Biography
Clarence L. Williams was born on march 28, 1938, in Atlanta, Georgia. A graduate of Booker T. Washigton High, Williams joined Ford Motor Company in 1963 and immediately became active in Local 882 of the United Auto Workers (UAW). In 1969, Williams began work as an organizer for the Alliance for Labor Action (ALA), a position he maintained until the dissolution of the ALA in 1973. From 1974-1976, Williams served as Vice President of Local 882, the first African American to hold that position. Then in 1979 Williams was invited to join the International Staff of the UAW; in 1990 he was appointed as area director of the Atlanta Sub-Regional Office of Region 8 of the UAW. Williams' final position was Vice President of the Georgia AFL-CIO, a position he held from 1999 until 2004 when he retired.
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
Item — Othertype Oral History: Series Series A: ; Series Series B:; Series Series C: ; Series Series D: ; Series Series E: ; Series Series F: ; Series Series G: ; Series Series H: ; Series Series I: ; Series Series J: ; Series Series K: ; Series Series L: ; Series Series M: ; Series Series N: ; Series Series P: ; Series Series Q: ; Series Series R: ; Series I; Series II; Series III; Series IV; Series L2006-08; Series L2005-23; Series L2008-07
Identifier: L2005-05_WilliamsClarence
Scope and Contents
Interviewed by Andrew Reisinger: Clarence L. Williams discusses growing up in northwest Atlanta and recounts his experiences as an African American growing up in the city during the 1940s and 1950s. He also details his parents careers, including his mother's work as a domestic and employee at Bell Bomber during World War II and his step-father's work at Puget Sound Ship Yard and Merita Bakery; both of his parents were active union members. Williams goes on to recount the many jobs he worked...
Dates:
January 21, 2005
