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Mary Alice Williams papers

 Collection
Identifier: Collection 456

Scope and Contents

The collection contains various materials including federal pamphlets regarding home disaster/nuclear fallout preparedness, a photograph of Gerald Ford, a copy of the Grand Rappin' publication (November 1995), press clippings pertaining to the history of Grand Rapids, instructions for creating a family history, and two awards of appreciation from Arbor Circle and the Chicago, Duluth & Georgian Bay Transit Company. Also included in this collection are records of Mary Alice Williams's research and efforts to induct Joan Luedders Wolfe into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame, mostly research in the form of press clippings. There is also information pertaining to women's suffrage in Michigan including a publications from the Greater Grand Rapids Women's History Council and Grand River Valley History magazine.

Dates

  • 1959 - 1993

Biographical

Wisconsin, Williams joined Students United for Racial Equality and began protesting for open housing. She moved to Grand Rapids in 1974 with her husband and two daughters. She became involved in the Eastown Community Association which fought discriminatory banking practices that resulted in the redlining of neighborhoods. After facing political roadblocks to change, she ran as a write in candidate for the Grand Rapids City Commission where she served one term. Williams was president and CEO of Arbor Circle as well as the Nokomis Foundation. She now devotes herself to promoting equal access to healthcare, women's health issues, community and grassroots activism and the election of local progressive candidates

Extent

.25 Linear Feet (One Box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Mary Alice Williams, a Grand Rapids, Mich. political activist and community organizer, created this collection while conducting research on Grand Rapids area history and women's history in Western Michigan. The materials consists of press clippings, articles, pamphlets, and Grand Rapids publications. Also included are various materials regarding home disaster preparedness during the cold war, photographs, press clippings, certificates of achievement, and other assorted materials.

Condition Description

Good

Title
Finding Aid for the Mary Alice Williams Collection
Status
Completed
Author
Colleen A. Marquis
Date
November 23, 2016
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Grand Rapids History Center Repository

Contact:
Grand Rapids Public Library
111 Library Street NE
Grand Rapids Michigan 49503 USA
616-988-5497