Contents
- Descriptive Summary
- Scope and Contents note
- Processing Information note
- Biographical Note
- Indexed Terms
- Inventory
Collection Access
Berniece Ball Perry Papers
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Berniece Ball Perry Papers
- Identifier
- BMRC.SHOREFRONT.PERRY_BERNIECE
- Repository
- Shorefront Legacy Center
- Language
- English
- Size
- 2.0 Linear feet
- Dates
- 1922-1997
- Abstract
- Berniece Ball Perry (1915-1995) was an African-American women's labor leader who lived and worked in Evanston, Illinois. She was an active member of a number of social and civic clubs and organizations and worked to ensure fair treatment of African-Americans in the workplace. The Berniece Ball Perry papers span from 1922 to 1997 and cover Perry's personal and professional life's work, especially with the International Ladies Garment Worker's Union and the A. Philip Randolph Institute.
Scope and Contents note
The Berniece Ball Perry papers are arranged in to five series: “Personal/Family,” “Benson Perry, Sr.,” “Professional Work,” “Photographs,” and “Artifacts.” The collection spans from 1922 to 1997 and covers both the personal and professional lives of Berniece Ball Perry. It includes, especially, her work with the International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU), the A. Philip Randolph Institute, and her research concerning African-American—especially women—in the workplace.
Processing Information note
Processed by CLIR funded Black Metropolis Research Consortium “Color Curtain Processing Project.” Processor: Dustin Witsman.
Biographical Note
Berniece Ball Perry (1915-1995) was an African-American women's labor leader who lived and worked in Evanston, Illinois. She helped organize and was a member of the Local 208 International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU), and she held the offices of Secretary, Vice President, and President from 1959-1973. She was appointed as AFL-CIO Staff Representative of the Labor-Welfare Service Department, Welfare Council of Metropolitan Chicago in 1971; she later served as Director of the Welfare Council of Metropolitan Chicago. In 1973, Berniece Ball Perry became Field Representative of the United Way Crusade of Mercy, the position from which she retired in 1985. She was married to Benson Perry, Sr.
Indexed Terms
- African American--History.
- African Americans--Illinois--Evanston.
- Civil Rights
- Labor Unions
- Labor--Illinois--History.
- Women labor leaders
- Women--Societies and clubs.
- Perry, Berniece Ball
Inventory
This series is comprised of material relating to the personal and family affairs of Berniece Ball Perry.
- Title
- Biographical/Personal Life
- Dates
- 1922-1973
- Title
- Family
- Dates
- 1953-1980
- Title
- Correspondence
- Dates
- 1937-1982
- Title
- Mildred Boston
- Dates
- 1945-1973
- Title
- Dillard Estate
- Dates
- 1961-1963
- Title
- Obituaries
- Dates
- 1976-1997
- Title
- Income Tax Returns and Statements
- Dates
- 1942-1944
- Title
- Receipts
- Dates
- 1949, undated
This series is comprised of material relating to Berniece Ball Perry's husband, Benson Perry, Sr., and includes business correspondence and records as well as membership information and artifacts relating to the Playboy Club.
- Title
- Playboy Club
- Dates
- 1972
- Title
- Benson Family Reunion
- Dates
- 1999
- Title
- Bryant's Currency Exchange
- Dates
- 1967-1968
- Title
- Automobile Mechanics' Local Number 701
- Dates
- 1999
This series contains material relating to the professional work done by Berniece Ball Perry. It includes newspaper clippings, International Ladies Garment Workers Union organizational materials, and other resources concerning African-American labor history.
- Title
- A. Philip Randolph Institute
- Dates
- 1969-1979
- Title
- Chicago's Black Labor Leaders
- Dates
- 1973
- Title
- International Ladies Garment Workers Union
- Dates
- 1958-1970
- Title
- Labor History Press Releases and Articles
- Dates
- 1985
- Title
- Women Workers in Illinois
- Dates
- 1964
- Title
- News Clippings
- Dates
- 1930-1972
- Title
- Membership and Business Cards
- Dates
- 1975, undated
- Title
- Awards
- Dates
- 1969
- Title
- Pay Stubs
- Dates
- 1971
The “Photographs” series contains both personal and professional photographs relating to the life and work of Berniece Ball Perry. The International Ladies Garment Workers Union is especially well represented.
- Title
- Photographs
- Dates
- undated
- Title
- Oversized Photographs
- Dates
- undated
- Title
- Oversized Photograph
- Dates
- undated
“Artifacts” is comprised of physical items such as pins, sewing kit items, ashtrays, and Pullman Porter hand towels.
- Title
- International Ladies Garment Workers Union
- Dates
- undated
- Title
- Various Artifacts
- Dates
- undated