Lillian M. Potts papers, 1937-1998

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Summary

Creators:
Potts, Lillian M.
Abstract:
The Lillian M. Potts papers include correspondence, programs, newspaper clippings, photographs, ephemera, reports, and brochures documenting her involvement in California politics and civic and civil rights organizations. The collection is organized into four series: Political activities, Photographs, Educational activities, Religious activities, and Publications.
Extent:
.75 linear feet (2 boxes + 1 oversized box)
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

Lillian M. Potts papers, MS 88, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The Lillian M. Potts papers include correspondence, programs, newspaper clippings, photographs, ephemera, reports, and brochures documenting her involvement in California politics and civic and civil rights organizations. The collection is organized into four series: Political activities, Photographs, Educational activities, Religious activities, and Publications. The bulk of the collection document Potts’ political activities and includes a short narrative history, rally ticket stub, press release, newspaper clippings, and photographs related to the G.I. Assistance Committee. The political activities series also includes general correspondence and thank you letters for her support and volunteering with various California political campaigns.

The 54 photographs in the collection are arranged into four subseries by subject: N.A.A.C.P., politics, E Pluribus Unum Civic Club, and assorted. The N.A.A.C.P. photographs include images of the member of the G.I. Assistance Committee and Potts family members attending a G.I. Assistance Committee rally. The political subseries include photographs of Potts’ attending a California Democratic Council in 1957. The education activities series includes a freshman orientation program and Roland Haynes concert program at Arkansas State College, Pine Bluff and Lincoln School PTA programs. The religious activities program includes a handwritten play script for a dramatic presentation and South Berkeley Community Congregational church programs. The publication series includes assorted performing arts and political pamphlets and brochures and newspaper clippings documenting Weilan and Lillian Potts' political and civic activities.

Biographical / historical:

Lillian M. Potts (1917-2010) was born on November 16, 1917 in Eudora, Arkansas. In 1943, she met and married Weilan Potts and the couple moved to Berkeley, California. After working as a primary school teacher in Arkansas and California, she worked for the California Equal Employment Opportunity Commission until her retirement in 1980. Both Weilan and Lillian Potts were active in advocating for civil rights issues and were active in the N.A.A.C.P., with Weilan chairing the G.I. Assistance Committee in 1951 and Lillian acting as an advisor to the Berkeley Youth Council for five years during the 1960s. Lillian was also active in a number of civic and political organizations serving as president of the 20th Century Democratic Club and the Berkeley Victory Democratic Club, and treasurer of the FEPC Employment Commission. She was also an active member of Church Women United serving ten years on the organization’s board.

Processing information:

Processed by Sean Heyliger, 11/23/2013.

Arrangement:

Series I. Political activities Series II. Photographs Series III. Educational activities Series IV. Religious activities Series V. Publications

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public.

Materials are for use in-library only, non-circulating.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish from the Lillian M. Potts papers must be obtained from the African American Museum & Library at Oakland.

Preferred citation:

Lillian M. Potts papers, MS 88, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.

Location of this collection:
659 14th Street
Oakland, CA 94612, US
Contact:
(510) 637-0198
aamlo@oaklandlibrary.org
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