Georgia Davis Powers papers
Abstract
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Georgia Davis Powers papers
- Creator
- Powers, Georgia Davis
- Extent
- 9.45 Cubic Feet
- Subjects
- African American women -- Kentucky
- Public policy and politics
- Arrangement
- Collection is arranged by format.
- Preferred Citation
- 2011ms024: [identification of item], Georgia Davis Powers papers, 1949-2012, undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- State senator and civil rights leader, Georgia Davis Powers (1923-2016), was born Georgia Montgomery in Springfield, Kentucky, and raised in Louisville. She became involved in politics and the civil rights movement in 1962 working on numerous political campaigns including Wilson Wyatt's senate campaign and Edward T. "Ned" Breathitt's successful gubenatorial campaign. In 1964 she worked for the Allied Organization for Civil Rights and helped organize a demonstration in Frankfort in support of a public accomodations bill. This demonstration, called the March on Frankfort, included Dr. Martin Luther King and Jackie Robinson. From 1968 until 1989, she served in the Kentucky State Senate as the first African-American and first female senator in Kentucky. During her career in the Kentucky senate, she supported legislation for civil rights, fair housing, and anti-discrimination laws.
- Following her retirement, she remained an active supporter of human equality, founding both the Friends of Nursing Home Residents (FONHRI) and Quality Education for All Students (QUEST).
- She wrote several books including her autobiography I Shared the Dream and Celia's land.
- Sources:
- Gerth, Joseph. Civil rights leader Georgia Powers dies at 92. Courier-Journal, January 30, 2016. Accessed September 2, 2016. http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2016/01/30/civil-rights-leader-georgia-powers-dies-92/79529572/
- Scope and Content
- The Georgia Davis Powers papers (1949-2012, undated; 9.45 cubic feet; 14 document cases, 3 record storage carton, and 4 flat boxes) comprises scrapbooks, subject files, correspondence, speeches, notepads, manuscripts, photographs, audiocassettes, video tapes, and publications releating to Georgia Davis Powers' political career and social activism. The collection includes four large scrapbooks and loose scrapbook pages chronicling her political career and social advocacy in Louisville, Kentucky, as well as related documents related to her defense of civil rights, particularly through the Louisville Branch of the NAACP. The collection contains her writings, speeches, and notes including manuscripts, drafts, and research materials for her publications Celia's Land and The Adventures of the Book Revelation, A Bible Prophecy. The notepads (1995-2011) chronicle her daily activities and thoughts. Additionally, the collection contains her personal and professional correspondence, subject files, and documents pertaining to honors and awards. The audiovisual material includes audiocassettes and video tapes related to Georgia Davis Powers' family life, civil rights, social activism, politics, and religion. The photographs depict undated and unidentified subjects.
- Includes a book written by Dr. Anne Onyekwuluje from Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Ky., entitled Georgia Powers.
Restrictions on Access and Use
- Conditions Governing Access
- Conditions Governing Access Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
- Use Restrictions
- The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Contents of the Collection
Audiocassettes, 1986-2004
10-25-02 GMP-BBC , 2002 October 25
March on Frankfort 3-3-04 , 2004 March 3
Arise, O' God, undated
Arise, O' God Nicky's Camp Speech, undated
Black Defenders of U.S. Constitution, 1987 February 19
Black History Service, 1992 February 12-14
Blacks in Lexington Tape 1-3, University of Kentucky Oral History Project, 1987 June 17
Black Woman's Pol. Or. Practice tapes, 1984 December 17
Brandon Davis, Tuesday, 2003 April 22
C.L. Franklin, Aretha side A only, undated
Conversation with Mom, Cleveland, Jem, Georgia, 1986 May 27
Conversaton with Nicky, Lamont, Grandmother, 1973
Conversation Pop, Jay, Georgia, Mom, 1977
Conversation Pop, Mell, Jem, Georgia at home, 1981
Double take- Don't Take your Spirit, undated
Family Worship Center: Faith Clinic Sister Georgia Powers, 1991 January 9
Family Worship Center: Singing and preaching wonderful and higher, 1991 December 8
Family Worship Center: Sister Georgia birthday reception, 1985 October 25
Georgia Powers and Nickey in conversation, 1985
Halloween party, 1981 October 31
Hill, Reverend Hill, 2003 March 22
Hill, Reverend Hill sermon, 2003 April 12
Jay, Mom, Pop, Georgia Powers, 1978
Jas Orange at Lion Baptist, 2002 April 4
Man to be remembered- Martin Luther King Jr., 2003 January 20
Margaret Blouin in concert at Baptist Pentecostal, 1987 February 8
Mom's birthday party, 1986 May 30
New Sunny Mount Baptist Church, undated
Nicky's introduction of Georgia Powers at YWCA Awards Banquet, 1989
Pop, 1982 January 6
Pop Ancestry- Ben Montgomery, 1983
Pop, Mom, Jay, 1978
Pop and Mell conversation, 1981 November 2
Pop and Mell, 1981 December 27
QUEST, 1991 November 24
Reverend Ralph David Abernathy for Georiga Powers' re-election, 1979 February 25
Revival in the Land of Carman, undated
Sandi Patti, undated
Sandi Patti: Hymns just for you, undated
Second Street Mary? Ann, 2003 March 30
Senator Georgia Davis Powers Family Worship Center, undated
Speech at Central High Reunion, 1990 September 1
Speech Georgia Powers YWCA, 1988 October 6
Still Under Construction, Dr. Wesley Pitts, 2002 April 7
TARC Summaries, undated
University of Kentucky Oral History Program Voices from the Collection, undated
Women's Equality Day, 2009 August 23
Unlabeled, undated
Biographical, 1989-2012, undated
FBI Records Request Report on Georgia Davis Powers, 1989
News and magazine articles about Georgia Davis Powers, 1990
Clippings, 2005-2010, undated
King Leruo Molotlegi, Royal Bafoking Nation, narrative of meeting with Georgia Davis Powers, 2008
Talent agreement with Preservation Films, 2008
Writings by Anne Onyekwuluje, 2008, undated
- Box 1, folder 8-11
Georgia Powers: A Sociopolitical Feminist History, 1967-1986 (3 folders) , 2008
Georgia Davis Powers and Harriet Martineau: An Invitation to a 'bluestocking party,' Celebrating the Sociohistorical Visions of These Akin Feminists, expository essay, undated
Biographical narratives and vita, undated
Interview with Georgia Davis Powers, typed transcript, undated
Kentucky Senate bills initiated by Georgia Davis Powers, lists, undated
Life events narrative, handwritten, loose pages, undated
Obituary and funeral requests by Georgia Davis Powers, undated
Quotes about Georgia Davis Powers by Kentucky Governors , undated
Georgia Davis Powers Biography, VITA, undated
Calendars, 2009-2012
Correspondence, 1975-2012, undated
Letters from U.S. Presidents, Governors, and First Ladies, 1975-1993
Incoming cards/letters, professional, 1978-2010, undated
Incoming letters/cards, personal, 2005-2010, undated
Outgoing letters from Georgia Davis Powers, 1991-2010
Name and address lists, loose pages, 2003, undated
Congratulations letters, 2005, 2010
Correspondence with Inez Gillings, 2001
Draft outgoing letter, undated
Get well cards, 2012 June 13
Personal letters, 1988-2011
Professional letters, 1993, 2010-2012
Thank you and Congratulations cards, undated
Honors and awards, 1983-2010
Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial Drum Major for Justice Awards, event program, 1983
Interdenominational Ministerial Coalition's W.J. Hodge Leadership Award, 2008
Kentucky Commission on Human Rights Advoccacy Hearing, I'm Still Standing, honoring Georgia Davis Powers, 2009
Distinguished Citizen Award, 2010
- Box 2, folder 4
Georgia Davis Powers Expressway, 2010
- Box 2, folder 5
Kentucky Commission on Human Rights 50th Anniversary Celebration, recognition of Georgia Davis Powers, 2010
Notepads, 1995-2011, undated
1995-1996
1998
1999-2000
2000
2001
2001-2002
2003
2003-2004
2004-2005
2005
2007-2008
2009
2010
2011
undated
Loose pages, undated
Photographs and ephemera, 1949-2009, undated
Prints, 1949-1950, undated
Print of Raoul Cunningham (8x10), 2006
Ephemera, 1979-2009, undated
Georgia Davis Powers cereal box, undated
Publications, 2000-2012
Louisville Branch NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet program, 2000-2012
Louisville Branch NAACP, 2009-2012
Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame, 2003 July 29
Parkland on Display, Maupin Elementary, 2011 March
University Press of Kentucky history book catalog, 2006-2007
Scrapbooks, 1962-2010, undated
Binders, 1962-2009
1962-1976
1972-1982
1983-1988
1989-2009
Social and political activism, 1984-2010, undated
Hughes McGill, Georgia M. Davis, Mae Street Kidd Civil Rights Act of 1968, SB284, description, undated
Incident involving police brutality and an African-American woman, Louisville, Ky., written by Georgia Davis Powers, 2004
Jesse Jackson Presidential Campaign, Kentucky campaign fundraiser program, 1984
Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, 50th Anniversary Luncheon program, undated
Kentucky Commission on Women, 90th Anniversary Celebration of Votes for Women, 2010, undated
Kentucky Council of Churches, Report on Racism in the U.S. and Kentucky, 2006
Memorial service program for Edward T. Ned Breathitt, 2003
Parents of Non-Violent Felons, Inc., activist group, undated
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), 2003-2010, undated
Article by Julian Bond for the 2008 NAACP Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio, 2008
Louisville branch, 2003-2010, undated
Annual Freedom Fund Gala/Banquet, 2003-2010
Papers pertaining to guest speaker, 2003
Correspondence, 2007
Organizing notes, notepad, 2006
Sample letter for soliciting ticket sales, 2006
Organizing notes, loose pages, 2008
Financial Statement, 2009
Banquet Program, 2010
Newspaper articles with editing notes by Georgia Davis Powers, 2006-2009
Annual Scholarship Award Program, 2006-2007
Armed Services and Veteran's Affairs Committee meeting minutes, 2009
Film on Friday, Veteran's Event, 2010
General meeting minutes, financial report, member rosters, 2006-2010
Georgia M. Powers Scholarship Fund, 2007-2009
Open Records Request of Kentucky State Government re: affirmative action, undated
Operation Equal Justice, 2005-2006
Records request documentation to Jefferson County Schools re: funds allocation and desegregation, 2009-2010, undated
Restoration of Civil Rights to Former Convicted Felons in Kentucky, 2005-2007
White Paper on Jefferson County Schools Student Assignment Plan, 2010
Materials from NAACP National Convention, 2010
Northern Kentucky Branch, Annual Freedom Fund Gala documents, 2005
Posters with brief biography of Georgia Powers, located with NAACP materials, undated
Subject files, 1964-2011, undated
African-American Women Suffragists/Activists, 2010, undated
Abortion-notes on House bills, undated
Allied Organization for Civil Rights (AOCR) 1964 March on Frankfort, 1964-2007
Black history and The African Diaspora in the Americas (map), 1992, undated
Black Women's Culture of Resistance and the Right to Vote,book chapter, circa 1997
Christian Church history, undated
Civil Rights Project Report, 2007
Clippings, 2003-2011, undated
The Eruption of Tulsa, loose pages from a book, undated
Federal Voting Rights Laws, 2006
Furniture and interior design, 19th and early 20th century, notes, undated
Hazel Scott: A Career Curtailed, booklet by Dwayne Mack, 2006
Health and nutrition, 2000-2008, undated
Joint Legislative Committee on Un-American Activities, letter to the Kentucky Senate from Dr. Gene L. Mason, undated
Martin Luther King, Jr., 1997
Miscellaneous notes, 2006-2007
Open Housing Report and History by the Metropolitan Housing Coalition, Louisville, Ky., undated
Pastors of Louisville, Ky. Black churches, names and addresses, undated
Poor People's Campaign history, 2007
Prose, Poetry, Sermon, 1989, undated
Racial Disparities in High School Completion Rates, 2006
Racial Fairness in Sentencing: A Case Study of Select Crimes in Jefferson County, report and news articles, 2004-2005
Saint Petersburg, Fla., Sanitation Workers Strike, writings and photocopies of news articles, 1968
Selma to Montgomery, Ala., March, 2005
Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, testimony by Clifford L. Alexander, 1991
The Six Black U.S. Presidents , undated
Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Trail, Kentucky House Joint Resolution no. 157, 2010
Westover Subdivision, Louisville, Ky., history, undated
Subject files from John Johnson, undated
Video tapes, 1984-2007, undated
African American Civil War Ball, 1998
African American History Month, Georgia Powers, 1998 February 2
Aretha Franklin, undated
The Arsenio Hall Show, 1990 January 15
Biographies: Josephine Baker, Billy Holiday, Alberta Hunter, Cotton Club revisited, undated
Black Wallstreet, 1991
Brown Sugar, 1985-1986
Cancer Commercial WAKE-TV, 1987 February
Carolyn Rogers' Funeral, 1991 November 17
Connections with Renee Shaw no. 103, 2005 November
A Conversation on Race, 1997 August 19
Democratic National Convention, 1984 July 16-19
EEOC Conference: Georgia Powers honored, 1988 September 22
Eyes on the Prize, 1993 January 19
Family Worship Center: Praising the Lord in Songs, undated
Forty Years of Open Housing: the Louisville Experience, DVD, 2007 October 2
Forum of Protest to End Busing, 1991 October 3
Franklin Circuit Court, Commonwealth vs Ronald Anthony Brown, 1993 January 25
Frederick Douglas Birthday Celebration, 2003 February 14
Georgia Powers Toast Roast, 1984 September 27
Hollyfield: Foreman Fight, 1991 April 19
Kentucky Commission on Human Rights Fortieth Anniversary Video, 2000 June
Kentucky Tonight 10/17, undated
Kentucky Women of the Year Awards Banquet, 1991
KET Interview Smith, 1994 October 14
King: Montgomery to Memphis 1955-1968, undated
Living the Story: the Rest of the Story Featuring Georgia Davis Powers, 2003 January
Louisville Forum, 1999 June 9
Louisville Tonight Live Senator Georgia Powers, 1999 May 27
Mandela: the Man, undated
Martin Luther King Jr. A&E Biography, 1997
Martin Luther King Jr., 1987 January
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Ceremony, 1987 January 19
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Post Office Dedication Ceremony, 1988 June 12
Mobilize to Manifest the Mission, NAACP, 2003
Montgomery Family Reunion, 1988 July 16
NAACP Awards Fox 41, undated
Nightline: Koppel Report Mandela, unopened, undated
O. J. Simpson Preliminary Hearing I, 1994 June 30
O. J. Simpson Preliminary Hearing II, 1994 June 30
O. J. Simpson Preliminary Hearing III, 1994 July 1
Olympic Exhibition Chapter 32, undated
Outlook no. 6018 Race Relations, 2006 February 22
Pastor's Conference: Raoul Cunningham Conducting, 1991 February 14-15
Pastor Frankling S. Hill III: Calvary, God's Redemption Center, undated
Pine Forge Academy Choir: Always Remember, undated
Powers Interview, 1988 October 28
Powers Interview by Wade Hall, 1996 September 25
Powers Interview University of Louisville, 1998 August 8
Powers Home Movies: 1968 Democratic National Convention Speech, 1988 October
Powers sixty-fifth birthday and retirement tribute, 1988 October 28
Powers YMCA Black Achievers, 1989 February
President's Inauguration: Bill Clinton, 1993 January 22
Santa Maria B.R.A.G.'s 18th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration, 2003 January 19
Secrets of Leadership Martin Luther King Jr., undated
Senator Dr. Georgia M. Powers Sermon-Sabbath, 2003 January 18
Studio Footage: Senator Georgia Powers with Melissa Swan and Raoul Cunningham, 1988 August 11
Tavis Smiley Presents: State of the Black Family, undated
WDRB-TV Fox 41 Don Schroeder, Georgia Powers, undated
What happened to the 364th, the Slaughter, undated
WLEX-TV Your Government, 1995 February 12
WLKY Fund for Women, undated
Women of Kentucky: Our Legacy, Our Future, 2000
YWCA Presentation, 1989 June 22
1988 Session Speeches, 1988
Unlabeled, undated
Writings and speeches, 1968-2011, undated
Assorted writings, 1992-2006, undated
Bible verses and thoughts, loose pages, 2006, undated
The Historical Louisville Branch, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People , 2002-2009
Narrative entitled Moses the Orator, notepad, 1992
- Box 8, folder 26
Books, 1992-2004, undated
The Blessed Five, narrative, loose pages, undated
- Box 8, folder 27
The Adventures of the Book of Revelation, A Bible Prophecy
Celia's Land , 1997-2004, undated
Drafts and partial copies, undated
Manuscript copy, undated
Manuscript draft 1.2, 1999
Narrative description, undated
Original manuscript, foreword and other writings, 1996
Papers related to publication, 2004, undated
Research materials, photocopies, 1997, undated
Editing notes, probably for books, 1992-2008
Flyers advertising Georgia Davis Powers' books, undated
I Shared the Dream , 1994, undated
Comments about Georgia Davis Powers related to her autobiography, 1994, undated
- Box 10, folder 4
Correspondence, 1994, undated
Notes, 1994, undated
Lorraine Hotel room 201 and environs, pencil diagram, undated
- Box 10, folder 6
Eulogies/tributes, 1998-2011
Speeches, 1968-2010 and undated
UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open by appointment only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Materials must be requested at least 5 days before your appointment.
Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.
Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.
Table of Contents
- Abstract
- Descriptive Summary
- Collection Overview
- Preferred Citation
- Restrictions on Access and Use
- Contents of the Collection
- Audiocassettes, 1986-2004
- Biographical, 1989-2012, undated
- Correspondence, 1975-2012, undated
- Honors and awards, 1983-2010
- Notepads, 1995-2011, undated
- Photographs and ephemera, 1949-2009, undated
- Publications, 2000-2012
- Scrapbooks, 1962-2010, undated
- Social and political activism, 1984-2010, undated
- Subject files, 1964-2011, undated
- Video tapes, 1984-2007, undated
- Writings and speeches, 1968-2011, undated
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open by appointment only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Materials must be requested at least 5 days before your appointment.
Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.
Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.
Requests
No items have been requested.
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.