Women and Social Movements in the United States is a resource for students and scholars of U.S. history and U.S. women's history. Organized around the history of women in social movements in the U.S. between 1600 and 2000, this collection seeks to advance scholarly debates and understanding about U.S. history generally at the same time that it makes the insights of women's history accessible to teachers and students at universities, colleges, and high schools.
Oral history interview with Murray Atkins Walls and John Walls, conducted July 27, 1977 by Dwayne Cox. Most of the interview focuses on Murray Atkins Walls, although her husband, John Walls, is also an active participant. They were both involved in civil rights activities in Louisville and so share many experiences.
Oral history interview conducted with Louise Reynolds on June 13, 1979 by Mary Bobo. Louise Reynolds was the first African American woman elected alderman in the city of Louisville. Ms. Reynolds discusses her work with the Republican Party, including her work as a precinct committeewoman, in the party's headquarters, and for Representative John Robsion. She worked for Robsion in the 1950s, and was elected to Louisville's Board of Alderman in 1961. Ms. Reynolds discusses the legislation passed during her time on the board, including the Public Accommodations Ordinance, the establishment of the Human Relations Commission, and an Equal Opportunity ordinance, and her involvement in trying to pass an open housing ordinance. She discusses the administrations of mayors William Cowger, and to a lesser extent, Kenneth Schmied. She also describes a visit to the White House at the invitation of President Lyndon Johnson. She also worked for the Small Business Administration, and she talks about the advice she gives small businesspeople who approach the SBA for loans, and notes several successful African American businesspeople in Louisville.
May 17, 1954 -- The U.S. Supreme Court rules that school segregation is unconstitutional. A few days later,
Helen Cary Caise
, a black student, enrolls at Lafayette High School.
described her experiences as the first black student to ever attend a white school in Lexington, and the price her family paid for helping to break the color barrier in 1955.
Governor's School for the Arts article is insightful to her community action profile, a continuance of her roots as a school teacher in the civil rights era.
Gov.
Martha Layne Collins
"She not only turned out to be a strong governor but also was a real mentor to the many young women who saw her as a role model and are now today in public service. I count myself among them."