LONG, BEVERLY.
Beverly Long papers, 1954-2001 [BULK 1954-1964]

Emory University

Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library

Atlanta, GA 30322

404-727-6887

rose.library@emory.edu

Permanent link: http://pid.emory.edu/ark:/25593/s0z9x

Descriptive Summary

Creator: Long, Beverly.
Title: Beverly Long papers, 1954-2001 [BULK 1954-1964]
Call Number:Manuscript Collection No. 1398
Extent: 2.75 linear feet (6 boxes) and 1 oversized papers box (OP)
Abstract:Papers of activist, Beverly Long, consist of correspondence, clippings, reports, newsletters and printed material from 1954-2001, primarily relating to her work with Help Our Public Education, Inc. (H.O.P.E.).
Language:Materials entirely in English.

Administrative Information

Restrictions on Access

Unrestricted access.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

All requests subject to limitations noted in departmental policies on reproduction.

Source

Gift, 2016

Citation

[after identification of item(s)], Beverly Long papers, Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library, Emory University.

Processing

Arranged and described at the folder level by Meaghan O'Riordan, April 2017.

Collection Description

Biographical Note

Beverly (Benson) Long (1920-2015) was the president of Help Our Public Education, Inc. (H.O.P.E.), a non-profit pro-public education organization formed in Atlanta, Georgia, in December 1958 in response to the United States Supreme Court's Brown vs. the Board of Education of Topeka decision and court orders to desegregate Atlanta city schools. She earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Georgia (Athens, Georgia) in 1941, a Master of Science in Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1942, and a Master of Science in Psychology from the University of Georgia in 1959. Long was presented with an honorary doctorate from Emory University (Atlanta, Georgia) in 2007 with special recognition for her advocacy for mental health. She married Maurice Wayne Long in 1963 and had two children with him, along with two children from a previous marriage during which her name was Beverly Downing.

After the Supreme Court decision, many school systems in Georgia were considering closing as opposed to desegregating. The objective of H.O.P.E. was to prevent the closing of public schools under any circumstances. Members of the organization conducted rallies, gave speeches, led group discussions, and prepared printed materials aimed at informing the public of the danger of closing the public schools. Although established in Atlanta, it became a statewide organization with chapters in Augusta, Athens, Columbus, Gainesville, Jonesboro, Macon, Marietta, Rome, and Savannah, Georgia. The pressure created by H.O.P.E., allied organizations, and individuals caused Georgia Governor S. Ernest Vandiver to create a commission to study the issue of Georgia public schools and desegregation. The General Assembly Committee on Schools (the Sibley Commission) was headed by John Sibley (1888-1986). The “Sibley Report” recommended the elimination of laws requiring the closure of public schools, if integrated. The Sibley recommendations, along with ever increasing pressure from citizens, led to school integration in Atlanta schools in the fall of 1961. H.O.P.E. was disbanded shortly thereafter.

Scope and Content Note

The materials consist of correspondence, clippings, reports, newsletters and printed material from 1954-2001 [BULK 1954-1964], primarily relating to activist Beverly Long's work with Help Our Public Education, Inc. (H.O.P.E.), an organization focused on keeping public schools open in Georgia during integration. There is a small amount of material relating to Long's personal life, including correspondence and notes.

Arrangement Note

Arranged alphabetically by folder title. Titles in quotations reflect original folder titles written by creator.

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Container List

Box Folder Content
1 1 American Foundation for Mental Hygiene, correspondence, 1982
1 2 Athens and Atlanta Jaycees, correspondence, 1960
1 3 Athens Country Club event, notes and correspondence, 1959-1960
OP1 1 Baldowski, Clifford H. "Baldy," political cartoon reprint from the Atlanta Constitution, 1958
1 4 Ballots, undated
1 4 Ballots, undated
1 5 Business-School Resolution #2, correspondence, 1960-1961
1 6 Business-School Resolution, sponsors documentation, 1961
1 7 Clippings, 1958-1960
1 8 Clippings, 1959-1960
1 9 Clippings, 1959-1966
1 10 Clippings, 1959-1968
1 11 Committee on Schools, Richmond County, Georgia, correspondence, 1960
1 12 Correspondence, 1958-1964
1 13 Correspondence, 1959
1 14 Correspondence, 1959-1961
1 15 Correspondence, 1960
1 16 Correspondence, 1962
1 17 Correspondence, 1989-2000
2 1 Georgia Open School Conference, 1960
2 2 "Georgia Voter, Vol. XXI," and related clippings, 1961
2 3 "Georgians for Public Education, Where Do We Go From Here? -- What Can We Do?" undated
2 4 Governor S. Ernest Vandiver speech transcript, 1961
2 5 Help Our Public Education, Inc. (H.O.P.E.), 1959
2 6 Help Our Public Education, Inc. (H.O.P.E.), correspondence, 1961
2 7 Help Our Public Education, Inc. (H.O.P.E.), correspondence and notes, 1959-1960
2 8 Help Our Public Education, Inc. (H.O.P.E.), book by Paul Mertz, correspondence and draft pages, 1989-1990
2 9 Help Our Public Education, Inc. (H.O.P.E.), business resolution, correspondence and ballot, 1959-1970
2 10 Help Our Public Education, Inc. (H.O.P.E.), Clark County, Georgia, financial records, 1961
2 11 Help Our Public Education, Inc. (H.O.P.E.), clippings, 1959-1960
2 12 Help Our Public Education, Inc. (H.O.P.E.), clippings, 1959-1961
2 13 Help Our Public Education, Inc. (H.O.P.E.), correspondence, 1961
2 14 Help Our Public Education, Inc. (H.O.P.E.), correspondence to school officials and radio station, 1959
2 15 Help Our Public Education, Inc. (H.O.P.E.), incorporation papers, 1958
2 16 Help Our Public Education, Inc. (H.O.P.E.), minutes and newsletters, 1959
2 17 Help Our Public Education, Inc. (H.O.P.E.), newsletters, 1958-1961
2 18 Help Our Public Education, Inc. (H.O.P.E.), program suggestions and plans, 1960
2 19 Help Our Public Education, Inc. (H.O.P.E.), records, 1958-1960
3 1 Help Our Public Education, Inc. (H.O.P.E.) and related organizations, newsletters, minutes and promotional material, 1959-1961 (1 of 2)
3 2 Help Our Public Education, Inc. (H.O.P.E.) and related organizations, newsletters, minutes and promotional material, 1959-1961 (2 of 2)
3 3 Hunter-Gault, Charlayne, printed material, 1988-2001
3 4 Letter and program, 1961
3 5 "Letters and yes" 1960-1961
3 6 "The Longest Telegram," 1960
OP1 2 Look magazine, "Two Battles of Atlanta," cover story, 1961 April 25
3 7 Mailings and contact lists, undated
3 8 McGill, Ralph, "A Ballot from Berlin," The Atlanta Constitution, photocopy, 1961 September 27
3 9 "Meeting of the General Assembly Committee on Schools," 1960 March 7
3 10 "Meeting of the General Assembly Committee on Schools," 1960 March 10
3 11 "Meeting of the General Assembly Committee on Schools," 1960 March 14
3 12 "Meeting of the General Assembly Committee on Schools," 1960 March 16
4 1 "Meeting of the General Assembly Committee on Schools," 1960 March 17
4 2 "Meeting of the General Assembly Committee on Schools," 1960 March 21
OP1 3 Newspapers featuring Governor S. Ernest Vandiver's public school bill, 1961 January
4 3 Notes, undated
4 4 Operation Last Chance, correspondence and reports, 1960
4 5 Organizations Assisting Schools in September (OASIS), 1961
4 6 Organizations Assisting Schools in September (OASIS), Youth Advisors Conference, 1961
4 7 Petition to Governor S. Ernest Vandiver, 1961
4 8 "Polls - results," 1960
4 9 Printed material, 1959-1961 (1 of 2)
5 1 Printed material, 1959-1961 (2 of 2)
6 1 "A Resolution from: Georgia Business Community," signed cards, 1961
5 2 Resolutions, 1960
5 3 Roy v. Harris, documents and hate mail, 1959-1961 and 2000
5 4 Save Our Schools, New Orleans, Louisana, 1960
5 5 Sibley Report, 1960
5 6 "Slips authorizing the use of names for the telegram to the governor," telegrams sent to Governor Vandiver responding to school bill, 1960
5 7 Southern Regional Council, "Public Schools and Community Development, H. McKinley Conway, Jr., 1960
5 8 Sponsor requests, 1960-1961
5 9 Statements made by members of state advisory board, Help Our Public Education, Inc. (H.O.P.E.), undated
5 10 University of Georgia, ministers and students, letter and petition of support, desegregation, 1961
5 11 Virginia Committee for Public Schools, correspondence and reports, 1959
5 12 "Vote by counties on public school announcement," map, 1954
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