The Voter Education Project (VEP) began in 1962 as part of the Southern Regional Council. Initially VEP granted funds to civil rights organizations to support voter education, voter registration drives, and voting-related research. In 1964, Vernon Jordan, the second executive director of the VEP, expanded the programs goals to include citizenship training, voter education, and leadership training in the southern United States, while continuing to provide funds to independent voter and civil rights groups, including the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and the League of Women Voters. The VEP’s work with the League of Women Voters is highlighted in the materials below. In 1971, VEP under the leadership of John Lewis, became an independent organization and functioned as a research center and became known as an authoritative source for statistics on southern elections and voter registration in general. Lewis also forged the VEP into an activist organization, launching Voter Mobilization Tours with Georgia state legislator and civil rights advocate Julian Bond. At the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library we are always striving to improve our digital collections. We welcome additional information about people, places, or events depicted in any of the works in this collection. To submit information, please contact us at DSD@auctr.edu.
Sep 4, 2020

Voter Education Project Organizational Records

The Voter Education Project (VEP) began in 1962 as part of the Southern Regional Council. Initially VEP granted funds to civil rights organizations to support voter education, voter registration drives, and voting-related research. In 1964, Vernon Jordan, the second executive director of the VEP, expanded the programs goals to include citizenship training, voter education, and leadership training in the southern United States, while continuing to provide funds to independent voter and civil rights groups, including the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and the League of Women Voters. The VEP’s work with the League of Women Voters is highlighted in the materials below. In 1971, VEP under the leadership of John Lewis, became an independent organization and functioned as a research center and became known as an authoritative source for statistics on southern elections and voter registration in general. Lewis also forged the VEP into an activist organization, launching Voter Mobilization Tours with Georgia state legislator and civil rights advocate Julian Bond.

At the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library we are always striving to improve our digital collections. We welcome additional information about people, places, or events depicted in any of the works in this collection. To submit information, please contact us at DSD@auctr.edu.
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  • Decade = 1960-1969
A note and magazine article profiling Robert G. Clark, a legislator in Mississippi. 3 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Challenging White Rule", March 17, 1969
Date Created
1969--03-17
Description
A note and magazine article profiling Robert G. Clark, a legislator in Mississippi. 3 pages.
Subject
Voting, Voter registration, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, African American civic leaders
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article dicussing the Atlanta city government's employment of Black workers at City Hall. The article claimed that while some preliminary positive changes were created in the increased hiring of Black workers, any additional change was unlikely at the department head level. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"City Employs Many Negroes," March 17, 1969
Date Created
1969-03-17
Description
Newspaper article dicussing the Atlanta city government's employment of Black workers at City Hall. The article claimed that while some preliminary positive changes were created in the increased hiring of Black workers, any additional change was unlikely at the department head level. 1 page.
Subject
African American leadership, African Americans--Civil rights, Labor
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A newspaper clipping describing a convention of NAACP leaders in Oklahoma City. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Race Problems Chief Target of Conference", March 14, 1969
Date Created
1969--03-14
Description
A newspaper clipping describing a convention of NAACP leaders in Oklahoma City. 1 page.
Subject
Voting, Associations, institutions, etc., Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, African American civic leaders
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article regarding the election of the Black chairman William W. Bennett to the City Democrats Party in South Carolina during an organizational meeting which also set election primary dates and candidate filing fees for the upcoming May 6 Municipal Election. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"City Democrats Elect First Negro Chairman", March 14, 1969
Date Created
1969-03-14
Description
Newspaper article regarding the election of the Black chairman William W. Bennett to the City Democrats Party in South Carolina during an organizational meeting which also set election primary dates and candidate filing fees for the upcoming May 6 Municipal Election. 2 pages.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Political campaigns
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A newspaper clipping describing campaigns by Maynard Jackson, Vernon Jordan, and Leroy Johnson. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Johnson, Jordan Map Races", March 10, 1969
Date Created
1969--03-10
Description
A newspaper clipping describing campaigns by Maynard Jackson, Vernon Jordan, and Leroy Johnson. 1 page.
Subject
Voting, Voter registration, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, African American civic leaders
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A newspaper clipping describing the concerns over potential expiration of key provisions in the Voting Rights Act of 1965. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Voting Rights Act of 1965 Faces an Uncertain Future", March 1969
Date Created
1969-03
Description
A newspaper clipping describing the concerns over potential expiration of key provisions in the Voting Rights Act of 1965. 1 page.
Subject
Voting, Voter registration, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, African American civic leaders
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A newspaper clipping describing remarks made by Dr. Vivian Henderson to the Austell Rotary Club. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Negro Could Be Mayor Here, Henderson Says", February 21, 1969
Date Created
1969--02-21
Description
A newspaper clipping describing remarks made by Dr. Vivian Henderson to the Austell Rotary Club. 1 page.
Subject
Voting, Voter registration, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, African American civic leaders
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The article discusses political figure Julian Bond, who is well-known and influential in the Atlanta Black community, but may not fare well among White voters in Georgia, and questions whether it is equally "racial" politics to suggest that in the future Black voters will only vote for a Black candidate. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"The Mayors Race", February 19, 1969
Date Created
1969--02-19
Author
Gulliver, Hal
Description
The article discusses political figure Julian Bond, who is well-known and influential in the Atlanta Black community, but may not fare well among White voters in Georgia, and questions whether it is equally "racial" politics to suggest that in the future Black voters will only vote for a Black candidate. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African American civic leaders, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, Voting, Race relations
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The Community Relations Commission in Atlanta recognizes successful Black business executives with its first "Business Achievement Award," including Ira L. Jackson, Robert West, Mrs. Mary Jordan, Herman J. Russell, and James and Robert Paschal, highlighting the city's reputation as a community of opportunity and concerned citizens. With correspondence from Billie Pfiffner to Vernon Jordan. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Black Business Works", February 17, 1969
Date Created
1969--02-17
Description
The Community Relations Commission in Atlanta recognizes successful Black business executives with its first "Business Achievement Award," including Ira L. Jackson, Robert West, Mrs. Mary Jordan, Herman J. Russell, and James and Robert Paschal, highlighting the city's reputation as a community of opportunity and concerned citizens. With correspondence from Billie Pfiffner to Vernon Jordan. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African American civic leaders, African American businesspeople, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence Between Sadie B. Gaines and Verdelle B. Bellamy of Atlanta Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. and Mr. Keepler discussing evaluations forms and brochure of Minority Women in Employment: Human Rights and Public Policy. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence Between Sadie B. Gaines, Verdelle B. Bellamy, and Mr. Keepler, February 16, 1969
Date Created
1969-02-16
Description
Correspondence Between Sadie B. Gaines and Verdelle B. Bellamy of Atlanta Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. and Mr. Keepler discussing evaluations forms and brochure of Minority Women in Employment: Human Rights and Public Policy. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, Voter registration, Women--Societies and clubs, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article regarding Senator Ernest Hollings' claims that there was a serious problem with hunger in South Carolina, citing his own tours of slums and the testimony of experts. However, Senator Strom Thurmond denied that there was a problem, and claimed that talk of hunger was just political maneuvering. The issue was further complicated by the fact that many state and local officials also denied that hunger exists. The article also discusses the potential need for federal action to combat the problem and the lack of public support for Hollings' efforts to raise awareness of hunger. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Hunger: The Politics of Personal Misery", February 16, 1969
Date Created
1969-02-16
Description
Newspaper article regarding Senator Ernest Hollings' claims that there was a serious problem with hunger in South Carolina, citing his own tours of slums and the testimony of experts. However, Senator Strom Thurmond denied that there was a problem, and claimed that talk of hunger was just political maneuvering. The issue was further complicated by the fact that many state and local officials also denied that hunger exists. The article also discusses the potential need for federal action to combat the problem and the lack of public support for Hollings' efforts to raise awareness of hunger. 2 pages.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Political campaigns
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The Community Relations Commission has selected six successful Atlanta business people, including Ira L. Jackson, Robert West, Mrs. Mary Jordan, Herman J. Russell, and James and Robert Paschal, to receive its first "Business Achievement Award" at the closing banquet of the "Workshop on Black Business Opportunities," highlighting their flourishing enterprises that touch the lives of hundreds of Atlantans daily. 1 page
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Six Outstanding Black Businesses To Receive CRC Honors February 20", February 15, 1969
Date Created
1969--02-15
Description
The Community Relations Commission has selected six successful Atlanta business people, including Ira L. Jackson, Robert West, Mrs. Mary Jordan, Herman J. Russell, and James and Robert Paschal, to receive its first "Business Achievement Award" at the closing banquet of the "Workshop on Black Business Opportunities," highlighting their flourishing enterprises that touch the lives of hundreds of Atlantans daily. 1 page
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African American business enterprises, African American businesspeople, African American women
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
In 1969, State Rep. Julian Bond predicted that a Black mayor would be elected in Atlanta, and that Black Atlanta would become the majority, resulting in either an orderly transition of government or a state of political cold war between the races, depending on the willingness of the Black community to unify and the White community to accept the inevitable future, and argued for the need for a strong political organization and ward elections in the city. With correspondence from Billie Pfiffner to Vernon Jordan concerning Julian Bond's interest in Congress over mayorship. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Last White Mayor in '69, Bond Says", February 13, 1969
Date Created
1969--02-13
Description
In 1969, State Rep. Julian Bond predicted that a Black mayor would be elected in Atlanta, and that Black Atlanta would become the majority, resulting in either an orderly transition of government or a state of political cold war between the races, depending on the willingness of the Black community to unify and the White community to accept the inevitable future, and argued for the need for a strong political organization and ward elections in the city. With correspondence from Billie Pfiffner to Vernon Jordan concerning Julian Bond's interest in Congress over mayorship. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African American civic leaders, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, Voting, Race relations
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
City Attorney Henry Bowden has been suggested as a possible successor to Mayor Ivan Allen Jr. by a group of downtown business leaders, but Bowden has stated that he does not want the job and is a reluctant candidate. With correspondence from Vernon Jordan to E.T. Kehrer. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Bowden Being Pushed As Mayor Candidate", February 11, 1969
Date Created
1969--02-11
Author
Coffin, Alex
Description
City Attorney Henry Bowden has been suggested as a possible successor to Mayor Ivan Allen Jr. by a group of downtown business leaders, but Bowden has stated that he does not want the job and is a reluctant candidate. With correspondence from Vernon Jordan to E.T. Kehrer. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African American civic leaders, African American businesspeople, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A public information meeting in Atlanta, which was meant to be a presentation on the city's schools, turned into a heated debate between White and Black attendees on the commitment of school officials to improving education in economically deprived areas, with some speakers criticizing the quality of education in these areas and others endorsing the efforts of the school board to improve the situation. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Bitter Debate Rages on Ghetto Schools", February 11, 1969
Date Created
1969--02-11
Author
Hurt, Bob
Description
A public information meeting in Atlanta, which was meant to be a presentation on the city's schools, turned into a heated debate between White and Black attendees on the commitment of school officials to improving education in economically deprived areas, with some speakers criticizing the quality of education in these areas and others endorsing the efforts of the school board to improve the situation. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Education, Voting, Race relations
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A copy of a newspaper clipping profiling John Lewis. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Where Are They Now? Lewis of SNCC", February 10, 1969
Date Created
1969-02-10
Description
A copy of a newspaper clipping profiling John Lewis. 1 page.
Subject
Voting, Voter registration, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, African American civic leaders
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The Atlanta Board of Education has finally agreed to discuss the Better Schools Atlanta report, which highlights shocking disparities in the city's school system, and this could signal the beginning of a real dialogue and citizen participation in the business of the schools. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Schools: Answers Now?", February 10, 1969
Date Created
1969--02-10
Description
The Atlanta Board of Education has finally agreed to discuss the Better Schools Atlanta report, which highlights shocking disparities in the city's school system, and this could signal the beginning of a real dialogue and citizen participation in the business of the schools. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Education, African American students, African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence from Thomas Moss, director of South Carolina's Voter Education Project, to Marvin Wall, VEP's Director of Research, with the campaign cards of three Black candidates running for city council in Denmark, South Carolina. 4 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
City Council Campaign Cards for Black Candidates In Denmark, South Carolina, February 5, 1969
Date Created
1969-02-05
Description
Correspondence from Thomas Moss, director of South Carolina's Voter Education Project, to Marvin Wall, VEP's Director of Research, with the campaign cards of three Black candidates running for city council in Denmark, South Carolina. 4 pages.
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Political campaigns
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
A group of five U.S. congressmen from non-urban areas visited Atlanta to learn about urban living and toured Model Cities projects and public housing, while also experiencing the city's best and worst areas. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"U.S. Congressmen Get Look at Best and Worst in City", February 3, 1969
Date Created
1969--02-03
Description
A group of five U.S. congressmen from non-urban areas visited Atlanta to learn about urban living and toured Model Cities projects and public housing, while also experiencing the city's best and worst areas. 2 pages.
Subject
Voting, Voter registration, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The race for the next mayor of Atlanta, following the departure of Ivan Allen Jr., is expected to focus on racial and economic harmony, with taxation, annexation, and race relations being the major issues, and at least two dozen potential candidates being considered, including State Representative Julian Bond and business executive Earl Patton. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Mayor, Mayor, Who Wants to Be Mayor", January 30, 1969
Date Created
1969--01-30
Description
The race for the next mayor of Atlanta, following the departure of Ivan Allen Jr., is expected to focus on racial and economic harmony, with taxation, annexation, and race relations being the major issues, and at least two dozen potential candidates being considered, including State Representative Julian Bond and business executive Earl Patton. 2 pages.
Subject
Voting, Voter registration, Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records