Elsie V. Parker Collection
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Elsie V. Parker Collection
- Identifier
- MSS 2007-103 icsu-2455 US
- Repository
- Chicago State University, Archives and Special Collections
- Language
- Materials are in English.
- Creator
- Elsie V. Parker
- Size
- 2.59 Linear feet 9 items
- Dates
- 1977-1983
Biography or History
Elsie Parker was a philanthropist and businesswoman active in the Chicago area. After a twenty-year career in the beauty salon industry, she became vice-president of the Parker House Sausage Company, which was founded by her husband, Judge Henry Parker. She worked with many organizations in the Chicago area, including the Lyric Opera, NAACP, the Urban League, Children’s Home and Aid Society, and the Roseland Heights Community Association.
Parker was also a strong supporter of Chicago State University, where she served on the Community Council and as an Advisory Board member of the CSU Foundation. She established the Parker Meditation Room in Douglas Library in 1979. In June 1980 the university awarded her an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.
Scope and Content
The collection includes a scrapbook, a plaque, a framed photograph, and 5 framed certificates.
Arrangement
Items arranged chronologically in two boxes.Processing Information note
This collection was surveyed as part of the Black Metropolis Research Consortium's Survey Initiative on 2009 October 6 by Andrew Steadham and Lisa Calahan.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
Items donated by Belinda McFalling, Elsie Parker’s daughter in law, in 2007.
Storage Location
Bin 0204218AConditions for Access
No restrictions.Conditions Governing Use
Available for use.Preferred Citation
Elsie Parker collection, [Box#, Folder #], Chicago State University Archives and Special CollectionsIndexed Terms
- Chicago State University
- Parker House Sausage Company (Chicago, Ill.)
- Chicago (Ill.)--Commerce
- Philanthropists
Inventory
- Title
- Scrapbook
- Dates
- 1980
- Title
- Certificate of Commendation
- Dates
- 1977
- Title
- Membership certificate
- Dates
- 1978-1979
- Title
- Group photograph
- Dates
- undated
- Title
- Service award
- Dates
- 1981
- Title
- Citation
- Dates
- 1981
- Title
- Membership certificate
- Dates
- 1978-1979
- Title
- Award plaque
- Dates
- 1983
- Title
- Honorary degree
- Dates
- 1980