African American women -- History -- 20th century

Scope and Contents The Ballard Family Collection details the life and career of Lillie M. Ballard and the Ballard Family of Houston, Texas. This, which dates from 1940 to 1985 contains photographs, certificates and newspaper clippings. As a child growing up in segregated Houston during the 1940s and 50s, much of the photos and materials within the collection chronicle her educational and professional development from kindergarten to her career and retirement from nursing. She was able to overcome and achieve ...

Scope and Contents The Beulah Shepard Collection comprises the personal papers of Beulah Shepard from 1940 to 2012. This collection contains correspondence of congratulatory letters on her election to Secretary of the Harris County Democratic Party in 1976. There is also some political correspondence to Beulah Shepard from Texas and various United States Congressmen discussing issues that impacted the late 1970s such as minimum wage increase and women’s rights. This series also contains greeting cards and...

Scope and Contents This collection contains documents, photographs, and newspaper clippings. Documents are in the forms of some personal items from Adair, correspondence to and from Adair, and organizational records from associations and organizations she was a part of. The newspaper clippings are representative of the issues she was concerned about, mainly civil rights, and politics and government. This includes school segregation and integration, youth and education, the democratic party, and election...

Scope and Contents The Ernestine Mitchell Collection contains personal and professional papers of Ernestine Mitchell. This collection, which dates from 1946 to 2011, contains letters, certificates, newsclippings, and photographs that chronicle her career in education and of her family history in her hometown of Angleton, Texas. The majority of the photographs are digital only and are available online at the Houston Public Library Digital Archive.Much of the materials within the collection reflect a...

Scope and Contents The Eulinda Kay Shepard collection contains materials that document the political and community activities of Beulah Shepard mostly from the 1980s through the mid-1990s. Items included correspondence, meeting minutes, annual reports, financial and legal records, land deeds biographical materials, family tree, newspaper clippings, newsletters, directories, posters, flyers, awards and photographs, photo cd and da planners. This collection is valuable for researchers seeking information on...

Scope and Contents The Franklin Beauty School Collection records consist of many different types of documents from the operation of the beauty school. These include student registration forms, the Franklin Beauty School's publications and flyers, correspondence relating to students, payroll records, taxes and business records. There are also records relating to agencies and organizations auxiliary to The Franklin Beauty School, but were important to the school's practice. Documents were retained from trade...

Scope and Content This collection consists of 229 black and white photographs and biographical materials. Photographs depict the Taylor family and home life in Houston, Boley, Oklahoma and Hot Springs, Arkansas from 1914 to 1997. This collection provides a glimpse into black family life and during the early 20th century. Most images are related to James and Josie’s life in Houston, but several are of Hilliard’s success after migration.

Scope and Content The Nellye Joyce Punch Collection houses the personal papers of Nellye Joyce Punch. This collection, which dates from 1964 to 2009 includes newsclippings, awards, publications, ephemera and community materials that chronicle her professional and personal involvement with issues that she has championed in community. The collection also contains a scrapbook with congratulatory notes and photos from the 1992 Savvy Awards. This collection evidences community activism in Houston and Fifth Ward.

Scope and Contents The Oyra Chyra Gibbs collection contains papers collected as a part of the community outreach program. This small collection, which dates from 1953 to 2003, contains biographies on Barbara Jordan, black cowboys, and black women in the west. It also contains newspaper clippings on African Americans in Houston. This collection is relevant to the black women in Texas and the black life in Houston.

Scope and Contents The Sandra Ann Wilson Collection houses the personal papers of Sandra Wilson. This collection, which dates from 1945 to 1985, contains correspondence, special event programs, newspaper clippings, and digital only photographs. Records highlight her experiences as a student at Booker T. Washington High School.

The digital only photographs are available online at the Houston Public Digital Archive.

Scope and Contents The Married Ladies Social Art and Charity Club Collection contains the organizations records from 1950-1977. Materials include the constiution, membership rolls, meeting minutes, correspondece, committee reports, financial records, and photographs.