Politics--Michigan

Jerome P. Cavanagh Photographs and Other Material

drice — Fri, 08 Sep 2017 11:06:29 -0400

The Jerome P. Cavanagh Photographs and Other Material consists of numerous photographs, the majority of which were taken during his time in office. These photographs cover events such as the 1968 Olympic Bid, visits from Lyndon B. Johnson, aftermath of the 1967 unrest, and Mayor Cavanagh with various prominent Detroit business people, union members, and politicians. Also included in the collection is memorabilia from his 1966 Senate campaign, 1968 Olympic information, and other various memorabilia during his time in office.

David Clements Papers

mwallace — Mon, 18 Nov 2013 13:29:35 -0500

David Clements was born in Indiana in 1948, grew up in Benton Harbor, Michigan and earned his Bachelors and Masters degrees from Wayne State University in Detroit. He began his professional life as an educator in Detroit, where he was one of the founders of the Detroit Children’s School, an alternative school to public education. At the same time, Clements was also interested in film and photographic arts and was very involved in the Cass City Cinema in Detroit. Clements’ Detroit urban photography is featured in two photographic books. He currently resides in Royal Oak, Michigan. The David Clements Papers consist mostly of posters and advertisements of events, especially musical ones, happening at small venues within the city of Detroit, Michigan spanning the 1970s through the 2000s. Gospel, jazz, R & B, and electronic music shows are represented in the posters. Political Buttons, nostalgic product packaging, and advertisements from local sporting events, and other happenings throughout Detroit are also within the collection.

Erma Henderson Papers

srafferty — Mon, 09 May 2022 15:05:47 -0400

Erma Henderson first ran for Detroit Common Council in an unsuccessful bid in 1969. However, she was successfully elected in 1972 and served on the Council through 1989. Through her work as a Councilwoman, Henderson was often considered to be one of the most powerful women in Detroit. In addition to her City Council work, Henderson was also very active in a number of organizations that aligned with her interests, particularly municipal government, redlining, civil rights, and advancing the rights and representation of minorities. This collection documents her work for and service to many organizations including Equal Justice Council, National League of Cities, Michigan Statewide Coalition Against Redlining, and the Women's Conference of Concerns. This collection also contains some material from Henderson's tenure on the Council. The material is primarily correspondence based, but also includes daily calendars, news articles, resolutions, among other work documents.

Michael W. Kerwin Papers

srafferty — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 14:17:13 -0400

Mike Kerwin moved to Detroit in 1950 and began work at American Metal Products Co. which led to his membership with the UAW Local 174. Mike Kerwin also served as an Editor of the Local 174 newsletter, Union Voice. After 3 years in this position and becoming increasingly involved in Local 174’s Education Committee, Kerwin began working directly for the UAW as a Technician in the Education Department. Kerwin worked in the UAW Education Department until his retirement, creating educational programs for union members. Kerwin’s work with the UAW, as well as his own interests, led him to be very active in a number of Detroit and Michigan area groups related to the Democratic Party, Detroit Public Schools, Catholic faith, and labor. Among his many accomplishments, Kerwin helped found the Michigan Labor History Society in 1977 where he remained an active member until his passing on July 19, 2021.

Collections Spotlight: Mel Ravitz Papers

Public Relations Team — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 14:50:17 -0500

The Reuther Library is proud to announce the opening of an addition to our Mel Ravitz Papers. The new materials include documents related to Ravitz’s work and research in urban planning and its impact on communities, ranging from 1945-2009. Notably, the collection includes some of Mr. Ravitz’s personal journals from the early 1960s. The addition to this collection may prove particularly valuable to researchers with an interest in the causes and effects of Detroit’s 1967 civil unrest. read more »

Detail of "Political Campaigns" case display

eclemens — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 13:38:37 -0500

Detail of material used in the "Political Campaigns" case display at the Reuther Library.

[Podcast] A Double Agent, a Conservative Affirmative Action Advocate, and a Black Nationalist Walk Into an Archive...: Field Report with Archivist Louis Jones

teller — Tue, 24 Mar 2020 13:05:22 -0400

After a brief hiatus we’re back! Reuther Library Field Archivist Louis Jones discusses fascinating collections recently opened at the Reuther Library. read more »

[Podcast] When It Happened Here: Michigan and the Transnational Development of American Fascism, 1920-1945

teller — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 17:09:38 -0400

Salaina Catalano Crumb explains how American fascism developed and thrived in Michigan from the 1920s through the 1940s due to the influence of right-wing individuals and organizations swayed by the politics of Nazi Germany, including industrialist Henry Ford, anti-communist clergy members Father Coughlin and Reverend Gerald L.K. Smith, militant secret societies like the Black Legion, and immigrant veterans’ and fascist groups including the German American Bund. read more »