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Guide to the the Leo Griffin Spoffod Papers
H1992.2
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Title: Leo Griffin Spoffod papers
Dates: 1942-1992
Bulk Dates: 1946-1947
Collection number: H1992.2
Creator:
Spofford, Leo Griffin
Creator:
Lamb, Betty
Collection Size:
.9 linear feet (2 boxes)
Repository:
Claremont Colleges. Library.
Special Collections, Honnold/Mudd Library.
Claremont, CA 91711
Abstract: Leo Griffin Spofford worked for a variety of government agencies from 1932-1947, including the WPA, the War Public Services
Division of the Federal Works Agency, and the New Orleans Department of War Emergency Children's Service. In 1946, Leo became
the Regional Director of the UNRRA (United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Association) and was sent to the Hunan Province,
China. She spent 8 months in China, establishing refugee camps and orphanages. The collection primarily documents Leo's
time in China, with correspondence, photographs, and personal belongings. Also included in the collection is a manuscript
written by friend Betty Lamb, who interviewed Leo and wrote about her experiences in Tiger Bone Wedding: Leo Spofford's Letters
from China, completed in 1985.
Physical location: Please consult repository.
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
Collection open for research.
All requests for permission to publish must be submitted in writing to Special Collections.
[Identification of item], Leo Griffin Spoffod papers. Special Collections, Honnold/Mudd Library, Claremont University Consortium.
Gift of Betty Lamb, 1992
| November 19, 1896 | Leo Griffin Spofford born in Tiptonville, Tennessee |
| 1917 | graduated from the University of Tennessee, receiving her B.A. in sociology and home economics |
| 1932-1936 | Leo was a field worker for government relief work under the Unemployment Relief Committee in Shreveport, Louisiana |
| 1936-1939 | Leo worked as the State Director of the Women's and Professional Projects Division, where she supervised the activities of 10,000 non-construction workers, and the art, music and writers' projects of the WPA |
| 1939-1942 | Leo was the Chief Regional Supervisor for the Employment for Eligible Unemployed, WPA, New Orleans |
| 1942-1943 | Leo was the Regional Supervisor of the War Public Services Division, Federal Works Agency, Fort Worth, Texas |
| 1943 | Leo worked as the Special Assistant to Assistant Commissioner, Federal Works Agency, Washington, D.C. |
| 1943-1946 | Leo was the Director of the New Orleans Department of War Emergency Children's Service, where she created a plan for child care centers under federal supervision, making it possible for mothers to work in war plants. Leo was the Regional Director of UNRRA (United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Association) in Hunan Province for 8 months. Arriving in May 1946, she helped establish, at its highest point, 20 refugee camps and orphanages. |
| 1947 | Leo returned to her home to New Orleans |
| 1949 | Leo opened a gumbo restaurant and a praline shop in New Orleans |
Scope and Content of Collection
The Leo Griffin Spofford papers contain correspondence, photographs, and other personal belongings that document her time
in China (1946-1947) working with the UNRRA (United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Association) and the CNRRA (Chinese
National Relief and Rehabilitation Association).
Also included in the collection is a manuscripts written by Betty Lamb about Leo's experience in China, Tiger Bone Wedding:
Leo Spofford's Letters from China, completed in 1985.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration
China -- Economic conditions -- 1912-1949.
Economic assistance, American -- China.
Reconstruction (1939-1951) -- China.