Gwendolyn Sawyer Cherry Collection
Item
Collections Identifier
MS_00066
Date Started
July 12, 2004
Collection Title
Gwendolyn Sawyer Cherry Collection
Date Span
Varied
Inclusive Subjects
Civil rights
Law
Politics
This collection may be cross-referenced with: Sites & Landmarks, Civil Rights (Civil Disturbance), the Sawyer Collection, Neighborhoods & Communities, Joseph Caleb Center collection, Erica N. Wright papers, Dolores Austin Turner papers, AT&T / Miami-Dade County African-American History Calendar collection, 1994-2012-Item 1: 1994
Law
Politics
This collection may be cross-referenced with: Sites & Landmarks, Civil Rights (Civil Disturbance), the Sawyer Collection, Neighborhoods & Communities, Joseph Caleb Center collection, Erica N. Wright papers, Dolores Austin Turner papers, AT&T / Miami-Dade County African-American History Calendar collection, 1994-2012-Item 1: 1994
Brief description of processing procedure
The records in this collection were located in the Black Archives
ready reference room. After a preliminary survey was conducted,
it was discovered that the records of the Gwendolyn Sawyer
Cherry were in no particular order, only kept in a large binder
folder. To process the collection, the information under Cherry was
placed into categories, and then transferred into acid-free file
folders. After being appropriately labeled, the folders were
organized in alphabetical order and placed in an acid-free box. A
content listing was made, and the files were inputted into the
collections database. Collection appropriate labels were attached,
and the boxes were stored in the collection room. This collection
was processed at the file folder level and is now categorized
multiple series.
ready reference room. After a preliminary survey was conducted,
it was discovered that the records of the Gwendolyn Sawyer
Cherry were in no particular order, only kept in a large binder
folder. To process the collection, the information under Cherry was
placed into categories, and then transferred into acid-free file
folders. After being appropriately labeled, the folders were
organized in alphabetical order and placed in an acid-free box. A
content listing was made, and the files were inputted into the
collections database. Collection appropriate labels were attached,
and the boxes were stored in the collection room. This collection
was processed at the file folder level and is now categorized
multiple series.
Archivist Note
These records were stored along with the Personalities C
Collection, and since this is a community archives, it will be an
ongoing collection. The collection includes several photographs
and manuscripts of Cherry, and will continue to grow as more
information is made available to the archives. Upon reviewing the
collection, I made the decision to separate it from the personalities
C that only contained an obituary. I will place those removed in
our collection because of its content. Researchers will be able to
cross-reference Cherry’s of records with other material in the
archives collection. Examples of other collections include, Sites &
Landmarks, Civil Rights (Civil Disturbance), the Sawyer
Collection, and Neighborhoods & Communities
Collection, and since this is a community archives, it will be an
ongoing collection. The collection includes several photographs
and manuscripts of Cherry, and will continue to grow as more
information is made available to the archives. Upon reviewing the
collection, I made the decision to separate it from the personalities
C that only contained an obituary. I will place those removed in
our collection because of its content. Researchers will be able to
cross-reference Cherry’s of records with other material in the
archives collection. Examples of other collections include, Sites &
Landmarks, Civil Rights (Civil Disturbance), the Sawyer
Collection, and Neighborhoods & Communities
Number of Boxes
1
Collection Size
.5 linear ft.
Process Level
File folder level
Date of Completion
July 15, 2004
Finding Aid Author(s)
Whitney Ducas (Intern) & Timothy A. Barber Assistant Archivist
Scope and Content
This themed, composite collection contains information on Gwendolyn Sawyer Cherry, the first African-American woman elected to the Florida Legislature and Dade County's first black female attorney.
Born in Miami, Gwendolyn Sawyer Cherry earned three degrees between 1946 and 1965, while mothering two children. Her bachelor's degree and law degree were from Florida A&M University; she also earned a master's degree in science from New York University. After careers as a teacher and a lawyer, Cherry was elected to the Florida House in 1970. She introduced the Equal Rights Amendment there in 1972, chaired the state's committee for International Woman's Year in 1978, and co-authored Portraits in Color.
The collection contains autobiographies, biographies, a poster (donated by Gamma Delta Sigma chaper of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, located in Oversize Materials, Box 1, Folder 18), pictures, programs, obituaries, certificates, awards, newspaper articles, correspondence, resumes, and other materials. See "Other URL" for more information.
Born in Miami, Gwendolyn Sawyer Cherry earned three degrees between 1946 and 1965, while mothering two children. Her bachelor's degree and law degree were from Florida A&M University; she also earned a master's degree in science from New York University. After careers as a teacher and a lawyer, Cherry was elected to the Florida House in 1970. She introduced the Equal Rights Amendment there in 1972, chaired the state's committee for International Woman's Year in 1978, and co-authored Portraits in Color.
The collection contains autobiographies, biographies, a poster (donated by Gamma Delta Sigma chaper of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, located in Oversize Materials, Box 1, Folder 18), pictures, programs, obituaries, certificates, awards, newspaper articles, correspondence, resumes, and other materials. See "Other URL" for more information.
Access Restrictions
There are no access restrictions on this material.
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Online Publisher
Elaysha Bazil
Publication Date
August 18, 2023
