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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  • Subjects = African American mayors
Renita Jimmar, a 23-year-old supervisor for American Telephone and Telegraph, became Leighton's first Black mayor-elect after winning the July 10 election with 230 votes, defeating the incumbent Eugene Boatwright, and plans to work on improving the town's recreational facilities for young people and obtaining federal funds for housing, water, and sewer improvements. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"She Has to Bone Up as New Head of Leighton", 1984
Date Created
1984
Description
Renita Jimmar, a 23-year-old supervisor for American Telephone and Telegraph, became Leighton's first Black mayor-elect after winning the July 10 election with 230 votes, defeating the incumbent Eugene Boatwright, and plans to work on improving the town's recreational facilities for young people and obtaining federal funds for housing, water, and sewer improvements. 1 page.
Subject
African American mayors, African Americans--Social conditions, Voting, African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article from Black Enterprise on how Black Mayors are revitalizing cities and towns. Mayors discussed are Andrew Young, Coleman Yound, and Johnny Ford, accompanied by a full list around the country. 8 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Taking Over City Hall", June 1983
Date Created
1983-06
Description
Article from Black Enterprise on how Black Mayors are revitalizing cities and towns. Mayors discussed are Andrew Young, Coleman Yound, and Johnny Ford, accompanied by a full list around the country. 8 pages.
Subject
African American business enterprises, African American mayors
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Keynote address given by Geraldine G. Thompson at the retirement celebration for Richmond D. Hill, mayor of Greenville, Georgia.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Keynote Address for the Retirement of Richmond D. Hill, March 12, 1983
Date Created
1983-03-12
Description
Keynote address given by Geraldine G. Thompson at the retirement celebration for Richmond D. Hill, mayor of Greenville, Georgia.
Subject
Speeches, African American civic leaders, African American mayors
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article on Richmond Hill, the first Black mayor in Georgia retiring at the age of 77, leaving behind a successful career that began with him working as a bellhop at an Atlanta hotel. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Georgia's First Black Mayor Retiring in May", February 21, 1983
Date Created
1983-02-21
Description
Article on Richmond Hill, the first Black mayor in Georgia retiring at the age of 77, leaving behind a successful career that began with him working as a bellhop at an Atlanta hotel. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African American mayors, Political participation
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release on a coalition of civil rights organizations was joined by Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson in announcing support for the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act, which would extend the Act through 1992 and provide a new way for jurisdictions covered by the Act to "bail-out" if they can prove they have not had discriminatory voting practices for the ten years before the bail-out suit. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Mayor Maynard Jackson Joins Civil Rights Orgs in Campaign To Extend Voting Rights Act", September 17, 1981
Date Created
1981-09-17
Description
Press release on a coalition of civil rights organizations was joined by Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson in announcing support for the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act, which would extend the Act through 1992 and provide a new way for jurisdictions covered by the Act to "bail-out" if they can prove they have not had discriminatory voting practices for the ten years before the bail-out suit. 2 pages.
Subject
African American mayors, African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Civil rights, African American women, African American civic leaders, African American civil rights workers
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release from the Voter Education Project discussing a coalition of human rights and civil rights organizations', along with Mayor Maynard Jackson, calls for the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act. Their proposed measure would extend the Act through 1992 and provide a new way for jurisdictions covered by the Act to "bail-out." The coalition urged citizens to contact their Congresspersons and encourage them to support the measure. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
VEP Press Release, September 17, 1981
Date Created
1981-09-17
Description
Press release from the Voter Education Project discussing a coalition of human rights and civil rights organizations', along with Mayor Maynard Jackson, calls for the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act. Their proposed measure would extend the Act through 1992 and provide a new way for jurisdictions covered by the Act to "bail-out." The coalition urged citizens to contact their Congresspersons and encourage them to support the measure. 2 pages.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, African American mayors
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article on the U.S. Justice Department's informing of Atlanta officials that it had no record of ever having approved the city's two-term limitation for mayor, meaning that the city would likely have to resubmit their charter for approval and that the two-term limit would possibly not be legally enforceable. Mayor Maynard Jackson had previously stated that he would not seek a third term, but this ruling offered the potential to reopen the debate. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Term Limit For Mayor Lacking Feds' OK", March 20, 1981
Date Created
1981-03-20
Description
Newspaper article on the U.S. Justice Department's informing of Atlanta officials that it had no record of ever having approved the city's two-term limitation for mayor, meaning that the city would likely have to resubmit their charter for approval and that the two-term limit would possibly not be legally enforceable. Mayor Maynard Jackson had previously stated that he would not seek a third term, but this ruling offered the potential to reopen the debate. 1 page.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, African American mayors, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article describing Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson and Voter Education Project (VEP) Director John R. Lewis's plans to run for Congress. Jackson's top political advisor urged him not to run, but Jackson had not made an official decision yet. Lewis also had not made a decision, but he was encouraged by many people to run. State Rep. Mildred Glover was also expected to enter the race. She stated earlier that she did not want to run against Jackson, but she had since changed her mind. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Jackson Adviser Urges He Not Run for House", December 18, 1976
Date Created
1976-12-18
Description
Newspaper article describing Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson and Voter Education Project (VEP) Director John R. Lewis's plans to run for Congress. Jackson's top political advisor urged him not to run, but Jackson had not made an official decision yet. Lewis also had not made a decision, but he was encouraged by many people to run. State Rep. Mildred Glover was also expected to enter the race. She stated earlier that she did not want to run against Jackson, but she had since changed her mind. 1 page.
Subject
Political campaigns, African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, African American mayors
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Article about Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson announcing that he would not seek US Rep. Andrew Young's seat in the event that Young resigns to take a United Nations post, leaving City Council President Wyche Fowler as a potential front-runner for a possible Fifth District special congressional election.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Mayor Takes Himself Out of Bid for Young�s Seat", December 15, 1976
Date Created
1976-12-15
Description
Article about Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson announcing that he would not seek US Rep. Andrew Young's seat in the event that Young resigns to take a United Nations post, leaving City Council President Wyche Fowler as a potential front-runner for a possible Fifth District special congressional election.
Subject
African American mayors, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
This article describes the influential role that Rep. Andrew Young and the "Black Atlanta Connection" played in securing Jimmy Carter's election as President of the United States, with prominent Georgians and other figures supporting Carter's campaign through their political power, personal integrity, and outreach efforts to African American communities. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Atlanta Connection Did Well", November 6, 1976
Date Created
1976-11-06
Description
This article describes the influential role that Rep. Andrew Young and the "Black Atlanta Connection" played in securing Jimmy Carter's election as President of the United States, with prominent Georgians and other figures supporting Carter's campaign through their political power, personal integrity, and outreach efforts to African American communities. 2 pages.
Subject
Voter registration, Voting, Political participation, African American civic leaders, African American mayors
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newspaper article describing Mayor Maynard Jackson of Atlanta criticism of U.S. Sen. Herman Talmadge for opposing the extension of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Jackson stated that the act was still needed to protect the right to vote for black people in Georgia. Jackson said that Talmadge was "ignorant" of the facts when he claimed that Black people enjoyed universal voter registration rights. He pointed to the fact that there were continuing violations of the Voting Rights Act in Georgia. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Jackson Assails Talmadge Stand", July 16, 1975
Date Created
1975-07-16
Description
Newspaper article describing Mayor Maynard Jackson of Atlanta criticism of U.S. Sen. Herman Talmadge for opposing the extension of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Jackson stated that the act was still needed to protect the right to vote for black people in Georgia. Jackson said that Talmadge was "ignorant" of the facts when he claimed that Black people enjoyed universal voter registration rights. He pointed to the fact that there were continuing violations of the Voting Rights Act in Georgia. 1 page.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, Voter registration, African Americans--Politics and government, Political campaigns, African American mayors
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Maynard Jackson addresses people in a church.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Maynard Jackson Speaks to People at a Church, circa 1974
Date Created
1972/1976
Description
Maynard Jackson addresses people in a church.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, African American leadership, Civil rights movements, African American churches, African American mayors
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Maynard Jackson sings along with other people at a church.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Maynard Jackson Sings at a Church, circa 1974
Date Created
1972/1976
Description
Maynard Jackson sings along with other people at a church.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, African American leadership, Civil rights movements, African American churches, African American mayors
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Maynard Jackson speaks to people in a church.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Maynard Jackson Speaks to People at a Church, circa 1974
Date Created
1972/1976
Description
Maynard Jackson speaks to people in a church.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Civil rights, African American leadership, Civil rights movements, African American churches, African American mayors
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The Delta Vol. 54 No. 11 monthly publication from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. with articles about Black Power, 1967 convention, Delta Teen-Lift, and additional program information. 87 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
The Delta Vol. 54 No. 11, May 1968
Date Created
1968-05
Description
The Delta Vol. 54 No. 11 monthly publication from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. with articles about Black Power, 1967 convention, Delta Teen-Lift, and additional program information. 87 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, African Americans--Politics and government, African American women, Women--Societies and clubs, African American mayors, Greek letter societies
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records