The Margaret Walker Center's archival collections document a wide array of facets of Black American history and culture with an emphasis on the Southern experience. This collection examines the contributions of women who participated in the Civil Rights and Black Liberation movements. Featured in this collection are materials from the Frankye Adams-Johnson Black Panther Party collection and several oral histories in which women share first-hand accounts of their roles and actions in various movement activities.
A newspaper article from the Asbury Park Press about Attorney General William F. Hyland ruling that the Executive Commission on Ethical Standards can close its meetings to the public on certain occasions. This article pertains to hearings in the trial of Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) for the 1973 killing of a state trooper.
A newspaper article from The Star Ledger about Superior Court Judge John C. Demos denying a motion to move the murder trial of Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) for the 1973 killing of a state trooper out of Middlesex County because of the defense's inability to show that an unbiased jury couldn't be selected.
A photograph from the newspaper The Home News of poet and playwright Amiri Baraka speaking at a benefit for Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) at the Rutgers University Student Center in New Jersey. Shakur was on trial for the 1973 killing of a state trooper. Baraka was one of several speakers speaking on Shakur’s behalf at the benefit.
A news blurb from The New York Times about Lennox Hinds, president of the National Conference of Black Lawyers, speaking out against his critics for his support of Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard), in her trial for the 1973 killing of a state trooper, after being cited by The Ethics Committee of the Middlesex County Bar Association.
Willie Payton began with Head Start holding meetings at churches to encourage people in the community to get involved. She ultimately helped with the opening of the first Head Start Center in the Pearson Community in Rankin County, Mississippi. She discusses her experiences with voter registration work in Mississippi in the 1960s.
A newspaper article from The New York Times detailing the testimony Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) gave during her trial for the 1973 killing of a state trooper. In her testimony, she denied shooting anyone, or possessing a firearm, and gave her account of what happened that day.
A newspaper article from The Home News about Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) dropping her plan to testify in her attempt to get moved to a larger cell while in Middlesex County to stand trial for the May 1973 killing of a state trooper. Shakur was convicted in 1977 of the killing and escaped prison in 1979.
Minutes from a meeting of the New Afrikan Women’s Organization. Organizational plans to move forward with the new organization are discussed, especially in light of the vacuum left since 1971 in radical movements. Finances, future conferences, and methods of operation were also discussed in the meeting.
Minnie Ripley helped bring Head Start to Mayersville, Mississippi. She talks about her experiences in the Civil Rights Movement, including her story of registering to vote and being put in jail. She also recounts her position as chairwoman of the board of the Mayersville Head Start program, one of the earliest in Mississippi.
Minnie Farish was born on Farish Street and lived her life there. Ms. Farish talks about her childhood on Farish Street and her time at Smith Robertson School and Lanier High School. She recounts the homes and businesses on Farish Street and talks extensively about her family. She also talks about what it was like living in the Jim Crow Era.
A memo from Black revolutionary woman Nehanda Abiodun, who was exiled to Cuba in 1982, suggesting that a document be created that can be used for dissemination to inform and organize other revolutionary New Afrikan Women around the country. The heading reads: “The New Afrikan: The Struggle is for Land!” The memo is dated July 17, 15 ADM.
A button with a black and white photo of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. Dr. King was a co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and remained its leader until his death. Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her seat on a bus in 1955 sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycotts, which were led by Dr. King.
Bernice Jones (aka Safiya Bukhari) was a Black Panther Party member and vice president of the Republic of New Afrika. In this essay, she writes about the concept of New Afrikan Women and the New Afrikan Women's Organization (NAWO).
The sender, following up with Frankye Adams-Johnson (Malika) on a previous conversation, writes to her regarding her idea to start a woman-led Black liberation group. The sender gives steps on creating a military intelligence apparatus that will serve the women's militia and connect them to other organizations in the struggle for Black liberation.
A letter to Nuh Abdul Qaiyum from Martha Pitts wishing him a happy birthday while he is in prison. The letter contains birthday messages from others as well, including Assata Shakur (Joanne Chesimard) and Sundiata Acoli. Both of those birthday wishes were relayed through Martha Pitts, who was a friend and confidant to each of them.
Written on Middlesex County Workhouse letterhead, where Joanne Chesimard (Assata Shakur) was being held in connection with a 1973 police shooting. She writes to Nuh Abdul Qaiyum in response to his letters and to catch up. She notes that she is hesitant toward religion, but believes Islam teaches the mental processes needed for revolution.
Written on Middlesex County Workhouse letterhead, where Joanne Chesimard (Assata Shakur) was being held in connection with a 1973 police shooting. She writes to Nuh Abdul Qaiyum that she heard about his marriage and wrote a love poem for them. She thanks him for his book suggestions and writes about the other prisoners attitudes’ toward books.
A booklet written by Bernice Jones (aka Safiya Bukhari), who was a Black Panther Party member and vice president of the Republic of New Afrika. The booklet lists members of the Black Panther Party who were killed between 1966 and 1981. There is also a memorial write up and poem in the conclusion.
A newspaper article from The News Tribune about Lennox Hinds, president of the National Conference of Black Lawyers, being cited by The Ethics Committee of the Middlesex County Bar Association. Chief defense counsel William Kunstler, representing Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) in her trial for the 1973 killing of a state trooper, protested it.
Laverne White moved to Jackson when she was 9 years old and was married to Jackson’s police sergeant for over 40 years. In the interview she talks about her education; her 21-year employment at Boot's Flower Shop in the Farish Street District; her participation in civil rights marches; and the deterioration of the Farish Street District.
A newspaper article from The Home News about arguing between chief defense counsel William Kunstler and Superior Court Judge Theodore Appleby in the trial of Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) for the 1973 killing of a state trooper. The argument centered on a citation given to Lennox Hinds, president of the National Conference of Black Lawyers.
A newspaper article from The Black Panther. It is a transcript of Kathleen Cleaver's speech at May Day (International Workers Day) on May 1, 1969 in San Francisco, California. Cleaver’s speech, like many of the speeches given that day, centered on the calls to Free Huey Newton from his arrest on murder charges on October 28, 1967.
A newspaper article from The News Tribune about defense attorneys for Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard), who was on trial for the 1973 killing of a state trooper, filing a complaint claiming that the jury selection in her murder trial is biased toward the prosecution. Shakur was convicted in 1977 of the killing and escaped prison in 1979.
A newspaper article from The Daily News about items entered into evidence by the prosecution in the Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) trial for the 1973 killing of a state trooper. The slain trooper’s bloodied uniform shirt was submitted into evidence, as well as bullet fragments pulled from the body, and empty shell casings.
A letter from New Afrikan Women’s Organization (NAWO) leadership to Ibidun Sundiata (aka Dorothy Morrow) inquiring about her sudden resignation from the organization. Ibidun Sundiata was a well-respected and regarded activist and the members of the NAWO want clarification on why she resigned without a conversation with the group.
An article from The News Tribune about the question of Friday recesses asked for by the defense because of the Muslim faith of Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard), who was on trial for the 1973 killing of a state trooper. The question has been a feature of the trial and the defense, prosecution, and judge continue to argue over it.
A newspaper article from The News Tribune about a day long juryless court session where defense lawyers made numerous motions to dismiss the indictments against Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) who was on trial for the 1973 killing of a state trooper. The judge rejected these motions and the attorneys are scheduled to call witnesses that day.
A newspaper article from The Star Ledger about Superior Court Judge Theodore Appleby ordering defense consultants, the National Jury Project, to stop making calls and contact related to the trial of Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) for the 1973 killing of a state trooper. Appleby said that the calls were approaching obstruction of justice.
Newspaper article from The News Tribune about Superior Court Judge Theodore Appleby barring the testimony of an FBI agent and senator. Chief defense attorney William Kunstler wanted to use the testimony to establish a police conspiracy against Black militants in the trial of Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) for the 1973 killing of a state trooper.