Goldie Byrd Ruffin collection, circa 1940s-1980s, bulk 1956-1958

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Summary

Creators:
Ruffin, Goldie Byrd and Vaughns, William E.
Abstract:
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.
Extent:
1.25 linear feet 1 box + 1 oversized box
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

Goldie Byrd Ruffin collection, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The Goldie Byrd Ruffin Collection includes photographs, ephemera, and newspaper clippings about her uncle, George R. Vaughns, and correspondence, photographs, and clippings of his brother, William E. Vaughns. She collected photographs and newspaper clippings about George R. Vaughns and his wife, and ephemera from his 1962 campaign for Superior Court Judge of Alameda County. She also collected correspondence and papers of his brother William E. Vaughns from his time as President of the Alameda County Republican League in the 1950s, as well as newspaper clippings about him and his political colleagues. The collection is arranged into three series: George R Vaughns; William E. Vaughns; and the scrapbook that held the correspondence, photographs, and clippings. 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.

Biographical / historical:

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.

Acquisition information:
The collection was donated to the African American Museum Library at Oakland by Goldie Byrd Ruffin on May 16, 2003.
Processing information:

Processed by Jennifer Pickens, March 11, 2015.

Arrangement:

Series I. George R. Vaughns Series II. William E. Vaughns Series III. Scrapbook

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public.

Materials are for use in-library only, non-circulating.

Terms of access:

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

Preferred citation:

Goldie Byrd Ruffin collection, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.

Location of this collection:
659 14th Street
Oakland, CA 94612, US
Contact:
(510) 637-0198
aamlo@oaklandlibrary.org
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