The Jean Runyon Papers document the personal, business, and charitable activities of Jean Runyon, one of Sacramento’ prominent business leaders. For nearly 60 years, Jean made Sacramento her home, working to improve the community through her involvement in the arts through performances in community theater as well as story times and puppet shows for children on television, and through promoting and contributing to the arts. It was through promoting the arts for the Sacramento Music Circus in the 1950’s that Jean found her career as a public relations and advertising professional. Jean’s giving and generous spirit was clear from the many charities she was involved with as well as from those around her who were influenced by her encouragement and innate ability to make people feel more confident and at ease. The birthday celebrations, awards, tribute dinners, and honors that Jean received as a result of her generosity and spirit are reflected in the collection as well as the documentation of personal interests, original business records, the practice of her PR and advertising work, and speeches.

Jean Runyon was born on March 6, 1927 in Concordia, Kansas, the only child of Brutus Kerr Hamilton (1900-1970), a 1920 Olympic Decathlon Silver Medalist and Olympic coach, and Rowena Thornburg Hamilton (1901-1976), an actress in the Chautauqua Theater Circuit. Jean got her love of sport, literature and theater from her mother and father.

8.84 linear feet (10 boxes)

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Collection is open for research use.