Melba R. Williams Papers, 1954-1994
31 boxes, 17 linear ft.

Administrative Information

- Access Restrictions
- User Restrictions
- Processing Notes
- Copyright Information
- Preferred Citation

Biographical Note

Scope and Content

Home

Organization and Arrangement

Related Collections

- In Russell Library
- In other repositories

Series Descriptions

Access Points

Folder List

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Access Restrictions:

User Restrictions: Library acts as “fair use” reproduction agent.

Processing Notes: Newspaper clippings and thermofax papers have been copied onto bond paper for protection of content. Oversized materials and photographs have been separated for preservation purposes.

Copyright Information: Before material from collections at the Richard B. Russell Library may be quoted in print, or otherwise reproduced, in whole or in part, in any publication, permission must be obtained from (1) the owner of the physical property, and (2) the holder of the copyright. It is the particular responsibility of the researcher to obtain both sets of permission. Persons wishing to quote from materials in the Russell Library collection should consult the Director. Reproduction of any item must contain a complete citation to the original.

Preferred Citation: Melba R. Williams Papers, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, The University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia.

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BIOGRAPHICAL/HISTORICAL NOTE:

Melba R. Williams was born in Cullman, Alabama. She earned a BS at Alabama College in 1942 and completed graduate work in public administration at the University of North Carolina. Williams became the personnel officer and research associate for the Tennessee Valley Authority from 1944 to 1946. She was a teacher in DeKalb County, Georgia from 1949 to 1950, a researcher, Atlanta Area Metropolitan Planning Commission from 1961 to 1962; and a consultant to the Georgia Secretary of State from 1967 to 1968. From 1968 to 1969, Williams was a conference coordinator for the Institute of Government at the University of Georgia. For the Georgia Municipal Association from 1970 to 1976, she was a personnel consultant. She would become president of the Melba Williams Association, Inc. from 1977 until her retirement in 1991.

An active member of the Democratic Party since 1958, Williams held positions on both the local, state and national level including: precinct vice-chairman of the Montgomery County Democratic Committee, 1958-59; vice-chairman and secretary of the DeKalb County Democratic Executive Committee, 1962-68; member of the Georgia State Democratic Committee, 1962-79 and 1975 to the mid 1990's; delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1964, 1968, 1980, 1984, 1988 and 1992; member of the Georgia Commission on Status of Women 1964-71; vice-chairman and member of the Georgia State Elections Board, 1964-1976; vice-chairman of the Clarke County Democratic Executive Committee, 1970-74, and chairman from 1988 to the mid 1990's; finance chairman of the Tenth District Democratic Organization, 1971-76; committeewoman for the Democratic National Committee, 1976-88; member of the Resolutions Committee, 1976-1980, the ERA Advisory Committee, 1983-85 and the Rules Committee, 1986-88; and a member of the Governor's Advisory Committee on Small and Minority Business Development, 1983-1990.

Williams showed a continuing interest in women's issues, both state and national. She was a member of the Equal Rights Amendment Advisory Committee from 1983 to 1985, as well as a member of the Georgia Commission of the Status of Women from 1964 to 1971.

Melba Williams died on September 18, 2005. She was preceded in death in 2001 by her husband of 57 years, Harry B. Williams, Jr. They had two sons, Randolph and Bixler.

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SCOPE AND CONTENT:

The collection consists of the papers of Melba Williams from 1954-1994 and includes newspaper clippings, event programs, speeches, correspondence, reports, printed materials, transcripts, and photographs. Topics covered include Clarke and DeKalb County politics, local and national campaigns, the 1988 Democratic national convention, women's issues, and Bork's nomination for the Supreme Court.

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ORGANIZATION AND ARRANGEMENT

The collection is divided into five series: I. Democratic Party (State and Local), II. General, III. State Elections Board, IV. Election Publications, and V. Democratic National Committee.

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RELATED COLLECTIONS IN THIS REPOSITORY:

Democratic Party of Georgia Records
Athens League of Women's Voters papers

Maxine S. Goldstein Papers
James Peters Executive Secretary Papers
Tyrone Brooks vs. Board of Elections
Joe Frank Harris Papers
George Busbee Papers

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RELATED COLLECTIONS IN OTHER REPOSITORIES:

Georgia League of Women Voters, Georgia Archives
Donna Novak Coles Georgia Women's Movement Archives, Womens Collections, Georgia State University

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SERIES DESCRIPTIONS:

I. Democratic Party Organizations in Georgia, 1964-1967
6 boxes, 3 linear feet

Materials in this series were generated during Williams' activities with Democratic Party organizations on the state and local and national levels, with the exception of the Democratic National Committee (see series V.). Files include news clippings, correspondence, materials on intra-party organization, elections, and meetings as well as documents relating to campaigns and activities undertaken by these organizations. Files also include personal records, such as expense notations, appointment calendars and correspondence documenting Williams' activities with these groups.

A. Democratic Party of DeKalb
These documents were generated during Williams' activities with the Democratic Party of DeKalb County. They include documents relating to intra-party workings, such as the DeKalb Democrats' constitution, party rules and by-laws as well as materials from Williams' service on the DeKalb Democratic Executive Committee (1962-1968).

B. Clarke County Democratic Committee
These documents reflect Williams' activities with the Clarke County Democratic Committee during 1976 and 1985-1986.

C. Democratic Party of Georgia
Documents in this series largely originate from Williams' activities as a member of the State Executive Committee of the Democratic Party of Georgia. Other files include party rules and state convention proceedings.

D. 46th Senatorial District Caucus and Convention
These materials are from the 46th Senatorial District's Caucus and Convention held on December 6, 1986.

E. Georgia Federation of Democratic Women
These materials were generated during Williams' activities with the Georgia Federation of Democratic Women.

F. Georgia Democratic Women's Conference
Files consist of notes from the October 14-15, 1965 and 1967 Georgia Democratic Women's Conferences.

G. Georgia Women's Democratic Club
These are notes and organizational materials from the Georgia Women's Democratic Club.

H. 10th District Democratic Committee
These materials were generated from 1974 to 1975.

I. Women's Democratic Conference
This folder contains materials from Williams' membership in the Georgia delegation to the 1966 Campaign Conference for Democratic Women. The Conference was held in Washington, DC.

II. General, 1962-1994
10 boxes, 4.5 linear feet

This series reflects the wide range of Williams' political interests and activities. Files include materials from Williams' work with the campaigns of various candidates for public office, her work on behalf of state committees and advisory boards, her participation in various workshops and conferences, and advocacy relating to issues of particular relevance to women, including the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment.

A. Campaigns
This subseries consists of materials from Williams' work in supporting the campaigns of state and national Democratic candidates, including: Lyndon Johnson, George McGovern, Carl Sanders, and George T. Smith. Much of Williams' involvement specifically related to mobilizing women to support these candidates.

B. Clippings
These are newspaper clippings relating to various campaigns, party activities, and organizations in which Williams participated, dating from 1962 to 1969.

C. Commission on the Status of Women
These documents originate from Williams' work with the Georgia Commission on the Status of Women (1964-1971). They include Annual Reports to the Georgia General Assembly, bills passed by the General Assembly, national and state reports, and newspaper clippings.

D. Congressional Veto Bill-Elliot Levitas
Materials relating to the 1978 Congressional Veto Bill.

E. Economic Development Advisory Committee
Materials from Williams' involvment with the Economic Development Advisory Committee.

F. Equal Rights Amendment
Files include material from Williams' participation in efforts to have ERA ratified.

G. Georgia Federation of Women's Clubs
These documents largely consist of the legislative efforts of the Georgia Federation of Women's Clubs.

H. Georgia General Assembly
These are proposed bills and clippings relating to the actions of the Georgia General Assembly.

I. Georgia Federation of Democratic Women
Files relate to Williams' activities with the Georgia Federation of Democratic Women.

J. Georgia Municipal Association
This subseries includes legislative efforts of the GMA, publications, and legislation affecting municipal government.

K. Georgia Officials
These are telephone directories listing Georgia State officials.

L. Georgia Women's Political Caucus
This consists of information relating to women's changing social position, including the Department of Labor statistics and materials on women's position in the workforce.

M. Georgians for SALT II
Materials relate to Williams' involvement with Georgians for SALT II, an organization advocating for the ratification of the second Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty.

N. League of Women Voters
These are materials prepared by the League of Women Voters, including directories and brochures, information on GA political parties, and The National Voter, a magazine published by the League of Women Voters.

O. Majority Vote Case
This subseries consists of materials relating to a 1990 lawsuit brought in US District Court, Tyrone Brooks et al. V. Joe Frank Harris et al, defendants, alleging that Georgia's majority vote requirement was intentionally designed to dilute minority vote strength. Materials include briefs, Judge's orders, clippings, correspondence, and transcripts of the testimony of former Governor Carl Sanders and Milton A. Carlton, Sr.

P. National Federation of Democratic Women
These files consist of publications of the National Federation of Democratic Women, Charter and By-Laws of the NFDW, and materials from the April 11-12, 1979 NFDW convention held in Seattle.

Q. Personal
These are records of expenses Williams' incurred through her professional activities, appointment calendars, personal correspondence, and documents relating to her work as a researcher at Emory and other facilities.

R. Photos
These photographs document a variety of Williams' political activities over a range of years, including reception of awards, political campaigns, and visits to the White House.

S. Professional Development
This subseries consists of materials generated during Williams' participation in various workshops for public personnel, state and municipal officials, and election officials. Williams' took part as an organizer, speaker, or panelist in many of these conferences and workshops, some of which she organized while acting as conference coordinator at the University of Georgia Institute of Government (1968-1969). Records are arranged chronologically.

T. Speeches
These files consist of speeches and notes from presentations given by Williams at a variety of meetings and conventions.

U. Marge Thurman
Profile of Marge Thurman, State Chairwoman of the Democratic Party from 1974 to 1982.

V. White House Conference on Small Business
Materials from the White House Conference on Small Business held in August, 1980.

W. White House Fellowships
1977 Information and Application packet for the White House Fellowships program. White House Fellows served as special assistants to cabinet officers and other White House Officials.

X. Women's Issues
These materials include information on abortion, ERA, women in the Carter administration, the Democratic Party, and a host of other issues relating to women in politics, the workplace, and at home. Documents include newsletters, pamphlets and other publications, and clippings.

III. State Elections Board, 1954-1979
6 boxes, 3 linear feet

Documents in this series were generated during Williams' service as a member of the Georgia State Elections Board. Williams was first appointed to the Georgia State Elections Board in 1964, where she served in a variety of capacities, including as vice-president, until 1976.

A. Clippings and Correspondence
These are newspaper clippings and correspondence relating to the State Elections Board dating from 1966 to 1974.

B. Challenges
These are files relating to court challenges made to Georgia election laws and any subsequent changes mandated by judicial decisions.

C. Districts
This subseries includes maps of Georgia congressional and General Assembly districts, as well as materials related to reapportionment and redistricting.

D. Election Law
These files include clippings, transcripts of seminars on Georgia Election Code, and materials relating to the Election Laws Study Committee.

E. Election Procedures
This subseries includes materials relating to balloting procedures. Files include absentee ballot applications, sample election forms, materials and statistics on voter registration, and reports on the use of Votomatics.

F. Election Results
Official and unofficial tabulations of various national, state, and local elections, including: 1962 general election, 1968 Long County special election, 1972 General Primary, 1972 General Election results, Georgia General Assembly 1973-1974, and the 1972 Taliaferro Primary. Records are arranged chronologically.

G. Elections, Municipal
Files relate to Georgia Municipal Election Code for 1968, 1969, and 1971-1974.

H. General Assembly
This subseries consists of reports of the State Elections Board to the General Assembly and legislative changes to the Georgia election code. Legislation is arranged chronologically.

I. Procedural
These files consist of Williams' Senate appointments (1967 and 1973-1974) to State Elections Board, her letter of resignation when she left to work on Carl Sanders' campaign for governor (1970), and meetings and agenda items from 1973.

J. Voting Rights Act of 1965
These files concern the Federal Voting Rights Act of 1965.

IV. Election Publications, 1964-1986
4 boxes, 2 linear feet

This series consists of books of municipal and state Georgia Election Codes, handbooks on the conduct of elections, and guides and informational pamphlets instructing voters and candidates on election law and voting procedure.

A. Georgia Election Codes
These files consist of copies of the Georgia Election Codes, with amendments and corrections, from 1964 to 1986.

B. Georgia Municipal Election Codes
These files consist of copies of the Georgia Municipal Election Code, with amendments, from 1968 to 1971. Also includes 1969 Directory of Georgia Municipal Officials.

C. Election Handbooks
Documents include Handbooks for use in Paper Ballot Districts (1968-1972), and 1969 Handbook for Georgia Voter Registrars.

D. Miscellaneous Election Bulletins
Files include instructions to voters, 1964 State Election Board Seminar transcript, compilations of the Georgia State Constitution, publications of the Georgia Federation of Women's Clubs, materials relating to the Georgia General Assembly, and information on qualifications and disqualifications for holding elected office in Georgia.

V. Democratic National Committee, 1976-1988
5 boxes, 2.5 linear feet

This series consists of documents generated during Williams' activities with the Democratic National Committee, including her attendance at conventions and meetings and her campaign to become a Democratic National Committeewoman.

A. Business and Professional Caucus
Correspondence relating to the DNC Business and Professional Caucus from 1981 and 1985.

B. Correspondence
Documents consist of Williams' correspondence relating to the affairs of the DNC.

C. Conventions
Files contain materials from 1976, 1982, and 1988 Democratic National Conventions. Includes reports of Rules and Fairness committees as well as information on delegate selection and materials from meetings of the Georgia 1988 Convention delegation.

D. Democratic House and Senate Council
Materials from the 1979 Democratic House and Senate Council.

E. Democratic Party Commission
Materials from the 1986 Democratic Party Commission.

F. Kennedy Calendar/ Bork Nomination
Documents include 1986 calendar published by the DNC and material relating to opposition to the 1987 nomination of Robert Bork to the Supreme Court.

G. Meetings
Documents include minutes, agenda items, and correspondence relating to various Democratic National Committee meetings from 1976 to 1987.

H. MRW Committee Race
Files consist of documents generated during Williams' campaign for election as a National Committeewoman.

I. Publications
Files consist of publications of the DNC, Democratic Viewpoint and Democratic Letter, from 1978 and 1979.

J. Rules
Rules governing the DNC, including 1981, 1986, and1987 Charter and By-Laws and proceedings of the 1987 Rules Committee.

K. Small Business Council
Documents pertaining to the DNC Small Business Council from 1984.

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ACCESS POINTS

Williams, Melba R., 1942-2005.
Smith, George T. (George Thornwell), 1916-

Bork, Robert H.

Democratic Party (Ga.)

Democratic National Committee (U.S.)

Georgia. Governor's Commission on the Status of Women.

United States. Supreme Court --Officials and employees --Selection and appointment.

Democratic National Convention (1988 : Atlanta, Ga.)

Political campaigns --Georgia.

Women --Legal status, laws, etc.

Political parties --Georgia.

Political participation --Georgia.

Election law --Georgia.

Judges --Selection and appointment --United States.
Georgia --Politics and government --1951-
DeKalb County (Ga.) --Politics and government.
Clarke County (Ga.) --Politics and government.

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FOLDER LIST

Not available at this time. Please contact Russell Library for more information.

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