The Goldie Byrd Ruffin Collection includes photographs, ephemera, and newspaper clippings collected by her about her uncle, George R. Vaughns, and correspondence, photographs, and clippings of his brother, William E. Vaughns. This collection shows an era of political activity of African Americans in Alameda County in the 1950s-60s and highlights the achievements of two prominent African American professionals, and their endeavors to further civil rights legislation and litigation.

Goldie Byrd Ruffin was a long-time resident of Oakland California with connections to African American political organizations and relatives that were active in civil rights and politics, including her uncles, George R. Vaughns and William E. Vaughns. George R. Vaughns was a renowned attorney in northern California who ran for Superior Court Judge of Alameda County in 1962. He was a founding member of the Charles Houston Law Club, later to become the Charles Houston Bar Association, an organization dedicated to supporting African American lawyers and civil rights litigation. William E. Vaughns was president of the Alameda County Republican League, active in the 1956 presidential election, and worked with the Republican National Committee Director of Minorities Val J. Washington and his Assistant Thalia D. Thomas toward the election of Republican congressmen in the 17th Assembly District precinct. He was also active in local elections of city council members. He retired from his job at the Pacific Fire Rating Bureau in 1966 after 48 years of service.

1.25 linear feet 1 box + 1 oversized box

Permission to publish from the Goldie Byrd Ruffin Collection must be obtained from the African American Museum & Library at Oakland.

No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public.