AFT: Human Rights and Community Relations Records

Accession Number: 
LR000348
Use restriction: 
Boxes 2 (folder 27) and 3 (folders 10-11) contains sensitive materials. Researchers must sign Restricted Use Form.
Extent: 
21.5 linear feet (18 SB, 6 MB)

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.

Date: 
1960-2005
Attachment(click to download)
LR000348.pdfLR000348_guide.pdf295.78 KB