A Guide to the Records of the Gainesville Women for Equal Rights (GWER)
Finding aid prepared by Dina Benson
University of Florida Smathers Libraries - Special and Area Studies Collections
August 2004
Descriptive Summary |
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| Provenance: | Gainesville Women for Equal Rights | |
| Title: | Records of the Gainesville Women for Equal Rights (GWER) | |
| Dates: | 1963-2001 | |
| Extent: | 1.5 linear ft. 4 Boxes | |
| Identification: | Ms 167 | |
Biographical/Historical Note
Gainesville Women for Equal Rights formed in 1963 in conjunction with the Student Group for Equal Rights. The women first made their presence known in October 1963 during protests against segregation at the College Inn; they replaced students on the picket lines who faced expulsion from the University of Florida due to continued absence from class. Members of GWER continued their work in Gainesville for over a decade, sponsoring education and employment programs, protesting discriminatory legal actions, and otherwise striving to improve the quality of life of African-American citizens in Gainesville and surrounding areas. GWER was the driving force behind desegregation at the Boys' Club, the Library, Alachua General Hospital, and other institutions.
Notable individuals: Jean Chalmers, Shirley Conroy, Vivian Filer, Jane Hiers, June Littler, Ann McGhee, Cora Robertson, Rosa Williams, Bobbi Zeman.
Scope and Content
The collection, dated 1963 to 2001, includes correspondence, meeting minutes, and newsletters; documents related to the Home and School (HANDS) education program; and records from the GWER/ACLU Court Observer Program. A video of a 2001 panel discussion and recognition reception hosted by the Central Gainesville/Judy Levy chapter of NOW (National Organization for Women) includes personal anecdotes from GWER members.
Access or Use Restrictions
Access
Collection is open for research.
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Records of the Gainesville Women for Equal Rights (GWER), Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
Contents List
Community Programs, 1965-1975 |
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Box 3 |
GWER/ACLU Court Observer Program (folder 1 of 2). 1968-1969 |
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| GWER/ACLU Court Observer Program (folder 2 of 2). 1968-1969 | |||||||||||||
| Housing. 1965-1972 | |||||||||||||
| Manpower. 1964-1975 | |||||||||||||
Issues of Interest, 1964-1975 |
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Box 3 |
Boys' Club/Swim Meet Desegregation. 1964-1971 |
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| Firing of Harold Acosta. 1964 | |||||||||||||
| Tax/Golf Course Controversy. 1971 | |||||||||||||
| Miscellaneous. 1964-1975 | |||||||||||||
| Waffle Shop. 1966 | |||||||||||||
Related Organizations, 1963-1991 |
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Box 3 |
League of Women Voters. 1967-1972 |
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| Miscellaneous. 1965-1975 | |||||||||||||
| Related Publications. 1963-1991 | |||||||||||||
For further information, please contact: Special Collections Access Services.