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AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education (COPE), Area 3 records

 Collection
Identifier: L1990-03

Scope and Content of the Records

The records of AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education, Area 3, 1964-1984, contain correspondence, field reports, news clippings, surveys, reports, memoranda, political fund-raising materials, convention materials, photographs, voting data, and partisan political materials. The majority of the collection consists of correspondence between constituents in the COPE organization, the Women's Activities Department (WAD), and their affiliates. The COPE organization was also involved with events concerning Solidarity Day, elections on all government levels, civil rights, youth voter organizations such as Frontlash, and retired union employees.

The majority of the correspondence in the collection was contributed by the following members:

  • Alexander Barkan, COPE National Director
  • John Perkins, National COPE Associate Director
  • Richard Drennan, Information Systems and Data Director
  • Clement Dowler, Area 3 Director
  • Patricia Sleeth, West Virginia WAD Director
  • Patricia Wingler, North Carolina State WAD Western Director


Previously unfoldered materials are from the office of Clement Dowler and consist of field reports, committee reports, correspondence, flyers, membership data, newsclippings, handbooks, manuals, negotiations, questionnaires, constitutions, and by-laws, much of which is related to Area 3's efforts to disseminate information about endorsed candidates, issues, and voting in the 1982 elections. Included are materials related to Florida State AFL-CIO's refusal to support Area 3's chosen candidates for election, voter registration, general administrative functions, the Women's Activities Department, and the planning of labor meetings, conventions, and workshops. Organizations and people represented in the collection include state AFL-CIO offices, political candidates, the A. Philip Randolph Institute, the Suncoast Labor Council, the Retired Union Employees of America, ERA proponents 1975, and the National Council of Senior Citizens.

Dates

  • Creation: 1962-1984

Creator

Restrictions on Access

Collection is open for research use.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Georgia State University is the owner of the physical collection and makes reproductions available for research, subject to the copyright law of the United States and item condition. Georgia State University may or may not own the rights to materials in the collection. It is the researcher's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and obtain permission from the copyright holder before publication, reproduction, or display of the materials beyond what is reasonable under copyright law. Researchers may quote selections from the collection under the fair use provision of copyright law.

Collection is stored offsite. Allow at least 2 working days for retrieval.

History of AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education (COPE), Area 3

AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education (COPE) Area 3 comprised Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, and West Virginia. COPE's main purpose was to solicit and encourage voting and voter registration, especially among women, minority, senior citizen, and youth voters.

Extent

16.25 Linear Feet (in 13 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract:

AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education (COPE) Area 3 comprised Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, and West Virginia. COPE’s main purpose was to solicit and encourage voting and voter registration, especially among women, minority, senior citizen and youth voters. The records of AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education, Area 3, 1964-1984, contain correspondence, field reports, news clippings, surveys, reports, memoranda, political fund-raising materials, convention materials, photographs, voting data, and political propaganda. Correspondence between constituents in the COPE organization, the Women's Activities Department, and their affiliates makes up the majority of the collection.

Arrangement

The records retain their original order.

Off Site Storage

Collection is stored offsite. Allow at least 2 working days for retrieval.

Acquisition Information

Records donated by Clement Dowler, February 1990.

Related Archival Materials

The Southern Labor Archives holds numerous AFL-CIO collections. These collections include State level organizations (Virginia State AFL-CIO, Mississippi AFL-CIO, Florida State AFL-CIO, Georgia State AFL-CIO, South Carolina State AFL-CIO, and North Carolina State AFL-CIO). In addition, the SLA has a number of regional office collections (the designations and locations have changed over time) including: AFL-CIO. Region 5, AFL-CIO. Region 6, AFL-CIO. Region 8 (Knoxville, Tenn.), and AFL-CIO. Region 10 (Nashville, Tenn.) as well as the AFL-CIO. Civil Rights Department. Contact Special Collections for more information.

Processing Information

Processed by Lydia Diaz at the file level, September 2010. Folder titles and organization was retained from original order. Some material was foldered and described as needed.

Title
AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education (COPE), Area 3:
Subtitle
A Guide to Its Records at Georgia State University Library
Status
Completed
Author
Lydia Diaz
Date
September 27, 2010
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Repository

Contact:
100 Decatur St., S.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
404-413-2880
404-413-2881 (Fax)