 3
Scope and Contents
Documents concerning YWCA of the U.S.A. interracial work and civil rights and race issues in the United States. Materials begin with a description of what is known in the YWCA of the U.S.A. as "The Height incident," an incident of racial discrimination against Dorothy Height on a train. Correspondence to and from the Pennsylvanian Railroad Company concern the mistreatment of Dorothy Height on her way from Dayton, OH to Pittsburgh, PA and a written account by Dorothy Height describes the...
Dates of Materials:
circa 1912-1945
Interracial, circa 1920-1946
File — Box 2: Series 2; Series 3 [Barcode: 310183630156023], Reel: 108, microdex: 5
Scope and Contents
YWCA of the U.S.A. reports on race and documents concerning race relations. Included are proceedings from the National Planning Conference on Building Better Race Relationships with appearances by Mary McLeod Bethune and Eleanor Roosevelt. In addition, race relations materials include statements on race relations in the YWCA of the U.S.A., pamphlets on the need for action and background to the situation, a pamphlet on the church and race relations, and reports from various discussions and...
Dates of Materials:
circa 1920-1946
Interracial, 1918-1947
File — Box 2: Series 2; Series 3 [Barcode: 310183630156023], Reel: 108, microdex: 6
Scope and Contents
Documents concerning YWCA of the U.S.A. work with African American constituencies. Included are records of the challenges of planning interracial conferences in the Southern United States, studies and reports of interracial practices at the national and local levels, policies regarding use of buildings and facilities, pamphlets regarding United Service Organization (USO) service to African Americans, and other materials. A portion of the Southern situation materials address difficulties that...
Dates of Materials:
1918-1947
Interracial, 1917-1946
File — Box 2: Series 2; Series 3 [Barcode: 310183630156023], Reel: 108, microdex: 7
Scope and Contents
Miscellaneous pamphlets concerning YWCA work with African Americans as well as issues surrounding race and discrimination. Several pamphlets are attributed to Dorothy Height. This microdex contains pamphlets arranged alphabetically by title A through S.
Dates of Materials:
1917-1946
Interracial, 1919-1945
File — Box 2: Series 2; Series 3 [Barcode: 310183630156023], Reel: 109, microdex: 1
Scope and Contents
Miscellaneous pamphlets concerning YWCA work with African Americans as well as general issues surrounding race and discrimination in the United States. Included here are pamphlets addressing the Christian duty to problems of racism, an overview of YWCA work with African American women and girls, suggestions and advice for fighting racism and segregation, and more. This microdex contains pamphlets arranged alphabetically by title T through Z.
Dates of Materials:
1919-1945
Interracial, circa 1920-1949
File — Box 2: Series 2; Series 3 [Barcode: 310183630156023], Reel: 109, microdex: 2
Scope and Contents
Documents concerning YWCA of the U.S.A. work with African American women and girls. Materials include demographic data, discussion and conference notes, descriptions of racism and discrimination in the United States, overviews of YWCA of the U.S.A. work with African American girls and women and more.
Dates of Materials:
circa 1920-1949
Interracial, circa 1925-1950
File — Box 2: Series 2; Series 3 [Barcode: 310183630156023], Reel: 109, microdex: 3
Scope and Contents
Documents concerning YWCA of the U.S.A. work with African American women and girls. "Proceedings of the Seminar on Racial and Cultural Contacts" summarizes papers given by various authors regarding the treatment of a variety of ethnic groups and nationalities including, but not limited to, African Americans. A report on a workshop on interracial practices discusses the "One YWCA" concept and programs for interracial practice. Other materials may include discussions of discrimination, examples...
Dates of Materials:
circa 1925-1950
Jessie Lloyd O'Connor papers
Collection
Identifier: SSC-MS-00254
Overview
Jessie Lloyd O'Connor was a journalist, social reformer and political activist. She worked as a reporter for Federated Press. Her extensive writings, notes, and correspondence document the labor strikes she covered in Kentucky and North Carolina and her work on civil rights, civil liberties and women's rights. O'Connor served and supported numerous progressive organizations, including the American League Against War and Fascism and the ACLU. Other materials include family biographical files;...
Dates of Materials:
1823 - 1989
Loretta J. Ross papers
Collection
Identifier: SSC-MS-00504
Overview
Loretta J. Ross is a Reproductive Rights advocate, Civil Rights activist, feminist, women's health activist. Her papers contain speeches, writings, correspondence, organization and conference files, and audiovisual materials. The collection pertains primarily to Ross' activism for reproductive justice rights for women of color, anti-violence, international human rights work, and particularly to issues related black women's health. Other topics include abortion, women's health, teenage...
Dates of Materials:
1956 - 2014
Marian Anderson papers
Collection
Identifier: SSC-MS-00433
Overview
Singer. This small collection of Marian Anderson's papers includes primarily keepsakes and correspondence sent to Anderson between 1944 and 1959. The keepsakes include newspaper clippings in several languages sent to her by fans, commemorative photographs and dedications made in her honor while on tour. The collection documents her wide range of interests and contributions to world peace and understanding.
Dates of Materials:
1944-1959
Minutes and reports concerning YWCA of the USA work with African American women and girls, 1920-1921
File — Box 4: Series 1; Series 2; Series 3 [Barcode: 310183630156007], Reel: 278, microdex: 6
Scope and Contents
Documents concerning the YWCA of the U.S.A. work with African American women and girls. Jane Olcott Walters' report on the history of "colored work" in the YWCA of the U.S.A. from 1907-1920 is a compilation of excerpts from records, reports and conferences arranged chronologically. An index provides a guide to topics and types of records that can be found in the compiled report. In 1921 a conference is held in Louisville, Kentucky to assess the progress of the YWCA of the U.S.A.'s work with...
Dates of Materials:
1920-1921
Minutes and reports concerning YWCA of the USA work with African American women and girls, 1915-1931
File — Box 4: Series 1; Series 2; Series 3 [Barcode: 310183630156007], Reel: 278, microdex: 7
Scope and Contents
Minutes and reports of YWCA of the U.S.A. committees involved with the organization's work with African American women and girls and issues relating to racism and race relations. Early meetings focus on visitation reports and matters of personnel. By the time the Council on Colored Work of the National Board of the YWCA of the U.S.A. is formed the focus shifts more to discussions of external trends, social and economic problems faced by the African American community and the YWCA of the...
Dates of Materials:
1915-1931
Nkenge Touré papers
Collection
Identifier: SSC-MS-00563
Overview
Political activist; Health reformer; Feminist; Civil rights activist. The papers consist of extensive files pertaining to Nkenge Touré's activism in health reform and civil and political rights for African American women. SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective and the D.C. Rape Crisis Center are well-documented, as are many conferences and workshops in which Touré participated. Touré's international work in these fields is also represented, and there is a small amount of...
Dates of Materials:
1968-2014
Public affairs, 1936-1949
File — Box 2: Series 2; Series 3 [Barcode: 310183630156023], Reel: 125, microdex: 1
Scope and Contents
Issues of the "Public Affairs New Service," the bulletin of the public affairs department of the YWCA of the U.S.A. The public affairs program of the YWCA of the U.S.A. disseminates information on topics of national importance often involving social-economic issues, legal and legislative concerns, racism, civil rights, federal services, national and global politics, the role of Christianity in social action and the role of women. The bulletin provides information on highlighted issues in...
Dates of Materials:
1936-1949
Race Relations Committee minutes and reports, 1933-1950
File — Box 4: Series 1; Series 2; Series 3 [Barcode: 310183630156007], Reel: 366, microdex: 1
Scope and Contents
The Race Relations Committee of the YWCA of the U.S.A. maintains an awareness of race relations practices, law and conditions in the national organization, local associations and in their communities. The committee discusses the issues surrounding issues of race, recommends practices for local associations and suggests resolutions and statements to be adopted by the Public Affairs department. Discussions include matters of civil rights laws and legislation, the social, economic and political...
Dates of Materials:
1933-1950
Racial Justice Committee, Committee on Racial Integration and Committee on Racial Inclusiveness minutes and reports, 1957-1970
File — Box 4: Series 1; Series 2; Series 3 [Barcode: 310183630156007], Reel: 365, microdex: 10
Scope and Contents
The YWCA of the U.S.A. has since its beginning a mission of inclusivity. In response to growing racial tensions, the desires of its members and the emphases of the National Board, the YWCA of the U.S.A. forms committees to study the racial issues in the organization and local associations and develop recommendations. The committees include discussions of representation in leadership, the development of educational materials, the role of the YWCA of the U.S.A. in the civil rights movement,...
Dates of Materials:
1957-1970
SisterLove records
Collection
Identifier: SSC-MS-00684
Overview
SisterLove is the first women's HIV/AIDS organization in the southeastern United States. The SisterLove records include administrative and program files from the founding of SisterLove to the early 2000s. Particularly well documented are SisterLove's grant applications, their residential program for HIV positive women called "Love House," the Healthy Love Parties, the Women's HIV/AIDS Resources Project (WHARP), their programs in South Africa, and their outreach efforts.
Dates of Materials:
1985 - 2007
Southern Women, the Student YWCA, and Race collection
Collection
Identifier: SSC-MS-00679
Overview
YWCA workers. Fourteen audiotaped interviews with women who were involved with the Student Young Women's Christian Association in the southeastern United States between 1920 and 1944 conducted by Frances Sanders Taylor [Anton], 1981-82 as part her doctoral dissertation.
Dates of Materials:
1920-1944
Third World Women's Alliance, Bay Area chapter records
Collection
Identifier: SSC-MS-00697
Overview
Global women of color reproductive rights and social justice organization. TWWA broadened the scope of women's activism to address issues such as sterilization abuse, infant mortality, welfare rights, and low-wage work. The orientation of TWWA towards the "third world" brought the struggles, condition, and status of women in Latin America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East to the forefront. The bulk of the records focus on the the West Coast and Oakland/San Francisco Bay Area Chapters of the...
Dates of Materials:
1971-1980; Majority of material found within 1971-1977
Vivion Lenon Brewer papers
Collection
Identifier: SSC-MS-00020
Overview
Vivion Lenon Brewer was a co-founder of Women's Emergency Committee to Open Our Schools, a volunteer, banker, and lawyer. A native of Arkansas, Vivion Brewer was an advocate of civil rights and integration and also participated in several women's organizations. This collection sheds some light on her personal and professional life, as well as offering insight into larger questions about the motives and experiences of white Southerners who opposed racism and segregation. Materials include...
Dates of Materials:
1947 - 2004
- Smith College Special Collections
- Neilson Library, 7 Neilson Drive
- Northampton, Massachusetts, 01063
- specialcollections@smith.edu
- 413-585-2970
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