Guide to the Fred Ross, Sr. Papers MSS.2019.01.30
Elena Castaneda
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
11/29/2021
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
San José State University
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0028
special.collections@sjsu.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Title: Fred Ross, Sr. Papers
creator:
Fred Ross, Sr.
Identifier/Call Number: MSS.2019.01.30
Physical Description:
2 boxes
(1.21 linear feet)
Date (inclusive): 1945-2003
Abstract: The Fred Ross, Sr. Papers consist of correspondence, photographs, book manuscripts and other materials pertaining to community
organizer, Fred Ross, Sr. The date range of this collection is 1945-2003, which encompasses the later decades of Fred Ross
Sr's life, as well as the years following his death.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged by form/genre, in alphabetical order.
Biographical / Historical
Fred Ross, Sr. born on August 23, 1910 in San Francisco, California, was one of the most influential community organizers
in American history. His activism began alongside Dust Bowl migrants, where he managed the same labor camp that inspired John
Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath. During World War II, Ross worked for the release of incarcerated Japanese Americans forced
into concentration camps, and after the war, he dedicated his life to building the political power of Latinos across California.
Fred Ross Sr. trained a myriad of successful organizers during his lifetime, including renowned organizer Cesar Chavez, whom
he met in San Jose. Ross also trained Dolores Huerta, and his son Fred Ross Jr.
His final organizing project was with Neighbor to Neighbor, a group headed by Fred Ross, Jr., which successfully pressured
the Congress in 1987 to cut U.S. military aid to the Contras in Nicaragua. Fred Ross Sr. died on September 27, 1992 in San
Rafael, California.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright has not been assigned to the San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives. All requests for
permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the Special Collections & Archives as the owner of the physical items and is not intended
to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader. Copyright restrictions
also apply to digital reproductions of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational
purposes.
Preferred Citation
Ross, Sr. (Fred) Papers, MSS-2019-01-30, San Jose State University, Special Collections & Archives.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Elena Castaneda in November 2021.
Content Description
Correspondence, photographs, book manuscripts and other materials pertaining to Fred Ross, Sr. (b. 1910-d. 1992), an influential
community organizer who founded the Community Service Organization (CSO) in San Jose in 1948. Ross was a mentor to Cesar Chavez
and Dolores Huerta, among other key figures in the U.S. labor and civil rights movements. The majority of this collection
is Fred Ross Sr.'s correspondence, handwritten notes, and book manuscripts. The date range for this collection is 1945-2000,
but the bulk of the material falls between 1970-1992, the last few decades of Ross' life.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Fred Ross, Sr.
Civil rights -- United States
Agricultural laborers--Labor unions
Labor
Strikes and lockouts -- Agricultural laborers -- California
Box 1, Folder 1
Axioms for Organizing
1989
Scope and Contents
Contains the book mauscript for Axioms for Organizing, as well as a copy of the book itself.
Box 1, Folder 2
Book Manuscript and Notes (part 1 of 3)
undated
Box 1, Folder 3
Book Manuscript and Notes (part 2 of 3)
undated
Box 1, Folder 4
Book Manuscripts and Notes (part 3 of 3)
undated
Box 1, Folder 5
Book Reviews and Notes
undated
Box 1, Folder 6
Community Service Organization
circa 1950s
Box 1, Folder 7
Correspondence: fragile
1946-1973
Box 1, Folder 9
Correspondence
Sept 1992
Scope and Contents
These correspondences are from the last month of Fred Ross, Sr's life. Many of the letters are sentimental, wishing Fred Ross
Sr. well or reminiscing over time spent together.
Box 1, Folder 10
Neighbor to Neighbor
undated
Box 1, Folder 11
Newspapers
1955-1991
Scope and Contents
Mostly newspaper clippings about Fred Ross Sr.'s life and related work.
Box 1, Folder 12
Notes
undated
Scope and Contents
Contains hand-written notes from Fred Ross, Sr.
Box 1, Folder 13
Personal Items
undated
Scope and Contents
Contains personal items of Fred Ross Sr., such as a hand-drawn card, a calender, and a small book of protest songs.
Box 1, Folder 15
San Bernadino
undated
Scope and Contents
Contains material that pertained to Fred Ross Sr.'s work in San Bernardino.
Box 1, Folder 16
Speeches
undated
Scope and Contents
Contains hand-written or typed copies of Fred Ross Sr.'s speeches.
Box 1, Folder 17
Organizing and Training
1984-1994
Box 1, Folder 18
United Farm Workers (UFW)
undated
Box 1
Packet for 1986 Democratic "Get out the Vote"
1986
Box 1
Binder of UFW Training
1977
Box 2, Folder 1
1996 Welfare "Reform" Packet
1996
Box 2, Folder 2
Certificate of Recognition to Hector Tarango
March 15, 2003
Box 2, Folder 3
Correspondence of Fred Ross, Jr.
1992-1993
Box 2, Folder 4
Fred Ross Sr. Death Certificate
September 27, 1992
Box 2, Folder 5
Fred Ross Memorial Fund
1992
Box 2, Folder 6
KPFA Advisory Board
1994, 1996
Box 2, Folder 8
San Carlos Foundation
undated
Box 2, Folder 9
Statement by Cardinal Roger Mahony
May 29, 1997
