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Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library© 2001 By the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia. All rights reserved.
Funding: Web version of the finding aid funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Ervin L. Jordan, Jr.
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See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.
Southern Elections Fund & Julian Bond Papers, 1965-1975, Accession #10907, Special Collections Dept., University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.
This collection was purchased from Mr. Julian Bond of Washington, D.C., on 9 February 1990.
THE SOUTHERN ELECTIONS FUND
The SEF was established in August 1969 as a non-profit
corporation to assist in electing local and state level
candidates for office in the eleven states of the old
Confederacy (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana,
Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas,
and Virginia). It provided technical assistance, moral support
and grants ranging from $100 to $400 to slates or individual
candidates, regardless of race, gender, religion, national
origin or political affiliation. These grants, awarded by a
bipartisan selection committee, provided financial
grants-in-aid for election filing fees, campaign and office
materials based on merit, campaign needs, and community
support. The Fund began with a gift of $30,000 from an
anonymous donor after Jack Chatfield, then working with the
Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in southern
Georgia (and later the SEF's first director), observed much
work being done to register black voters "but little or
nothing available to help black candidates for minor office."
Governed by a board of trustees, the SEF sought private and
corporate donations with the goal of building a financial base
of support for Southern politics within the African-American
community. In 1970 its contributions to the South Carolina
campaigns of three blacks and two in Alabama led to their
becoming the first blacks elected to those states'
legislatures since the end of Reconstruction. Between 1970 and
1975 the SEF contributed campaign funds and technical advice
to over 800 candidates, 70 percent of whom were elected to
office as part of a grass roots process that changed the
nature and color of Southern politics.
JULIAN BOND
Julian Bond, the son of Horace and Julia Bond, was born
in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1940 and lived in Pennsylvania
with his family until he enrolled at Morehouse College in
1957. In 1961 he married Alice Louise Clopton, a student at
Spelman (they eventually had five children: Phyllis, Horace,
Michael, Jeffrey, and Julia). In the same year Bond, one
semester shy of graduation, abandoned his studies to focus on
the civil rights movement; because of an increasingly active
civic and political career he did not earn his bachelor's
degree from Morehouse until 1971. He joined in the growing
civil rights movement of the 1960s and participated in public
protest against racial discrimination and became a founder and
executive secretary of the Committee on Appeal for Human
Rights at Atlanta University. Bond also founded and served as
the communications director for the Student Nonviolent
Coordinating Committee during 1961-1966 and worked on behalf
of black voter registration in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, and
Mississippi. He also was managing editor for the
Atlanta Inquirer in 1964.
Elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1965, Bond was denied his seat in January 1966 because of his opposition to the Vietnam War; after winning a special election in November 1966 and a Supreme Court ruling that the House's refusal to seat him was unconstitutional, he was seated in 1967 and served until 1974. In 1968, as head of the Georgia Democratic Delagation at the National Democratic Convention, he was nominated for the Democratic presidential ticket but declined because he did not meet age requirements. He became a member of the SEF's board of trustees shortly after its inception in 1969 and later its chairman, 1969-1974.
Bond was elected to the Georgia Senate in 1974 representing the Fifth District and served until defeated for re-election in the 1986 primary. He became president of the Institute for Southern Studies in Durham, North Carolina in 1987; during 1990 he taught civil rights history at the University of Virginia. Divorced from Alice C. Bond in 1989, he married Pamela Sue Horowitz, a Washington, D. C., attorney, in 1990.
Julian Bond has worked in a variety of capacities for numerous organizations: the Delta Ministry Project of the National Council of Churches; the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Fund; the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Social Change, the Center for Community Sharecropper's Fund (president); the Souther Regional Council; the New Democratic Coalition; the Voter Education Project; Southern Poverty Law Center (president); the NAACP; Southern Correspondents Reporting Racial Equality Wars; the Metropolitan Applied Research Center of New York (visiting fellow); and the Institute of Applied Politics (honorary trustee). His articles and political commentary appeared in numerous periodicals, and currently he is a moderator for "Black Forum," a nationally syndicated television program. He is the author of Black Candidates: Southern Campaign Experiences (Atlanta, 1969), and, A Time To Speak, A Time To Act: The Movement in Politics (New York, 1972). The recipient of numerous honorary degrees, Bond has been a distinguished visiting professor (1980-1991) at Drexel University, Harvard, and American University.
This collection, 1965-1975, consists of correspondence, mailing lists, newsletters and other printed items, photographs, slides, and miscellaneous materials originated by officers, administrators, and sponsors of the Southern Elections Fund, Inc., including professional and political correspondence of Julian Bond, civil rights leader and chairman of the SEF board of trustees. Several prominent contemporary political and civic individuals and organizations, particularly African-Americans, are represented in the collection by correspondence and printed materials.
The collection comprises three series:
I. Julian Bond Papers
II. Southern Elections Fund Papers
III. Miscellaneous & Oversize.
Series II contains five subseries:
Subseries A: Leadership/Administrators
Subseries B: Office files
Subseries C: Name files
Subseries D: Fund Raising
Subseries E: Campaigns & Elections.
Folders are arranged chronologically or alphabetically within each series. The original internal order and titles of select folders have been retained. Special items of note, usually letters of distinguished individuals (especially African-Americans) are indicated.
There are several items of note including copies of a
Martin Luther King, Jr., telegram to the Georgia
legislature urging it to seat Representative-elect Bond
despite his opposition to the Vietnam War (1966), and,
autographed cards and photographs of Julian Bond with
black California politician Willie Brown (other
photographs are in Box 9, folder "Brandt Fund Raising
Garden Party"). In the folders "Julian Bond letters as
chairman of SEF Board of Trustees" are: a letter from
him, 5 March 1973, in response to a Reverend Jesse L.
Jackson (b.1941) telegram requesting civic, religious,
and political leaders to attend a Chicago, Illinois,
conference to organize protests against President
Richard M. Nixon's budget cuts; a pledge of support of
the SEF from California Congresswoman Yvonne Brathwaite
Burke (b.1932), 12 March 1974, and a letter from Senator
Henry M. Jackson (b.1912), who regrets being unable to
attend a meeting, 11 July 1974.
The folders "Julian Bond: Political and SEF
correspondence" have letters from Percy E. Sutton
(b.1920), president, borough of Manhattan, New York
City, 9 November 1973, regarding his election victory;
Johnny L. Ford (b. 1942), mayor of Tuskegee, Alabama, 6
November 1973; California State Senator Mervyn M.
Dymally (b.1926) [later lieutenant governor and
congressman], 30 January 1974, regarding employment for
his assistant in Georgia; letters of Joseph Robbie
(1916-1990), founder and general manager of the Miami
Dolphins football team, 19 February and 11 April 1974;
Senator Edward W. Brooke (b.1919), 7 January 1974;
Coleman A. Young (b.1918), mayor of Detroit, 18 February
1974, concerning his election as mayor; and an
electrostatic copy of a letter to Georgia Governor Jimmy
Carter (b.1924) [later U. S. president], 4 March 1974,
with Bond's offer of the SEF's assistance for Carter's
1974 "Democractic election efforts."
"Letters to Julian Bond as chairman of SEF Board of
Trustees" folders include a 22 March 1973 letter from
Willie L. Brown, Jr. (b.1934), [later speaker of the
California State Assembly], who is unable to serve on
SEF board but promises his support; a 9 October 1973
letter from Harold E. Ford (b.1945), Tennessee House of
Representatives (later member of U.S. Congress),
regarding a "home rule" bill; letters, 15 October 1973
and 5 November 1974, from Leonard Woodcock, president,
United Auto Workers (b.1911), enclosing donations to the
SEF; and a letter of 29 March 1974 from Lady Bird
Johnson (b.1912) [Claudia Taylor Johnson, widow of
President Lyndon B. Johnson], who regrets being unable
to serve on the SEF's board of trustees.
Also present is Bond's state senate nomination
certificate "to run in the November 5, 1974 general
election as the Democratic Party nominee" in Georgia's
39th District.
This series' folders are arranged chronologically in
Boxes 1 and 2.
Jack Chatfield was the SEF's first director
(1968-1969), and his papers (Box 2) comprise one folder
of correspondence. Of particular interest are a
postcard, 10 June 1969, and letter, 21 September 1969,
on how to solicit whites for fund raising, both from
Virginia F. Durr (b.1903) and a letter, 8 July 1969,
from Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm (b.1924) accepting
an offer to become a member of the SEF board.
Robert H. Mitchell was the SEF's treasurer in 1968
and interim treasurer and fund raising director during
1969. His papers (Box 2) comprise two folders of
correspondence. These include a letter, 8 July 1969,
from Jackie Robinson (1919-1972) regarding his possible
membership on the board; an 10 October 1969 letter from
John Conyers, Jr. (b.1929) discussing home rule in the
District of Columbia; and a letter of 10 October 1969
from actor Paul L. Newman (b.1925) enclosing a
contribution.
Antonio Harrison was the first full-time director of
the SEF (1969-1971); his correspondence comprises two
folders (Box 2). Present is a form letter, 19 May 1970,
signed (autopen) by Lilian S. Sandburg [Mrs. Carl
Sandburg], (1883-1976) on behalf of Meharry Medical
College and a 15 September 1970 "financial prospectus"
of American expenditures for the Vietnam War.
Clinton E. Deveaux, executive director from 1971 to
1972, was formerly on the staff of the Southern
Christian Leadership Conference and Andrew Young's
campaign finance manager in 1970. After being hired in
February 1971, he relocated SEF headquarters from New
York to Atlanta, Georgia "so it could be closer to the
people it serves." (A few December 1971 documents
describe him as the SEF president.) His eleven folders
(Boxes 3 and 4) contain mostly letter carbons regarding
fund raising. In the folders "Letters to Clinton
Deveaux" are letters from Leonard Woodcock, regarding
the Democratic Policy Council of the Democratic National
Committee, 14 January 1972; a letter of 25 January 1972
from Robert S. Strauss (b.1918), soliciting Deveaux's
membership in a "72 Sponsors Club,"; John Lewis
(b.1940), concerning the Voter Education Project, 28
July 1972; Reverend Ralph David Abernathy (1926-1990),
president, Southern Christian Leadership Conference,
discussing the SCLC's 15th anniversary convention, 1
August 1972; and a letter of October 1972 from Senator
Edward M. Kennedy (b.1932), regarding his Civilian
Marksmanship Program amendment.
Yancey Martin, executive director from 1973 to 1975,
was formerly a special assistant and national minorities
coordinator for Senator George McGovern and the
Democratic National Committee. His papers (Boxes 4- 5)
are concerned with fund raising and office management.
Among these are 1973 reports of Muriel Mitchel Smith,
director of research. The folders "Letters to Yancey
Martin" include letters from George L. Brown (b.1926),
Colorado state senator, 28 March and 13 April 1973;
Congressman John Conyers (b.1929), 17 December 1973, on
the aftermath of Coleman A. Young mayoralty campaign;
Lawrence Douglas Wilder, 16 April 1973 (b.1931; later
governor of Virginia); California State Senator Mervyn
M. Dymally (b.1926) [later lieutenant governor and
congressman], 12 November & 13 December 1973, 17
January 1974; Gen. Daniel "Chappie" James, Jr.
(1920-1978) [later commander-in-chief, North American
Air Defense Command], 26 November 1973; Fred David Gray,
member, Alabama House of Representatives [1970-1974],
November 13 & 19 1973; John Lewis, executive
director, Voter Education Project, 1 February 1974,
ending his association with the SEF; and, Senator George
M. McGovern (b.1922), on various subjects, 6 December
1974.
Other administrators whose papers are in this
subseries include Ariel Williams, direct mail specialist
(1973) and executive director (1975-?), and Fran
Toliver, director of information (1975-?).
Subseries B (Boxes 5-8) constitutes office files
arranged alphabetically. These include SEF articles of
incorporation (1973), board of trustee minutes and
letters (including one from Shirley Chisholm (b.1924),
congresswoman and educator, to Julian Bond, 7 Feb. 1973,
resigning from the SEF due to burdens of her legislative
duties), the Guide To The Southern Elections Fund's
Personnel Policies and Procedures, the 1969 SEF
organizational plan, and photographs of Sheriff Zelma
Wyche, Tallaulah, Louisiana [town marshal and member of
the SEF Board of Trustees], an autographed photograph of
Sen. George McGovern for Yancey Martin, and photographs
of McGovern, Martin, and [Harold Oliver?].
This subseries is a particularly valuable source for
correspondence. The folder "Correspondence--Early SEF"
has an interesting letter from Taylor Branch (b.1947),
author and civil rights historian, to Jack Chatfield, 29
June 1969, declaring his support of the SEF and black
voting activities; an 8 August 1969 letter to Chatfield
bearing a signed autograph endorsement of Maynard H.
Jackson [later mayor of Atlanta] (b.1938), and 19 August
1969 letter of Curtis M. Graves (b.1938) black Texas
state representative [1966-1977] and noted aerospace
professional.
Letters in the "Correspondence (Miscellaneous)"
folders in Boxes 6-7 include:
*John Lewis (b. 1940) Voter
Education Project, 12 April 1973, resigns as an SEF
trustee because of confusion between his roles in the
VEP and SEF
*William P. Robinson, Sr. ,
member, Virginia House of Delegates, 29 May 1973 & 3
July 1973
*Percy E. Sutton (b.1920),
president, borough of Manhattan, 26 June 1973
*Senator Hubert H.
Humphrey (1911-1978) to Julian Bond, 24 May 1973,
congratulating him on his appointment to the Commission
on the Selection of the Vice Presidential Nominee
*George L. Brown (b.1926),
Colorado state senator, to Bond, 8 May 1973, concerning
fund raising problems
*Reverend Jesse L.
Jackson (b.1941), president of PUSH, to Yancey
Martin, 18 June 1973, thank-you note
*Fran Shields, secretary to entertainer Bill Cosby
(b.1937), 6 June 1973, to Bond regretting Cosby's
inability to donate money to SEF
*C. Delores Tucker (b.1927),
secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 24 May
1973
*Ralph David
Abernathy (1926-1990), president, Southern
Christian Leadership Conference, 7 March 1973 to Dr.
D.J. Brooks re SCLC expenditures (carbon) incurred by
Reverend Bernard S. Lee and 1 August 1973 letter to
Yancey Martin regarding the SCLC's 16th anniversary
convention
*Walter F. Mondale (b.1928) to
Martin, August 1 & 9, 1973, of his intent to assist
the SEF (electrostatic copy)
*Joseph Robbie (1916-1990),
founder and general manager of the Miami Dolphins
football team, as chair of the Democratic Executive
Committee of Dade County [Florida] 25 August 1973
*F. S. Farley, member of
Petersburg, Virginia, city council 17 July 1973,
thanking the SEF for contributions to his campaign
*Barbara Jordan (b.1936),
member of Congress, 6 July 1973, as a potential SEF
trustee
*Senator Herman
Talmadge (b.1913), 4 August 1973, thanks and good
wishes
*California State Senator Mervyn M.
Dymally (b.1926) 30 July 1973, about a California
fund raiser for SEF
Subseries C's (Box 8) name files are arranged
alphabetically with folders for John Conyers
(biographical sketch and photograph), Charles Evers (b.
1922) first Black mayor of Fayette, Alabama (May 1969),
John Lewis (b. 1940) and his work with the Voter
Education Project (biographical sketch and photograph),
Southern Poverty Law Center (photographs of the Relf
sisters, sterilized without parental notification or
consent) and Mrs. Viola Hart, wrongfully evicted from
her home, and, Andrew Young (b. 1932) of the Atlanta
Community Relations Committee (photographs and items for
his congressional campaign).
Subseries D (Boxes 9-12) has alphabetical folders
concerning SEF fund raising activities such as its
reception for the southern premiere of the motion
picture Claudine [23 April 1974]; the film's stars,
Diahann Carroll [nominated for an Academy Award] and
James Earl Jones, musical composer Curtis Mayfield, and
theme music performers Gladys Knight and the Pips,
appeared on the SEF's behalf at a private cocktail
party. Materials of similar activities are available for
the motion picture Don't Play Us Cheap, directed by
noted black filmmaker and actor Melvin Van Peebles
(b.1932); its world premiere was sponsored by the SEF
and photographs of Peebles with SEF Executive Director
Yancey Martin and SEF Vice-Chair and Congressman Andrew
Young are present.
Letters of Leonard Woodcock (president of the United
Auto Workers) are in two folders, "Contributions from
Unions" and "Fund Raising Responses" (3 January 1974). A
Margaret Mead (1901-1978) form letter (signed in
autopen), May 1970, endorsing Planned Parenthood is in
the "Fund Appeals to SEF" folder. Of interest are
electrostatic copies of faculty and staff directories
for Morris Brown College, Clark College, and Atlanta
University, Atlanta, Georgia, in the folder "Mailing
Lists."
Subseries E (Boxes 13-15) includes various
alphabetical folders of materials for SEF campaign and
election activities. The "Candidates Not Funded by SEF"
folder contains letters of application for financial
assistance from Avon Williams Rollins, candidate for the
Knoxville, Tennessee, board of education, and Henrietta
M. Canty, candidate for Atlanta's board of aldermen. The
same is true for the folders "Louisiana" (with
applications for financial assistance and a letter from
sheriff's candidate Zelma C. Wyche, Tallaulah,
Louisiana, enclosing list and handbills of various black
candidates, 15 October 1975) and "Mississippi" (Ariel
Williams letters and photocopies of The Institute of
Politics in Mississippi.)
The "Southern Office Holders Questionnaires" folder
contains biographical information on black elected and
appointive officials in the South. Joseph W. Mallisham's
folder includes guidelines for poll watchers. Political
campaigns by black Virginians are reflected in folders
for William Ferguson Reid, Virginia House of Delegates
(1968-1973), Arthur W. Walls of Arlington County, and
Roland J. Walton of Norfolk. Also of special interest is
the folder of racial violence news articles containing
the chronologies "Some Race Related Deaths in the United
States (1955-1965)" and "Additional Race Related Deaths
in the United States Sept., 1965-June, 1966."
These papers are in Boxes 2 to 15. Subseries A,
arranged chronologically and alphabetically, contains
materials pertaining to SEF administrators other than
Bond. Researchers should note that much of this
correspondence consists of thank-you letters to donors
and there are miscellaneous scattered materials and
references to the SEF leadership throughout the
collection.
. It contains ca. 92 slides, 1963-1968, of persons
and events associated with the civil rights era such as
Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Nobel Peace Prize, the
March on Washington, Ku Klux Klan activities, school
integration, and black Sheriff Tom Gilmore of Greene
County, Alabama. A videotape of unidentified content is
present but researchers should note that at present the
University of Virginia Library does not possess a tape
player that will enable viewing it. The remainder of
this series' materials consist of donor index cards,
computer print-outs, and oversized accounting records.
This series (Boxes 15-16) is arranged alphabetically
and chronologically.