Contents
Collection Access
Cardiss Collins papers
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Cardiss Collins papers
- Identifier
- BMRC.UIC.COLLINS
- Repository
- University of Illinois at Chicago, Special Collections and University Archives Department at the Richard J. Daley Library
- Language
- English
- Size
- 287.0 Linear feet
- Dates
- 1970-1996
- Creator
- Collins, Cardiss, 1931-2013
Biographical note
Cardiss Collins was the Democratic Representative in the United States House of Representatives from the 7th district in Illinois. Collins served from 1973-1997, after being elected to the 93rd Congress by special election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of her husband, George Washington Collins. Collins was the first African American woman to represent the Midwest in Congress and was elected as president of the Congressional Black Caucus in 1979. Her legislative interests included establishing universal health insurance, gender equality in college sports, and reforming federal child care facilities.
Scope and Contents note
The collection includes House Reports, legislation, resolutions certificates, artifacts, records of activity of the Congressional Black Caucus, correspondence, election campaign documents, newsletters, photographs, audio recordings of speeches, newspaper clippings, travel records, videos, legislation and hearing records, newspaper clippings, and memorabilia. The collection also includes the papers of Collins' late husband, former Illinois State Representative George Washington Collins.
Processing Information note
This collection was surveyed as part of the Black Metropolis Research Consortium's Survey Initiative on 2009 November 9 by Lisa Calahan, Andrew Steadham, and Lauren Kalal.