Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Guide to the Lillian M. Potts Papers
MS 88
View entire collection guide
Search this collection
Table of contents
Title: Lillian M. Potts papers
Dates: 1937-1998
Collection number: MS 88
Creator:
Potts, Lillian M.
Collection Size:
.75 linear feet
(2 boxes + 1 oversized box)
Repository:
African American Museum & Library at Oakland (Oakland, Calif.)
Oakland, CA 94612
Abstract: The Lillian M. Potts papers include correspondence, programs, newspaper clippings, photographs, ephemera, reports, and brochures
documenting her involvement in California politics and civic and civil rights organizations. The collection is organized into
four series: Political activities, Photographs, Educational activities, Religious activities, and Publications.
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public.
Materials are for use in-library only, non-circulating.
Permission to publish from the Lillian M. Potts papers must be obtained from the African American Museum & Library at Oakland.
Lillian M. Potts papers, MS 88, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.
Processed by Sean Heyliger, 11/23/2013.
Biography / Administrative History
Lillian M. Potts (1917-2010) was born on November 16, 1917 in Eudora, Arkansas. In 1943, she met and married Weilan Potts
and the couple moved to Berkeley, California. After working as a primary school teacher in Arkansas and California, she worked
for the California Equal Employment Opportunity Commission until her retirement in 1980. Both Weilan and Lillian Potts were
active in advocating for civil rights issues and were active in the N.A.A.C.P., with Weilan chairing the G.I. Assistance Committee
in 1951 and Lillian acting as an advisor to the Berkeley Youth Council for five years during the 1960s. Lillian was also active
in a number of civic and political organizations serving as president of the 20th Century Democratic Club and the Berkeley
Victory Democratic Club, and treasurer of the FEPC Employment Commission. She was also an active member of Church Women United
serving ten years on the organization’s board.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Lillian M. Potts papers include correspondence, programs, newspaper clippings, photographs, ephemera, reports, and brochures
documenting her involvement in California politics and civic and civil rights organizations. The collection is organized into
four series: Political activities, Photographs, Educational activities, Religious activities, and Publications. The bulk of
the collection document Potts’ political activities and includes a short narrative history, rally ticket stub, press release,
newspaper clippings, and photographs related to the G.I. Assistance Committee. The political activities series also includes
general correspondence and thank you letters for her support and volunteering with various California political campaigns.
The 54 photographs in the collection are arranged into four subseries by subject: N.A.A.C.P., politics, E Pluribus Unum Civic
Club, and assorted. The N.A.A.C.P. photographs include images of the member of the G.I. Assistance Committee and Potts family
members attending a G.I. Assistance Committee rally. The political subseries include photographs of Potts’ attending a California
Democratic Council in 1957. The education activities series includes a freshman orientation program and Roland Haynes concert
program at Arkansas State College, Pine Bluff and Lincoln School PTA programs. The religious activities program includes a
handwritten play script for a dramatic presentation and South Berkeley Community Congregational church programs. The publication
series includes assorted performing arts and political pamphlets and brochures and newspaper clippings documenting Weilan
and Lillian Potts' political and civic activities.
Series I. Political activities
Series II. Photographs
Series III. Educational activities
Series IV. Religious activities
Series V. Publications
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Potts, Lillian M.
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People--Branches, chapters, etc.--California--Berkeley.
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. G.I. Assistance Committee.
African Americans -- California –- East Bay –- History.
Civil rights movements –- California –- History –- 20th century.