Guide to the Urban League of Pittsburgh Records, 1915-1963 AIS.1981.11
Arrangement
Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
Urban League of Pittsburgh Records
Creator
Urban League of Pittsburgh
Collection Number
AIS.1981.11
Extent
12.5 Linear Feet(10 boxes)
Date
1915-1963
Abstract
The records of the Urban League of Pittsburgh, founded in 1918, contain minutes, correspondence, department reports, photographs and Urban League Fellows theses from 1915-1963. The emphasis of the Urban League was on African-American employment and training; topics include federal housing projects, youth employment, worker discrimination and African-American welfare work. Digital reproductions of selected images are available online.
Language
English
.
Author
Jeffrey Rollinson. Revisions occurred to the finding aid as a part of the encoding process on August 30, 2004.
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System Archives & Special Collections Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
History
In 1917, John T. Clark surveyed the needs of Pittsburgh's African-American community of the by bringing the National Urban League to Pittsburgh. In 1918, Dr. Francis Tyson and the Pittsburgh Council for Social Services Among Negroes asked that Clark establish an Urban League branch in Pittsburgh (505 Wylie Avenue).
The Board of the Pittsburgh Council became the first executive board members of the Urban League. Some of its active members were Dr. Francis Tyson of the University of Pittsburgh; Robert L. Vann, Editor of the Pittsburgh Courier and Walter A. May of the May Drug Company, who became the first board president.
During World War I, African-Americans migrated North to Pittsburgh seeking work in the mills and factories. The League helped to provide housing, sanitary conditions and work for the African-American masses. In the 1923 Directory of the Philanthropic Social and Civic Agencies of the City of Pittsburgh, the goals of the Urban League of Pittsburgh were cited as: "Renders social service to Negroes through work in Courts with delinquents; in homes with a Home Economics service; Girl's Clubs in various parts of the city; Home and School visiting service, and especially the Industrial problems of Negroes throughout the Pittsburgh District."
The Urban League expanded its activities through the Depression of the 1930's and World War II to include health, education, home economics and industrial welfare. In the 1933 edition of the directory, known in that year under the title, Directory of Social Agencies of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, the purpose of the organization was noted as: "Renders social service to Negroes through programs with junior and adult clubs in various parts of the city; home and school visiting service; and especially in dealing with the Industrial problems of Negroes throughout the Pittsburgh district; operates employment bureau; program largely educational, with speakers on current inter-racial matters furnished various groups; acts as consultant on matters regarding the relations between the races. In 1939, a summer camp for African-American youth was established, Camp James Weldon. The growth of government spending and programs led to one of the most active times for the League and provided new opportunities for Pittsburgh's African-American community. The League began to enroll African-Americans in government programs and assisted with overcoming the discrimination of unions and businesses."
The 1950 edition of the Directory of Social Agencies of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County gave as the organization's purpose: "To conduct a social service program including vocational guidance, employment, educational and recreational work and neighborhood groups designed to improve the conditions under which Negroes in Allegheny County may live, work and play." The League was especially concerned about the industrial problems faced by many African-Americans in Pittsburgh. As a way to confront the issue the League created a specialized employment bureau. This program was largely educational that involved speakers who spoke on current inter-racial matters common in the work-place. The bureau acted as a consultant to African-American workers on matters regarding race-relations and cooperated with governmental agencies to ensure African-American participation on the basis of equality.
The records of the Urban League of Pittsburgh, founded in 1918, contain minutes, correspondence, department reports, photographs and Urban League Fellows theses from 1915-1963, with a concentration of materials between 1918-1945. Many of the records were destroyed in a fire that occurred in the League offices in 1945. The collection is divided into 8 series according to subject and are arranged chronologically and alphabetically. The strength of the collection concerns African-American employment and training. Topics such as federal housing projects, youth employment, worker discrimination and African-American welfare work. The records contain extensive material about the National Urban League, Negro Industrial Welfare Workers, National Vocation Opportunity Campaign and Camp Weldon Johnson. The photographs separated from the general collection maintain the file numbers present in this finding aid.
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for research but because of the fragile nature of the materials strict supervision on handling is required.
Acquisition Information
Donated by the Urban League of Pittsburgh in 1981.
Preferred Citation
Urban League of Pittsburgh Records, 1915-1963, AIS.1981.11, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Previous Citation
Urban League of Pittsburgh Records, 1915-1963, AIS.1981.11, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh
Urban League of Pittsburgh, Records, 1917-1968, AIS 81:11, Archives of Industrial Society, University Library System, Hillman Library, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Jeffrey Rollinson in August 1987.
Revision and rearrangement for the encoded version of the finding aid provided by Michael O'Malley on March 21, 2003. Further revision to the finding aid was done by Andy Newman on August 30, 2004. Information about the collection title and the controlled access terms was extracted from the MARC record in the University of Pittsburgh catalog Voyager ID number: 1381983
Copyright
Permission for publication is given on behalf of the University of Pittsburgh as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Subjects
Corporate Names
National Urban League
Urban League of Pittsburgh
Urban League of Pittsburgh. Executive Board
Urban League of Pittsburgh. Industrial Welfare Department
Geographic Names
Pennsylvania -- Social conditions
Pittsburgh (Pa.) -- Social conditions
Genres
Programs (Documents)
Other Subjects
African Americans -- Medical care -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
African Americans -- Pennsylvania
Education
Social action
Ethnic groups
Associations
African Americans -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
Charitable uses, trusts, and foundations -- Pennsylvania
Series II, Departments, contains correspondence, applications, reports, publications, clippings, and memoranda. The actual work if the League was carried out by its various departments. As the League grew in membership and influence, so did its activities. A department was created for each new area of activity and a secretary provided oversight. The Industrial Department was the largest; its responsibilities included worker placement, welfare work in the plants, liaison with companies and efforts to achieve union membership for African-American workers. Other departments were concerned with health, recreation, home economics, education, and clubs. The files span the years 1918-1945 and are arranged in two sub-series. The first is an alphabetical arrangement of all departments except the Industrial Department. The second sub-series is the Industrial Department.
Containers
box 2, folder 70-71
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box 2, folder 72-75
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box 2, folder 76-78
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box 2, folder 79
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box 2, folder 80
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box 2, folder 81
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box 2, folder 82
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box 2, folder 83
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box 2, folder 84
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box 2, folder 85
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box 2, folder 86
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box 3, folder 87-92
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box 3, folder 93
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box 3, folder 94
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box 3, folder 95
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box 3, folder 96
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box 3, folder 97
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box 3, folder 98
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box 3, folder 99
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box 3, folder 100
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box 3, folder 101
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box 3, folder 102
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box 3, folder 103
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box 3, folder 104
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box 3, folder 105
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box 3, folder 106
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box 3, folder 107
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box 3, folder 108
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box 3, folder 109
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box 3, folder 110
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box 3, folder 111-112
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box 3, folder 113
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box 3, folder 114
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box 3, folder 115
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box 3, folder 116
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box 3, folder 117
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box 3, folder 118
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box 3, folder 119
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box 3, folder 120
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box 3, folder 121
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box 3, folder 122
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box 3, folder 123-129
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box 3, folder 130
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box 3, folder 131-135
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box 3, folder 136-145
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box 3, folder 146-147
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box 3, folder 148
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box 3, folder 149
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box 3, folder 150
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box 3, folder 151
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box 3, folder 152
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box 3, folder 153
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box 3, folder 154
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box 3, folder 155
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box 3, folder 156
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box 3, folder 157
Scope and Content Notes
Series III contains the financial records of the Urban League which consists of budgets, financial statements, and payroll records. The majority of the subgroup are the payroll records. These records concern the League staff and a series of grant programs operated during the 1960s.
Containers
box 4, folder 158
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box 4, folder 159-163
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box 4, folder 164
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box 4, folder 165-166
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box 4, folder 167-183
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box 4, folder 184-192
Scope and Content Notes
Series IV, Office Files, consist of records that are generated during the course of daily operations of the League such as, correspondence, reports, publications, memoranda, clippings. The major topics covered are annual meetings, Camp James Weldon Johnson, relations with churches, Community Fund, contributors, history of the League, events, and files of the executive secretary from 1918-1963.
Containers
box 5, folder 193-200
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box 5, folder 201-203
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box 5, folder 204-207
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box 5, folder 208-210
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box 5, folder 211-214
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box 5, folder 215-223
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box 5, folder 224
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box 5, folder 225
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box 5, folder 226
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box 5, folder 227
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box 5, folder 228-232
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box 5, folder 233-239
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box 6, folder 240-241
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box 6, folder 242-245
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box 6, folder 246-250
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box 6, folder 251
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box 6, folder 252
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box 6, folder 253
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box 6, folder 254
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box 6, folder 255
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box 6, folder 256
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box 6, folder 257
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box 6, folder 258
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box 6, folder 259-260
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box 6, folder 261
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box 6, folder 262-263
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box 6, folder 264
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box 6, folder 265
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box 6, folder 266
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box 6, folder 267
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box 6, folder 268
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box 6, folder 269
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box 6, folder 270
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box 6, folder 271
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box 6, folder 272-273
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box 6, folder 274
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box 6, folder 275
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box 6, folder 276
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box 6, folder 277
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box 6, folder 278
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box 6, folder 279
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box 6, folder 280
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box 6, folder 281
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box 6, folder 282
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box 6, folder 283
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box 6, folder 284
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box 6, folder 285-286
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box 6, folder 287
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box 6, folder 288
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box 6, folder 289
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box 6, folder 290
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box 6, folder 291
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box 7, folder 292-300
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box 7, folder 301-303
Scope and Content Notes
Series V, Organizations, contains correspondence between the Urban League of Pittsburgh and national, regional and local social welfare agencies from 1915-1945. All of the organizations represented reflect the interest of the League improving conditions and employment opportunities of Pittsburgh's African-American community. Topics of special interest are the American Association of Social Workers, Negro Industrial Welfare Workers and the Industrial Baseball League organized by the League for Blacks in local factories.
Containers
box 7, folder 304-305
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box 7, folder 306
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box 7, folder 307
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box 7, folder 308
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box 7, folder 309
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box 7, folder 310
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box 7, folder 311
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box 7, folder 312
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box 7, folder 313
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box 7, folder 314-316
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box 7, folder 317-319
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box 7, folder 320
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box 7, folder 321
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box 7, folder 322
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box 7, folder 323
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box 7, folder 324
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box 7, folder 325
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box 7, folder 326-327
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box 7, folder 328
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box 7, folder 329
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box 7, folder 330
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box 7, folder 331
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box 7, folder 332-333
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box 7, folder 334-339
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box 8, folder 340
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box 8, folder 341
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box 8, folder 342
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box 8, folder 343
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box 8, folder 344
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box 8, folder 345
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box 8, folder 346
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box 8, folder 347
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box 8, folder 348-349
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box 8, folder 350
Scope and Content Notes
Series VI, National Urban Leagues, consist of correspondence and meeting programs which reflect the active interest of the Urban League of Pittsburgh in the activities of the National Urban League from 1918-1963. Some of the subjects include the National Urban League's 25th Anniversary celebration, national annual meetings, the Vocational Opportunity Campaign, and publications and correspondence with other urban leagues.
Containers
box 8, folder 351-353
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box 8, folder 354-370
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box 8, folder 371-380
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box 8, folder 381-382
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box 8, folder 383
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box 8, folder 384
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box 8, folder 385
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box 8, folder 386-387
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box 8, folder 388
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box 8, folder 389
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box 8, folder 390
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box 8, folder 391
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box 8, folder 392
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box 8, folder 393
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box 8, folder 394
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box 8, folder 395
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box 8, folder 396
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box 8, folder 397
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box 8, folder 398
Scope and Content Notes
Series VII, Government Bodies, contains reports, statistics, minutes, and correspondence about employment discrimination, housing projects, the Civilian Conservation Corps, Works Progress Administration, and the National Youth Administration, mostly concerning the Federal government from 1917-1952. Correspondence and reports from the Pennsylvania state government concerns the employment of African-Americans and the Pennsylvania Fair Employment Practices Bill.
Containers
box 9, folder 399
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box 9, folder 400-401
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box 9, folder 402-403
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box 9, folder 404-405
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box 9, folder 406-416
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box 9, folder 417-418
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box 9, folder 419-426
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box 9, folder 427
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box 9, folder 428
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box 9, folder 429-435
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box 9, folder 436
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box 9, folder 437
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box 9, folder 438-439
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box 9, folder 440
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box 10, folder 441-442
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box 10, folder 443
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box 10, folder 444
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box 10, folder 445
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box 10, folder 446
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box 10, folder 447
Scope and Content Notes
Series VIII, Reports, Studies, and Theses, were created by the Urban League of Pittsburgh, Urban League Fellows, and outside organizations. The subjects covered are education, employment, and African-American life from 1906-1950.
Containers
box 10, folder 448
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box 10, folder 449
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box 10, folder 450
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box 10, folder 451
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box 10, folder 452
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box 10, folder 453
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box 10, folder 454
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box 10, folder 455
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box 10, folder 456
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box 10, folder 457
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box 10, folder 458
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box 10, folder 459
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box 10, folder 460
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box 10, folder 461
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box 10, folder 462
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box 10, folder 463
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box 10, folder 464
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box 10, folder 465
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box 10, folder 466
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box 10, folder 467
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box 10, folder 468
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box 10, folder 469
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box 10, folder 470
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box 10, folder 471
Scope and Content Notes
Series IX, Photographs, depict activities and prominent people of the Urban League circa 1920's-1950's. Photographs were separated from general collection and are housed in the media room at the Archives Service Center. A sample of photographic images from this collection have been digitized and are available for online research. The images depict housing and working conditions for black employees at Camp James Weldon and show group portraits taken at conventions and youth conferences from 1923-1958.