AFT: Human Rights and Community Relations Records
Collection
Identifier: LR000348
Scope and Content
Part I:
The bulk of the materials in this collection deals with the Racism in Education conference that the AFT sponsored throughout the late 1960s to the early 1970s. Other materials are general subject files and correspondence to and from the Civil Rights Department.
Subjects Education - Education Reform Education - High Schools - Curricula Education - School Segregation Education - Urban Education Racism in Textbooks Teacher Strikes - San Francisco Oceanhill-Brownsville
Important Correspondents: Eugene Didier; Shirely Gold; Louis T. Hurt; Sandra Feldman; Len Lewis; Mary Ellen Riordan; Dr.Harvey Scribner; Don Slaiman; Marjorie Stern; Mark Stone; Albert Shanker; David Selden; Richard Parish; Ann Ponder
Series Description: Series I. Conferences and Meetings, 1965-1975: Correspondences, clippings, reports, minutes, speeches, questionnaires, notes from meetings.
Series II. Subject, 1965-1972: Correspondence, clippings, speeches, and reports to and from the Human Rights and Community Relations Department of the AFT.
Subjects Education - Education Reform Education - High Schools - Curricula Education - School Segregation Education - Urban Education Racism in Textbooks Teacher Strikes - San Francisco Oceanhill-Brownsville
Important Correspondents: Eugene Didier; Shirely Gold; Louis T. Hurt; Sandra Feldman; Len Lewis; Mary Ellen Riordan; Dr.Harvey Scribner; Don Slaiman; Marjorie Stern; Mark Stone; Albert Shanker; David Selden; Richard Parish; Ann Ponder
Series Description: Series I. Conferences and Meetings, 1965-1975: Correspondences, clippings, reports, minutes, speeches, questionnaires, notes from meetings.
Series II. Subject, 1965-1972: Correspondence, clippings, speeches, and reports to and from the Human Rights and Community Relations Department of the AFT.
Part II:
The bulk of the collection deals with black history, race relations and women’s rights on both national and local levels. The collection consists of AFT files as well as meeting and conference information. The department maintained a large section of subject files relating to civil and human rights in education.
Materials in this collection include booklets, correspondence, flyers, legal proceedings, memos, minutes, meeting materials, news articles and clippings, newsletters, notes, pamphlets, planning documents, policy documents, proposals, reports, resolution documents, and speeches.
Important Subjects Affirmative Action African Americans--History Civil Rights Desegregation in Education Education Reform Education - Minority Education Gay and Lesbian Rights Women's Rights
Important Names: Ed McElroy; Sandra Feldman; Rita Freedman; Phil Kugler; Nat LaCour; Bob Porter; Bella Rosenberg; Albert Shanker; Foster Stringer; Barbara Van Blake; Alex Wohl
Series Description: Series I: AFT Files (1969-2005) Series II: AFT Meetings and Conferences (1966-2003; AV Materials 1992-2002) Series III: AFT Subject Files (1970-2003)
Materials in this collection include booklets, correspondence, flyers, legal proceedings, memos, minutes, meeting materials, news articles and clippings, newsletters, notes, pamphlets, planning documents, policy documents, proposals, reports, resolution documents, and speeches.
Important Subjects Affirmative Action African Americans--History Civil Rights Desegregation in Education Education Reform Education - Minority Education Gay and Lesbian Rights Women's Rights
Important Names: Ed McElroy; Sandra Feldman; Rita Freedman; Phil Kugler; Nat LaCour; Bob Porter; Bella Rosenberg; Albert Shanker; Foster Stringer; Barbara Van Blake; Alex Wohl
Series Description: Series I: AFT Files (1969-2005) Series II: AFT Meetings and Conferences (1966-2003; AV Materials 1992-2002) Series III: AFT Subject Files (1970-2003)
Dates
- 1960 - 2005
Creator
- American Federation of Teachers (Organization)
Language of Materials
Material entirely in English.
Access
Collection is open for research.
Use
Boxes 2 (folder 27) and 3 (folders 10-11) contains sensitive materials. Researchers must sign Restricted Use Form.
Refer to the Walter P. Reuther Library
Rules for Use of Archival Materials.Restrictions: Researchers may encounter records of a sensitive nature – personnel files, case records and those involving investigations, legal and other private matters. Privacy laws and restrictions imposed by the Library prohibit the use of names and other personal information which might identify an individual, except with written permission from the Director and/or the donor.
History
Part I:
The Human Rights and Community Relations Department of the American Federation of Teachers was created by Vice President Richard Parrish October 2, 1966. Before the official department was created it was a standing committee and then a permanent committee with in the executive council. The department was created as an office in the AFT that would be responsible for collecting and distributing information about the government, education and community policies and programs dealing with civil and human rights. The most important duty of the department is to guide the AFT in any “involvement with or commitment to labor and other organizations concerned with civil and human rights.”
Part II:
The American Federation of Teachers Human Rights and Community Relations Department was formed in 1966. The department began as a means to research and share information pertaining to civil and human rights within the education sector. Beginning with a focus on racism in education, the department has evolved and taken on an advocacy and educative role with respect to women’s rights, LGBT rights, and multicultural groups. The department also supports many national and community organizations which focus on education, civil and human rights.
Extent
21.5 Linear Feet (18 SB, 6 MB)
Abstract
The Human Rights and Community Relations Department of the American Federation of
Teachers was created by Vice President Richard Parrish October 2, 1966. Before the
official department was created it was a standing committee and then a permanent
committee with in the executive council. The department was created as an office in the
AFT that would be responsible for collecting and distributing information about the
government, education and community policies and programs dealing with civil and
human rights. The most important duty of the department is to guide the AFT in any
“involvement with or commitment to labor and other organizations concerned with civil
and human rights.”
Part One of the collection deals with the Racism in Education conference that the AFT sponsored throughout the late 1960s to the early 1970s. Other materials are general subject files and correspondence to and from the Civil Rights Department. Part Two of the collection pertains to black history, race relations and women’s rights on both national and local levels. The collection consists of AFT files as well as meeting and conference information. The department maintained a large section of subject files relating to civil and human rights in education.
Part One of the collection deals with the Racism in Education conference that the AFT sponsored throughout the late 1960s to the early 1970s. Other materials are general subject files and correspondence to and from the Civil Rights Department. Part Two of the collection pertains to black history, race relations and women’s rights on both national and local levels. The collection consists of AFT files as well as meeting and conference information. The department maintained a large section of subject files relating to civil and human rights in education.
Arrangement
Part I:
Arranged in 2 series – Series 1 (Boxes 1-5), and Series 2 (Boxes 5-6). Folders arranged alphabetically.
Part II:
Arranged in 3 series - Series 1 (Boxes 1-4), Sereis 2 (Boxes 4-9, AV materials: Boxes 18-19), and Series 3 (Boxes 9-17). Folders arranged alphabetically.
Acquisition
Part I:
Deposited by the AFT.
Part II:
The AFT Human Rights and Community Relations Department Records were deposited at the Walter P. Reuther Library in June, 2007.
Transfers
Audio and video tapes were removed and transferred to the Walter P. Reuther Audiovisual Department.
Processing History
Part I:
Processed and finding aid written by Walter P. Reuther Library.
Part II:
Part 2 processed and finding aid updated by Lauren Olszewski in June 2012.
Creator
- American Federation of Teachers (Organization)
- Title
- Guide to the AFT: Human Rights and Community Relations Records
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by Walter P. Reuther Library.
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Walter P. Reuther Library Repository
Contact:
5401 Cass Avenue
Detroit MI 48202 USA
5401 Cass Avenue
Detroit MI 48202 USA