Howard University Digital Howard @ Howard University Manuscript Division Finding Aids Finding Aids 8-14-2015 Harris, Patricia Roberts DPAAC Staff Follow this and additional works at: https://dh.howard.edu/finaid_manu Recommended Citation Staff, DPAAC, "Harris, Patricia Roberts" (2015). Manuscript Division Finding Aids. 246. https://dh.howard.edu/finaid_manu/246 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Finding Aids at Digital Howard @ Howard University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Manuscript Division Finding Aids by an authorized administrator of Digital Howard @ Howard University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Guide to the Patricia Roberts Harris Papers, 1849-1994, bulk 1964-1986 DCAAP.0014 Howard University Collection Number 227 Finding aid prepared by D.C. Africana Archives Project This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit August 14, 2015 Describing Archives: A Content Standard DC Africana Archives Project Gelman Library Special Collections, Suite 704 2130 H Street NW Washington DC, 20052 Guide to the Patricia Roberts Harris Papers, 1849-1994, bulk 1964-1986 Table of Contents Summary Information ................................................................................................................................. 3 Biographical/Historical note.......................................................................................................................... 4 Scope and Contents note............................................................................................................................... 4 Arrangement note...........................................................................................................................................4 Administrative Information .........................................................................................................................5 Collection Inventory...................................................................................................................................... 6 - Page 2 - Guide to the Patricia Roberts Harris Papers, 1849-1994, bulk 1964-1986 Summary Information Repository DC Africana Archives Project Title Patricia Roberts Harris Papers Date [bulk] Bulk, 1964-1986 Date [inclusive] 1849-1994 Extent 100.0 Cubic feet Location note This collection is part of the holdings of the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center at Howard University, 500 Howard Place, NW, Washington, DC 20059. Please contact them for information on accessing these materials. Language English Abstract Patricia Roberts Harris was a lawyer, U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg, dean at Howard Law School, secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Carter, and mayoral candidate in the District of Columbia. She was also deeply involved in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Democratic National Committee. Her papers document her personal and professional accomplishments and include awards, correspondence, mayoral campaign files, files on her various service organizations, newsclippings, and photographs. - Page 3 - Guide to the Patricia Roberts Harris Papers, 1849-1994, bulk 1964-1986 Biographical/Historical note Patricia Roberts was born on May 31, 1924, in Mattoon, Illinois, the daughter of a Pullman car waiter. Raised by her mother after her father left, she excelled at school and won a scholarship to Howard University in 1941.While at Howard, Harris served as vice chairman of the university’s student branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. As a part of the organization’s civil rights efforts, she participated in a protest against a restaurant that only served whites. Harris graduated from Howard in 1945 with honors. In 1965, Harris broke new ground for African-American women when she was appointed U.S. ambassador to Luxembourg by President Lyndon B. Johnson. She held the position for two years and then returned to her teaching at Howard where she again proved to be a trailblazer. In 1969, she became the dean of the law school there, making her the first African-American woman to do so. In 1970, Harris became a corporate attorney at a large law firm. Along with her legal work, she served on the boards of such companies as IBM, Scott Paper Company and Chase Manhattan Bank—hoping to encourage corporations to help foster social change. Harris left her law practice in 1977 after being selected by President Jimmy Carter for his Cabinet as secretary of Housing and Urban Development—making HUD the first Cabinet department to be headed by an African-American woman and Harris the first African-American woman to hold a Cabinet post. Harris grew up to become the first African-American woman to hold a Cabinet position, serve as an ambassador and head a law school. Harris fought for fair housing and employment practices under the Carter Administration as the secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Harris served as a professor at George Washington University Law School until the time of her death. She died of breast cancer at age 60. Scope and Contents note The papers of Patricia Roberts Harris date from 1849-1994 with the bulk of the collection dating from 1964 to 1986 and documents Harris' legal and political career, service, and accomplishments. Among her files are awards, artifacts and memorabilia, personal and business correspondence, files from her time on the Democratic National Committee, Georgetown University materials, mayoral campaign files, NAACP files, newsclippings, photographs, and writings. Arrangement note - Page 4 - Guide to the Patricia Roberts Harris Papers, 1849-1994, bulk 1964-1986 This collection is arranged in alphabetical order by folder title. Administrative Information Publication Information DC Africana Archives Project Conditions Governing Access note Please contact the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center at Howard University for information about accessing this collection. Conditions Governing Use note Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections. Immediate Source of Acquisition note Gift of James S. Campbell and Andrew B. Weissman, personal representatives of Harris' estate, in 1985 and 1989. - Page 5 - Guide to the Patricia Roberts Harris Papers, 1849-1994, bulk 1964-1986 Collection Inventory Box Folder 53 36 1968 Credentials Committee Material 1968 77 12 1972 Credentials Committee of the Democratic National Convention mandate 1972 77 11 1972 Credentials Committee of the Democratic National Convention mandate signatures 1972 77 13 1972 Credentials Committee of the Democratic National Convention mandate signatures 1972 80 2 36th Tactical Figther Wing and 49th Tactical Fighter Wing crests 1967 62 2 49th Fighter Wing NATO Dinner Dance 1966 64 9 75th World Series "Official Ball" 1978 6 1 ABA Special Committee on Study of Legal Education 1975 70 1 Academic robe and hood undated 30 32 Accolades for William Beasley Harris 1965 - Page 6 - Guide to the Patricia Roberts Harris Papers, 1849-1994, bulk 1964-1986 18 14 Adelphi University Honorary Degree and Program 1976 25 5 Administrative Conference 1/2 1971 25 6 Administrative Conference 2/2 1971 56 5 Affidavits - 4 through 6 series 1972 56 6 Affidavits - 4 through 6 series 1972 56 7 Affidavits - 4 through 6 series 1972 19 21 Agreement for Transfer of Assets from National Educational Television and Radio Center to Educational Broadcasting Corporation 1970 7 15 Alpha Wives Appreciation Luncheon 1968 46 12 Alumni Award for Distinguished Postgraduate Achievement from Howard University undated 13 14 Ambassador Harris Official Correspondence 1/2 1967 13 15 Ambassador Harris Official Correspondence 2/2 1967 13 11 Ambassador Harris Personal Correspondence 1/2 1967 13 12 Ambassador Harris Personal Correspondence 2/2 1967 - Page 7 - Guide to the Patricia Roberts Harris Papers, 1849-1994, bulk 1964-1986 13 13 Ambassador Harris Social Invitations 1967 46 11 Ambassador License Plate ca. 1960s 34 5 American Academy of Arts and Sciences 1969-1974 25 13 American Bar Association Advisory Committee on Specialization 1970-1972 23 18 American Bar Association Chicago Meeting 1974 23 14 American Bar Association for the Study of Legal Education 1973 23 15 American Bar Association for the Study of Legal Education 1973 23 16 American Bar Association for the Study of Legal Education 1973 23 17 American Bar Association for the Study of Legal Education 1973 23 19 American Bar Association for the Study of Legal Education 1974 16 13 American Bar Association Forms 1968-1974 23 1 American Bar Association Letterhead circa 1973 25 9 American Bar Association Publications 1968-1969 - Page 8 - Guide to the Patricia Roberts Harris Papers, 1849-1994, bulk 1964-1986 25 10 American Bar Association Special Commission on Specialization 1970 23 2 American Bar Association Special Committee for the Study of Legal Education 1973 23 3 American Bar Association Special Committee for the Study of Legal Education 1973-1974 23 11 American Bar Association Special Committee for the Study of Legal Education 1974 23 12 American Bar Association Special Committee for the Study of Legal Education 1974 23 13 American Bar Association Special Committee for the Study of Legal Education 1974 19 11 American Bar Foundation 1970-1975 19 13 American Bar Foundation 1975-1976 19 12 American Bar Foundation Executive Committee