Finding aid of the Johnnie Phelps Papers and
Memorabilia
Lilly Insalata
ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives
909 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90007
Phone: (213) 741-0094
Fax: (213) 741-0220
Email: askone@onearchives.org
URL: http://www.onearchives.org
© 2008
ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives. All rights reserved.
Finding aid of the Johnnie Phelps Papers and
Memorabilia
Collection number: Coll2008-068
ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives
Los Angeles,
California
- Processed by:
- Lilly Insalata
- Date Completed:
- December 4, 2008
- Encoded by:
- Loni Shibuyama
© 2008 ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives. All rights reserved.
Processing this collection has been funded by a generous grant
from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Johnnie Phelps papers and memorabilia
Dates: 1943-1999
Bulk Dates: 1975-1998
Collection number: Coll2008-068
Creator:
Phelps, Nell Johnnie, 1922-1997
Collection Size: 2 archive cartons + 3 flat
archive cartons + 1 oversize envelope + 1 map drawer. 7.1
linear feet.
Repository:
ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives.
Los Angeles, California 90007
Abstract: Correspondence, awards, certificates, articles
and other material from Johnnie Phelps, World War II veteran and lesbian
activist. The majority of the collection dates from 1975-1998, with most
materials pertaining to Phelps' involvement with the National Organization for
Women, Southern California Women for Understanding, the Los Angeles County
Veterans' Advisory Commission, and the Alcoholism Center for Women; along with
personal correspondence and newspaper articles written about Phelps'
involvement in World War II. The collection also contains various
organizations' textiles and buttons, trophies and certificates awarded for
service, military materials, and photographs.
Languages: Languages represented in the collection:
English
Access
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access
restrictions.
Publication Rights
Researchers wishing to publish materials must obtain permission in
writing from ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives as the physical owner.
Researchers must also obtain clearance from the holder(s) of any copyrights in
the materials. Note that ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives can grant
copyright clearance only for those materials for which we hold the copyright.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain copyright clearance for
all other materials directly from the copyright holder(s).
Preferred Citation
Box #, folder #, Johnnie Phelps Papers and Memorabilia, Coll2008-068, ONE National Gay
and Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Grace Bukowski, date unknown.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Lilly Insalata,
December 4, 2008.
Processing this collection has been funded by a generous grant from the
National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Biography
Johnnie Phelps was born Nell Louise Phelps in North Carolina on April 4,
1922 and was raised with an adoptive family. Her adoptive parents were abusive,
and Phelps spent many of her teen years in and out of jail.
By the 1940s, Phelps married a Navy man, but they constantly fought, and
she sought to escape by joining the military in 1943. She served as part of the
Women's Army Corps (WAC) and was honorably discharged in 1945. She re-enlisted
in 1946 and was honorably discharged a second time. Phelps left the army to
establish her own printing business, which she ran for years. Living in
Southern California, Phelps became politically active in the 1970s. It was
around this time that she met her partner, Grace Bukowski.
Phelps joined the National Organization for Women and founded the San
Gabriel Valley - Whittier chapter in 1979. She chaired the California Lesbian
Task Force (a branch of NOW), and spearheaded protests on behalf of the Norton
Sound Eight--eight female crew members aboard the USS Norton Sound who were
charged with "homosexual misconduct." In addition, she joined the Southern
California Women for Understanding organization and served on the Los Angeles
County Veterans' Advisory Commission. A recovering alcoholic, she also served
as president of the Alcoholism Center for Women.
Phelps died on December 30, 1997 at the Veterans Home in Barstow,
California at the age of 75. She is buried in Veteran's Cemetery in Westwood,
California.
Scope and Content of Collection
Awards, correspondence, clippings, photographs, textiles, medals,
buttons and other memorabilia from lesbian activist and World War II veteran,
(Nell) Johnnie Phelps. The bulk of the material relates to Phelps' military
service and her activism in women's rights groups and dates from the late 1970s
until her death in 1997. The collection is divided into two series: (1)
Personal Papers and (2) Memorabilia and Textiles. The Personal Papers series
includes printed material related to Phelps' activities in veterans and women's
rights organizations, such as the Los Angeles County Veterans' Advisory
Commission, the National Organization for Women and the Alcoholism Center for
Women. This series also includes correspondence with Phelps' partner, Grace
Bukowski, after Phelps' death. The Memorabilia and Textiles series includes
buttons, medals, trophies, military uniform paraphernalia, key chains, a United
States flag and other material related to Phelps' military service, activism
and other accomplishments.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this
collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Phelps, Nell Johnnie,
1922-1997
Gays in the military
Lesbian activists--United States
Lesbians--California--History
Lesbians--Services for
National Organization for
Women
Veterans
Women veterans
World War II
Separated Material
Two books--
Thoughts and Meditations (1960) by Kahlil
Gibran and
Secrets of the Heart (1968) by Kahlil
Gibran--have been separated from the Johnnie Phelps collection.
Box: 1 : 1 - 18 ; 2 : 1 - 13 ; 6
(oversize envelope) ; Drawer 8.5 (map case)
Series 1.
Personal Papers
1958-1999
Physical Description: 2 linear feet + 1 map drawer.
Series Scope and Content
This series compiles correspondence, clippings, photographs,
newsletters, name tags, a book and other typescripts from Johnnie Phelps and
her partner, Grace Bukowski. Included are materials from Phelps' activism, such
as her involvement with the Alcoholism Center for Women, the National
Organization for Women, the Norton Sound Eight, Southern California Women for
Understanding and the Los Angeles County Veterans' Advisory Commission. This
series also contains awards and commendations, photographs and memorial
tributes presented to Grace Bukowski upon Phelps' death in 1997.
Box: 1 : 1
Articles about Johnnie Phelps
1980 - 1993
Box: 1 : 2 - 4
Johnnie Phelps' death
1998
Box: 1 : 2
Correspondence - Sympathy notes about Johnnie Phelps to
Grace Bukowski
1998
Box: 1 : 3
Memorial tributes for Johnnie Phelps
1998
Box: 1 : 4
The Senate California Legislature. Memorial Resolution
for Johnnie Phelps by the Honorable Hilda L. Solis
March 20,
1998
Box: 1 : 5
ApolloMedia Corporation Release of
Conduct Unbecoming on
CDROM
1994
Box: 1 : 6 - 7 ; 6 (oversize
envelope)
Awards, certificates and commendations
1975 - 1996
Oversize Envelope 6
Alice Paul Certificate of Feminist
Achievement
1981
Oversize Envelope 6
Baltimore County Department of Health Bureau of Mental
Health, Communications Skills Training Workshop
1975
Oversize Envelope 6
County of Los Angeles. Board of Supervisors of the
County of Los Angeles does hereby join in the celebration of the 70th Birthday
of Johnnie Phelps.
1992
Oversize Envelope 6
County of Los Angeles Commendation N. Johnnie Phelps,
Los Angeles County Veterans' Advisory Commission
1996
Box: 1 : 7
Veterans for Human Rights. 1st Annual Sgt. Johnnie
Phelps Dinner and Awards
November 11,
1993
Box: 1 : 8 - 9
Alcoholism Center for Women
1987 - 1992
Box: 1 : 10
Before Stonewall press
material
1987
Box: 1 : 11 - 13
Correspondence
1982 - 1997
Box: 1 : 11 -
12
General
1982 -
1997
Physical Description: 2 folders.
Box: 1 : 13
Torres, Esteban E. (Rep.)
1989 -
1998
Box: 1 : 14
k.d. lang Ingénue Tour program
1992
Box: 1 : 15
[Los Angeles County] Veterans' Advisory
Commission
1991 - 1998
Box: 1 : 16
Memorial service programs
1986 - 1997
Box: 1 : 17
Name tags and button - Grace Bukowski
1980 -
1981
Box: 1 : 18
Name tags and business card - Johnnie Phelps
circa 1979 -
1997
Box: 2 : 1 - 2
National Organization for Women
1980 - 1983
Box: 2 : 2
Training manuals
1980 -
1982
Box: 2 : 4 - 5
Norton Sound Eight
1980 - 1994
Box: 2 : 13
One Hundred and One Famous Poems, An
Anthology
, by Roy J. Cook
1958
Box: 2 : 7
Phelps for Treasurer flyer
Date unknown
Box: 2 : 8
Photographs
circa 1980 -
1998
Box: 2 : 8
Johnnie Phelps
Date
unknown
Physical Description: 1 photograph : col.
Box: 2 : 8
Johnnie Phelps' grave
circa 1998
Physical Description: 1 photograph : col.
Box: 2 : 8
1993 SCWU Awards Banquet
1993
Physical Description: 2 photographs : col.
Box: 2 : 8
Unidentified man
Date
unknown
Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w.
Box: 2 : 8
Unidentified boy
Date
unknown
Physical Description: 1 photograph : col.
Oversize Envelope 6
A Short Course in Human Relations
Date unknown
Box: 2 : 9 ; Drawer 8.5 (Map
Case)
Southern California Women for Understanding
1979 - 1993
Oversize Envelope 6
The Sweetheart of the Year Award
1978
Box: 2 : 10 - 11
Clippings
1985 - 1994
Physical Description: 2 folders.
Box: 3 : 1 - 16 ; 4 : 1 - 10 ; 5 : 1 -
4
Series 2.
Memorabilia and Textiles
1943-1995
Physical Description: 3.9 linear feet.
Series Scope and Content
This series compiles textiles and memorabilia related to Phelps'
military service, her activism and her personal life. Included are memorabilia
from the National Organization for Women and the campaign for the Equal Rights
Amendment; awards and trophies, such as the Veterans for Human Rights award;
and military memorabilia. Notably, this series includes a Purple Heart medal,
military uniform paraphernalia, and a United States flag.
Box 3 : 1 - 2
50th Anniversary of World War II
1989
Physical Description: 2 medals.
Box 3 : 3
50th Leyte Landing Anniversary
1994
Physical Description: 1 key chain.
Box 3 : 4
AA 31 Years; The Best of Everything is Getting
Well
Date unknown
Physical Description: 1 key chain.
Box 5 : 1 - 3
Awards and trophies
1986 - 1993
Box 5 : 1
Alcoholism Center for Women plaque
1986 -
1989
Box 5 : 2
Johnnie Phelps - Veteran for Human Rights
circa 1993
Box 5 : 3
Southern California Women for Understanding and the San
Gabriel Valley Chapter Community Service Award
April 17,
1993
Box 3 : 5 - 6 ; 4 : 1 - 5
Equal Rights Amendment and the National Organization for
Women
1979 - 1982
Box 4 : 1
California NOW 79
1979
Physical Description: 1 yellow cloth with blue
text.
Box 3 : 5
79 National N.O.W. Conference; Johnnie Phelps,
CA
October 1979
Physical Description: 1 name tag with attached
ribbon.
Box 4 : 2
National ERA March '80 (sash); California NOW (cloth);
ERA YES (buttons)
1980 -
1982
Physical Description: 1 yellow sash with attached yellow cloth and 4
buttons.
Box 4 : 3
California ERA Chicago March (cloth); I Was There!
National ERA March Chicago, Illinois (button)
May 10,
1980
Physical Description: 1 yellow cloth with 1 green button
attached.
Box 4 : 4
California NOW
circa 1980 -
1982
Physical Description: 1 yellow cloth with blue
text.
Box 4 : 5
California NOW (cloth); Jane Wells-Schooley (button);
Timmer, NOW Indianapolis 1982 (button); Go Foat (button); Webb Secretary
(button)
1982
Physical Description: 1 yellow cloth with 4 buttons
attached.
Box 3 : 6
ERA
Date
unknown
Physical Description: 1 pin.
Box 3 : 7
Gay, Lesbian & Bisexual Veterans of
America
circa 1995
Physical Description: 1 pin.
Box 3 : 8
Ink stamps
Date unknown
Physical Description: 4 stamps.
Box 3 : 9 ; 4 : 6 -
9
Military uniform
circa 1943 -
1945
Box 3 : 9
Buttons
circa 1943 -
1945
Physical Description: 4 gold buttons.
Box 4 : 7
Garrison cap
circa 1943 -
1945
Box 4 : 8
Necktie
circa 1943 -
1945
Box 4 : 9
Patches
circa 1943 -
1945
Physical Description: 2 patches.
Box 3 : 10
Pocket watch with engraving of the Statue of
Liberty
Date unknown
Box 3 : 11
Purple Heart medal
circa 1945
Box 3 : 12
Red, white and blue ribbon
Date unknown
Box 3 : 14
Rosary prayer ring
Date unknown
Box 4 : 10
United States flag
circa 1998
Box 3 : 15
VFHR; 11 Nov 1993
November 11,
1993
Physical Description: 1 silver chain with pendant.
Box 3 : 16
Wallace Silversmiths shoehorn
Date unknown
Box 5 : 4
Wood engraving: "Johnnie Phelps"
Date unknown
