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 women
  • Subjects = African Americans--Politics and government
Article on how Birmingham city officials are taking steps to address women's issues by appointing a new staff member with special responsibilities for women's issues and forming a new women's commission to review concerns relating to women, including family violence problems. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Arrington Fills Staff Post on Women's Issues", December 20, 1983
Date Created
1983-12-20
Description
Article on how Birmingham city officials are taking steps to address women's issues by appointing a new staff member with special responsibilities for women's issues and forming a new women's commission to review concerns relating to women, including family violence problems. 1 page.
Subject
African American women, African Americans--Politics and government, African American families
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Birmingham city officials are taking steps to address women's issues in local government, with the appointment of a new staff member, Mary Alice Jones, and the creation of a women's commission, in response to campaign promises and discussions with women's groups, aimed at institutionalizing fair treatment and sensitivity towards the special problems faced by women and their families. 4 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Atlanta NAACP Lobbying Network Newsletter, February 19, 1983
Date Created
1983-02-19
Description
Birmingham city officials are taking steps to address women's issues in local government, with the appointment of a new staff member, Mary Alice Jones, and the creation of a women's commission, in response to campaign promises and discussions with women's groups, aimed at institutionalizing fair treatment and sensitivity towards the special problems faced by women and their families. 4 pages.
Subject
African American women, African Americans--Politics and government, African American families
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Mary Miles, the newly elected representative of South Carolina House District 93, aims to work with all people, regardless of race or wealth, to heal the district's wounds and serve the needs of her constituents in the General Assembly. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Victorious Mary Miles Pledges to Work for All People", November 4, 1982
Date Created
1982-11-04
Description
Mary Miles, the newly elected representative of South Carolina House District 93, aims to work with all people, regardless of race or wealth, to heal the district's wounds and serve the needs of her constituents in the General Assembly. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, Political campaigns, Political participation, African American women
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 on a rally planned by a coalition consisting of the VEP, NAACP, SCLC, and GABEO in support of the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act, which will feature prominent civil rights activists and political figures, including Congressman Walter Fauntroy, and highlights the importance of minority political participation in the political process. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Voting Rights Act Rally at Piedmont Park", August 28, 1981
Date Created
1981-08-28
Description
Press release on a rally planned by a coalition consisting of the VEP, NAACP, SCLC, and GABEO in support of the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act, which will feature prominent civil rights activists and political figures, including Congressman Walter Fauntroy, and highlights the importance of minority political participation in the political process. 2 pages.
Subject
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
Testimony of Geraldine G. Thompson before the subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights of the House Judiciary Committee.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Testimony of Geraldine G. Thompson," June 23, 1981
Date Created
1981-06-23
Description
Testimony of Geraldine G. Thompson before the subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights of the House Judiciary Committee.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African American women, African Americans--Politics and government, Voting
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Press release on Mrs. Geraldine G. Thompson, executive director of the VEP, testified before the Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights of the House Judiciary Committee, calling the Voting Rights Act "the most effective civil rights legislation ever passed" and stating that the key provisions of the Act should be extended if minorities are to achieve full equality in the political system. 5 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Thompson Speaks on Voting Rights Act", June 23, 1981
Date Created
1981-06-23
Description
Press release on Mrs. Geraldine G. Thompson, executive director of the VEP, testified before the Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights of the House Judiciary Committee, calling the Voting Rights Act "the most effective civil rights legislation ever passed" and stating that the key provisions of the Act should be extended if minorities are to achieve full equality in the political system. 5 pages.
Subject
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 on Geraldine G. Thompson being appointed as the Executive Director of the Voter Education Project, Inc. 6 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Appointment of Geraldine Thompson As the Executive Director of VEP", June 19, 1981
Date Created
1981-06-19
Description
Press release on Geraldine G. Thompson being appointed as the Executive Director of the Voter Education Project, Inc. 6 pages.
Subject
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
"Shirley Chisholm to Challenge White Males in Four Primaries" article published in the Washington Post detailing Re. Shirley Chisholm's candidacy for United States President. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Shirley Chisholm to Challenge White Males in Four Primaries" Article, October 7, 1971
Date Created
1971-10-07
Description
"Shirley Chisholm to Challenge White Males in Four Primaries" article published in the Washington Post detailing Re. Shirley Chisholm's candidacy for United States President. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, African Americans--Politics and government, African American women, Political campaigns
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Shirley Serious About the White House" article on The Washington Daily News detailing Ms. Chisholm's bid for the White House. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Shirley Serious About the White House" Article, September 14, 1971
Date Created
1971-09-14
Description
"Shirley Serious About the White House" article on The Washington Daily News detailing Ms. Chisholm's bid for the White House. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, African Americans--Politics and government, African American women, Political campaigns
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"NOW Chairman Against Nixon" article in the Chicago Sun Times detailing Ms. Chisholm's bid for the White House. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"NOW Chairman Against Nixon" Article, September 1, 1971
Date Created
1971-09-01
Description
"NOW Chairman Against Nixon" article in the Chicago Sun Times detailing Ms. Chisholm's bid for the White House. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, African Americans--Politics and government, African American women, Political campaigns
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Excerpt from Newsweek magazine section entitled Newsmakers that briefly detailed Ms. Chisholm's bid for Presidency. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Newsweek Newsmakers Article, August 23, 1971
Date Created
1971-08-23
Description
Excerpt from Newsweek magazine section entitled Newsmakers that briefly detailed Ms. Chisholm's bid for Presidency. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, African Americans--Politics and government, African American women, Political campaigns
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Carter: Shirley, She's the Woman for President" article detailing Ms. Chisholm's bid for the White House in The Sunday News. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Carter: Shirley, She's the Woman for President" Article, August 22, 1971
Date Created
1971-08-22
Description
"Carter: Shirley, She's the Woman for President" article detailing Ms. Chisholm's bid for the White House in The Sunday News. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, African Americans--Politics and government, African American women, Political campaigns
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Shirley Chisholm Plans to Make a Determined Bid for the White House" article in the Buffalo Evening News detailing Ms. Chisholm's bid for the White House. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"Shirley Chisholm Plans to Make a Determined Bid for the White House" Article, August 5, 1971
Date Created
1971-08-05
Description
"Shirley Chisholm Plans to Make a Determined Bid for the White House" article in the Buffalo Evening News detailing Ms. Chisholm's bid for the White House. 1 page.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, African Americans--Politics and government, African American women, Political campaigns
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"The Putnam Lectureship in Social Ethics An Address by the Honorable Shirley Chisholm" program at Hamline University Field House. 3 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
"The Putnam Lectureship in Social Ethics An Address by the Honorable Shirley Chisholm" Program, April 23, 1971
Date Created
1971-04-23
Description
"The Putnam Lectureship in Social Ethics An Address by the Honorable Shirley Chisholm" program at Hamline University Field House. 3 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, African Americans--Politics and government, African American women, Political campaigns
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence between Vernon E. Jordan and Mrs. Lynnette Taylor, Frankie Freeman, and Bernice Turner concerning a Voter Education Project and Delta Sigma Theta collaboration. 12 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence Between Vernon E. Jordan and Mrs. Lynnette Taylor, 1969
Date Created
1969
Description
Correspondence between Vernon E. Jordan and Mrs. Lynnette Taylor, Frankie Freeman, and Bernice Turner concerning a Voter Education Project and Delta Sigma Theta collaboration. 12 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, Voter registration, Greek letter societies
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence between Bernice Cook and Vernon Jordan requesting 30 copies of the Orangeburg Report for Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. 2 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence Between Bernice Cook and Vernon Jordan, July 25, 1968
Date Created
1968-07-25
Description
Correspondence between Bernice Cook and Vernon Jordan requesting 30 copies of the Orangeburg Report for Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. 2 pages.
Subject
African Americans--Civil rights, African American women's suffrage, Women's rights, African Americans--Politics and government, Voter registration, African American women, Women--Societies and clubs, Greek letter societies
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Brochure of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. with the cooperation of The Center for Human Relations and Community Studies of New York University offers a Pre-Regional Conference Sensitivity Training Workshop with the theme "What Does It Mean to be a Negro Woman in a Black Revolution?". 3 pages.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. Pre-Regional Conference Sensitivity Training Workshop, July 18, 1968
Date Created
1968-07-18
Description
Brochure of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. with the cooperation of The Center for Human Relations and Community Studies of New York University offers a Pre-Regional Conference Sensitivity Training Workshop with the theme "What Does It Mean to be a Negro Woman in a Black Revolution?". 3 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, Voter registration, Greek letter societies
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence between Thaddeus Olive, Jr. and Miss Lynette Taylor, Executive Director of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. with Oliver submitting enclosed list as requested. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence Between Thaddeus Olive, Jr. and Miss Lynette Taylor, May 30, 1968
Date Created
1968-05-30
Description
Correspondence between Thaddeus Olive, Jr. and Miss Lynette Taylor, Executive Director of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. with Oliver submitting enclosed list as requested. 1 page.
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, Greek letter societies
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence between Vernon E. Jordan, Jr. and Allie Hubert concerning a copy of the vita sheet and a glossy print photo for the Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. program. 1 page.
Voter Education Project Organizational Records
Correspondence Between Vernon E. Jordan, Jr. and Allie Hubert, May 25, 1968
Date Created
1968-05-25
Description
Correspondence between Vernon E. Jordan, Jr. and Allie Hubert concerning a copy of the vita sheet and a glossy print photo for the Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. program. 1 page.
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, Voter registration, Greek letter societies
Collection
Voter Education Project Organizational Records