Guide to the Ida L. Jackson Papers

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1 No online items Marianne Carden; Jennifer E. Johnson (rev.); Sean Heyliger (rev.) African American Museum and Library at Oakland th Street Oakland, California Phone: (510) Fax: (510) URL: African American Museum & Library at Oakland. All rights reserved. MS 39 1

2 Collection number: MS 39 African American Museum and Library at Oakland Oakland, California Processed by: Marianne Carden; Jennifer E. Johnson (rev.); Sean Heyliger (rev.) Date Completed: 05/31/2013 Encoded by: Sean Heyliger 2013 African American Museum & Library at Oakland. All rights reserved. Descriptive Summary Title: Ida L. Jackson papers Dates: Collection number: MS 39 Creator: Jackson, Ida L., Collection Size: 1 linear foot(2 boxes) Repository: African American Museum & Library at Oakland (Oakland, Calif.) Oakland, CA Abstract: The Ida L. Jackson papers encompass certificates, pamphlets, programs, correspondence, and photographs documenting her activities as the first African American public school teacher in Oakland and as the founder of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority on the West Coast. Languages: Languages represented in the collection: English Access No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public. Access Restrictions Materials are for use in-library only, non-circulating. Publication Rights Permission to publish from the Ida L. Jackson must be obtained from the African American Museum & Library at Oakland. Preferred Citation Ida L. Jackson papers, MS 39, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California. Processing Information Originally processed by Marianne Carden, Finding aid updated by Jennifer E. Johnson in 2006 and Sean Heyliger in 2013 and 2016 for additions.oral history interviews transferred to the East Bay Negro Historical Society Records, MS 32, July Biography / Administrative History Ida Louise Jackson ( ) was born October 12, 1902 in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Jackson's father, Reverend Pompey Jackson, was a former slave born in Alabama, and her mother, Nellie Jackson, was born in New Orleans. Jackson was the eighth and last child born to Pompey Jackson and Nellie Jackson, their only girl. Raised in a family that emphasized education, Jackson graduated from Cherry Street High School in 1914, and then attended Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi. After a short time at Rust College, Jackson moved on to New Orleans University (now Dillard University), graduating in 1917 with a normal (teaching) degree. Jackson's thesis at New Orleans University, entitled "Education as a means of permanent peace," reflects Jackson's developing commitment to progress and empowerment through education. Shortly after graduation, Jackson began to teach classes at Peck School, a division of New Orleans University. Later that same year, Jackson and her mother left the South, following her brothers who had moved to Oakland, California. Once settled in Oakland, Jackson continued her education, beginning courses at the University of California, Berkeley in At MS 39 2

3 the time, Jackson was one of only eight African American women and nine African American men enrolled at U.C. Berkeley. In 1921, while attending U.C. Berkeley, Ida founded the Rho Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the oldest Greek-letter society for African American women in the United States. Jackson would remain active with Alpha Kappa Alpha throughout her life. In 1922, Jackson received an AB in vocational guidance, counseling and education. After being told by the Oakland Public School system that she would need more education, she returned to U.C. Berkeley, earning her Master's degree in After earning her Master's degree, Jackson was again denied a position with Oakland Public; this time they told her she required more teaching experience. With this in mind, Jackson moved to the Imperial Valley, and began teaching at East Side High School in El Centro, California, where parents of minority children had demanded a non-white teacher. Jackson became the first African American woman to teach high school in California, and was certified by the state to do so. In 1925, Jackson received a long term substitute position at the Prescott School, becoming the first African American woman to teach in the integrated Oakland Public Schools. Early on, many teachers protested Jackson's employment; in effort to appease protestors, the superintendent of schools assured them that Jackson's appointment was on a long term substitute basis. In the end, Jackson taught in Oakland for 28 years. As Jackson's professional life grew, so did her commitment and involvement with Alpha Kappa Alpha organization. In 1926 she attended a Boule in Columbus, Ohio, where she was elected to head the Far Western Region, a post she held until By 1932, Jackson had reached the position of First Supreme Anti-Basileus, and then Supreme Basileus from It was during this period of her life that Jackson's eyes were opened to another of her lifelong passions. In 1933, Jackson attended a musical performance by youths from Mississippi, and was awakened to the plight of poor, rural African Americans living in the Deep South. In 1934, Jackson organized the Alpha Kappa Alpha mobile health clinic in Lexington, Mississippi to treat impoverished children. For nearly a decade, Jackson, along with volunteer doctors, nurses, dentists, and other educators from Alpha Kappa Alpha, would travel to Mississippi to conduct mobile health clinics. During this period over 14,500 children were immunized against diphtheria and smallpox, and adults were treated for malaria. Dental hygiene was also prioritized; each child was given a new toothbrush with instructions for use. In the first summer alone, the clinic covered some 5,000 miles. In 1935, in addition to the mobile health clinics, Jackson organized and helped fund a six week summer school in Lexington, Mississippi for rural African American teachers, and illiterate adults and children. It was about this time that Jackson's humanitarian efforts were beginning to gamer national attention. In 1934, Franklin Delano Roosevelt invited Jackson to attend the nation's Christmas tree lighting ceremony, and Mrs. Roosevelt invited Jackson to attend a conference at the White House, where Mrs. Roosevelt became an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha. Around 1935, Jackson took leave from her teaching position in Oakland. During this period, Jackson attended Columbia University's Teacher's College in New York, completing coursework towards a Ph.D. She also served as the Dean of Women at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, and assisted Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune in the organization of the National Council of Negro Women, of which Jackson was a life member. In 1953 Jackson retired from teaching in Oakland. She spent the better part of the next two decades at her ranch in Mendocino County, California, until returning to Oakland in the 1970s. In 1970, Jackson was a contributor to Irving Stone's book, There Was Light, a collection of essays by U.C. Berkeley alumni. By 1971 Jackson was elected to the "Berkeley Fellows" honorary society, and in 1974 the American Association of University Women, San Francisco branch, awarded a grant in her honor. In 1981 the NAACP named Jackson "Outstanding Woman 1981" at the second annual Women's Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. Ida Louise Jackson died on March 8, Scope and Content of Collection The Ida L. Jackson papers encompass certificates, pamphlets, programs, correspondence, and photographs documenting her activities as the first African American public school teacher in Oakland and as the founder of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority on the west coast. The papers also include an article written by Jackson for the National Association of College Women in Challenges she encountered as an African American teacher are also revealed in correspondence. For example, a letter written to her regarding her attendance at a National Education Association meeting in Miami Beach offers advice on handling possible discrimination in housing arrangements. The papers also encompass a copy of her M.A. thesis discussing educational issues for African-American children. Jackson's contributions as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority are documented in pamphlets regarding the projects of the Public Health Committee. Two copies of the sorority's newsletters, Ivy Leaf, summarize some of Jackson's accomplishments and provide insight into the sorority's goals and activities. In addition, the papers include certificates and programs from specific events in the sorority's history. A collection of photographs provides a visual record of Jackson's civic activities, participation in sorority events, and family life. Arrangement Series I. Photographs Series II. Personal papers Indexing Terms MS 39 3

4 The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Jackson, Ida Louise, African American teachers -- California -- Oakland. Photographs Physical Description: 161 photographs Series Scope and Content Summary Includes photographs of Ida L. Jackson's friends, family, and classmates at Rust College. Arrangement Arranged by photograph identification number. Two women in field with three story building in the background, caption: 'Crawford, Ill. Alberta Bhrent Arkansas' [001] circa 1915 Three women sitting on grass with building in the background, caption: 'Ora Lee, Mozena, Fannie' [002] circa 1915 Gladys [?] Swayze [003] circa 1910s Woman sitting on lawn with buildings in the background, caption: 'Albert Rose, Yazoo City, Miss.' [004] circa 1910s Two women and a man on porch steps, caption: 'Mrs. [-], Anderson, Ida' [005] circa Man in suit standing next to tree, reverse: 'Ritchie '19' [006] 1919 Woman sitting next to dog in backyard [007] circa Woman in white dress standing in backyard, caption: 'Alma West' [008] circa Mattie Nelson and Willa Evans standing on porch steps [009] circa Coral Gilmore and Elliot Johnson standing in front of house [010] circa Ida Jackson and 'Mrs. Roland' standing on steps [011] circa Woman standing in front of brick wall [012] circa 1910s Man in suit and hat standing in wooden area [013] circa 1910s Woman holding a chicken in chicken coop [014] circa 1910s Woman standing next to two men, caption: 'Leona Heights, Oak.' [015] circa Ida Jackson and Mrs. Nelson standing on porch steps [016] circa Group photograph in backyard, reverse: 'Barbecue the Overton's at San Jose, Walter Butler 1928' [017] 1928 Man in suit standing on front steps, caption: 'Hays Sands' [018] circa Reola Anderson and Ida Jackson standing in backyard [019] 1919 Man in bow tie and hat [020] circa Man reclining in field [021] circa Two men in field [022] circa Ida Jackson and man sitting on front porch [023] circa Woman standing in field: reverse: 'Hennie D. Jeffries 783 Hillsboro St. Raleigh, N.C. 1918' [024] 1918 Woman standing at desk in cap and gown, reverse: 'To Ida from Jaunita' [025] circa Sheep grazing in Golden Gate Park [026] circa Ida Jackson standing on fence in Golden Gate Park [027] circa Man sitting on fence in Golden Gate Park [028] circa Man standing in yard with two women in the background, caption: 'Ritchie in Ida's shot' [029] circa Two men and a woman sitting in a field [030] circa Shoreline resort Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, Hawaii [031] circa Man in uniform standing in front of building with enclosed porch [032] circa Coral Gilmore standing next to car [033] circa 1910s MS 39 4

5 Photographs Three men in uniform sitting next to building with Red Cross truck parked in street [034] circa 1910s Man in a suit standing in front of house [035] circa Man in a suit standing in front of house [036] circa Four women and a man sitting on front porch [037] circa Hazel Leonard [038] circa 1910s Sather Gate [039] circa Portrait of man in suit [040] circa Two men and a woman standing in front of house, reverse: 'Maude Jones, Vicksburg, Miss. John Davis Vicksburg and Oakland, William E. Jackson, Vicksburg and Oak. Maude's visit 1927 Oakland th St. Oakland' [041] 1927 Woman standing in backyard, reverse: 'Baranco from Louisiana' [042] circa Two men in suits standing next to palms [043] 1925 Aerial view of downtown Oakland and Lake Merritt [044] circa Aerial view of downtown Oakland [045] circa Aerial view of downtown Oakland and Lake Merritt [046] circa Coastline, Del Monte Lodge, Pebble Beach, California [047] circa Coastline, caption: 'where we saw a 'peli'' [048] circa Woman standing on the beach, caption: 'Hortense Taylor USC [-]' [049] circa River, reverse: 'looks like the delta' [050] circa Leona Heights sitting on a hill [051] 1919 Ida Jackson and Mrs. Stephens, caption: 'Mrs. Stephens and me after the drive' [052] circa 1910s Ram's horn trees, Monterey, California [053] circa 1910s Louise and Lewis standing next to a car [054] circa Woman standing next to car, reverse: 'Louise, Washington D.C.' [055] circa Ida Jackson and Louise standing next to car [056] circa Ida Jackson, Louise, and Lewis standing next to a car [057] circa Lee Purnell, Ida Jackson, and Lewis standing next to car [058] circa Ida Jackson and Lee Purnell standing next to car [059] circa Lee Purnell and Lewis standing next to car [060] circa Lee Purnell, Louise, and Lewis standing next to car [061] circa Ida Jackson standing next to car [062] circa Ida Jackson, Lee Purnell, and Louise standing next to car [063] circa Woman standing next to fence [064] circa Two women and child standing in wooden area, reverse: 'Nellie at a picnic, Pinehurst June 21' [065] 1921 Man and woman standing in road next to a crowd, caption: 'Walter Butler and Mrs[-]' [066] circa Virginia Stephens standing in field, caption: 'Virginia' [067] circa Virginia Stephens sitting on rock at Lover's Point, Pacific Grove [068] circa Bill Pitman and Herman [-] [069] circa Ida Jackson and man sitting on front porch [070] circa Woman walking down steps [071] circa Ida Jackson and Virginia Stephens in backyard, Del Monte [072] circa Ida Jackson standing in front of the natural bridge, Pacific Grove [073] circa Woman leaning against a tree [074] circa Group of men and women having a picnic beneath a tree [075] 1921 Group of men and women standing in a field [076] circa Maude Jones standing next to house [077] circa Man standing on road with car and a barn in the background [078] 1925 Man and woman next to Wells Fargo bank, reverse: 'Anderson and friend' [079] circa Man and two women [080] circa Coral Gilmore and 'grandma' standing in front of water tower [081] circa Woman and two men sitting in park [082] circa Man and woman standing next to house [083] circa Man and woman standing in park [084] circa MS 39 5

6 Photographs Man and woman standing next to thatched building at beach [085] 1925 Man and woman sitting next to pillar, caption: 'Alice and Eugene' [086] circa Five women in car, reverse: 'I think its' Thelma Brown at the wheel, Eleanor Randolph right fender, Ida Jackson sitting on top, Carolyn Cunningham's leg left on fender' [087] circa Beth Pierre standing in front yard, caption: 'Yours soro, Beth' [088] circa Ida Jackson, unidentified woman, Ella Butler, Mrs. Funsette at picnic at Morgan Hill [089] circa Sand dune at Imperial Valley [090] 1925 Two men standing on a hill [091] 1924 Men and women sitting on a rock [092] 1924 Woman sitting on a rock [093] 1924 Two women and a man standing in a field of flowers [094] circa Two men and a woman sitting in a field [095] circa Two women sitting on a bench [096] 1924 Samuel Jackson with foot on chair in backyard [097] circa Wade Anderson standing in front of Wells Fargo bank building [098] circa Wade Anderson standing in front of Carter's Boarding Kennel [099] circa Wade Anderson standing in front of house [100] circa Ida Jackson and woman standing on rocks, Asilomar State Beach [101] 1923 Three women sitting on rocks, Asilomar State Beach [102] 1923 Men and women sitting beneath trees [103] circa Sand dunes at Asilomar Beach [104] 1921 Juanita Black standing in a field [105] circa Lois Gibson and Juanita Black [106] circa Man and woman sitting on hillside [107] circa Man leaning against rock structure [108] circa Emmett leaning against staircase [109] circa Emmett leaning against staircase, caption: 'our first home in Oakland' [110] circa Anne Marie English standing on front steps, reverse: 'Emmett's friend from Vicksburg, Miss.' [112] circa Man standing in front yard [112] circa Herman Lewis holding a cane in front of house [113] circa Ida Jackson, Vivian Strawhorn, and two women standing on sidewalk [114 A/B] circa Marguerite [-], Linda Johnson, and unidentified woman [115] circa L.A. [?] Dunham, 2331 Chestnut, Vicksburg, Mississippi [116] circa Woman standing in backyard, reverse: 'Elizabeth Memphis' [117] circa Woman sitting on a log, reverse: 'Alma?' [118] undated Man in suit standing in park [119] circa Alma Johnson, Ed Shivers, Florence, Ida Jackson, and Horice [?] [120] circa Mrs. N. [?] Miller [121] circa Florabelle, Horice, Pearl, Vivian, Elise, and Ida Jackson in front of house, New Orleans [122] circa Sophie Clark sitting on steps, New Orleans [123] circa Portrait of a woman [124] circa Woman standing in yard, El Centro, California [125] 1925 Anna D. Scott, Cedella Jackson, and Ida Jackson, Rust College, Holy Springs, Mississippi [126] 1915 Woman lying on grass next to brick building [127] circa 1910s Anna M. and unidentified woman sitting on park bench, Grenada, Mississippi [128] circa 1910s Three women sitting in a field, caption: 'Cedella, Frances, Gladys' [129] circa 1910s Florabelle, Alma Johnson, Ida Jackson, and Lockley [?] at Rust College [130] circa 1915 Edward Shivers in Rust College baseball uniform [131] circa 1915 Cliff Audrey, Fannie, and Florence sitting on a bench, Rust College [132] circa 1915 MS 39 6

7 Photographs Woman leaning on hedge, reverse: 'Sadie' [133] circa 1910s Four women with hands on their hips standing on lawn with building in background [134] circa 1910s Three women sitting next to tennis court, Rust College, reverse: 'From my daughter Willie Mae Posey' [135] circa 1910s Sleeping car porter standing next to train pointing [136] undated Man sitting on park bench, reverse: 'Evans' [137] circa Ethel Waters standing next to tree in backyard [138] undated Schoolgirls holding books standing on school steps [139] undated Mattie Nelson standing in backyard [140] circa Wade Anderson and Mattie Nelson standing in yard [141] circa Portrait of woman holding baby, reverse: 'To Ida, From Mrs. Mrs. Forbroaud [?] baby New Orleans U. Dr. Farkes' [?] wife Physics Dept' [142] circa 1910s Portrait of woman, reverse: 'Mrs. Hubbard Chicago' [143] circa 1910s Woman standing on porch [144] circa Net leaning against house [145] undated Ida Jackson, Clyde Bonner, and Nellie Bonner standing next to tree [146] undated Portrait of Ida Jackson, reverse: 'New York while studying for doctorate at Columbia TC' [147] 1935 Holiday card with family sitting in front of fire place, caption: 'Warm & cheery season greetings Mark-Peter-Mary' [148] undated Ida Jackson in a fur coat [149] 1956 Portrait of Ida Jackson [150] circa 1980s Ruth Acty and Ida Jackson sitting at banquet table at the Alpha Nu Omega African Ball [151] 1979 Nellie Bonner and Carolyn Bonner standing in front of fire place, reverse: 'Nellie Bonner and Carolyn [152] circa 1950s Harry Orinda [?] [153] 1978 Portrait of Jammel Oden [154] circa 1980s Man and woman cutting cake, reverse: 'To my dear Miss Jackson with Love, Gity and Larry' [155] circa 1970s Group of women standing at church altar, reverse: 'AKA 50th anniversary' [156] 1979 Woman speaking at podium, reverse: 'Soro Ida Jackson on stage with others after introducing Miss Angie Brooks, President of the 24th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, Berkeley, CA' [157] 1970 Group photograph following the reception given by Alpha Nu Omega chapter for Angie Brooks appearance at Community Theatre Berkeley [158] 1970 Ida Jackson in receiving line with Angie Brooks [159] 1970 Angie Brooks signing autographs following reception [160] 1970 Portrait of Ida Jackson [161] circa 1990s Personal papers Physical Description: 6 folders Series Scope and Content Summary Includes assorted correspondence, award, programs, pamphlets, and a copy of Ida L. Jackson's master's thesis. Arrangement Arranged by format. Box 2:3 Correspondence Box 2:4 Award certificate 1957 Printed material Pamphlets Alpha Kappa Alpha, The Ivy Leaf Box 2:5 Volume 7, Number Box 2:5 Volume 13, number Box 2:5 Dunn, Fannie W. (ed.), Guidance in rural schools 1942 Box 2:5 Ida Jackson: overcoming barriers in education [2 copies] 1995 MS 39 7

8 Personal papers Box 2:6 Journal of the National Association of College Women 1935 Box 2:6 Miller, E.F., The shout of victory for gospel meetings undated Box 2:6 Pierce, Anna Eloise, Catalog of student health literature 1927 Programs Box 2:7 New Orleans University commencement program 1917 Box 2:7 The friendly Committee of St. Augustine s P.E. Mission presents The Belle of Barcelona Spanish operetta in 3 acts, Berkeley High School Auditorium 1935 Box 2:7 Alpha Kappa Alpha, Alpha Nu Omega chapter presents her excellency Miss Angie E. Brooks 1970 Box 2:7 University of California, Berkeley, Phi Beta Kappa spring initiation 1974 Box 2:7 Black perspectives: past, present, and future 1975 Box 2:7 Lifetimes of achievement 1992 Box 2:7 Ida Louise Jackson, funeral program 1996 Box 2:7 Alpha Kappa Alpha, Alpha Nu Omega chapter dental health program undated Master's thesis, Rate of development of Negro children in relation to education [reproduction] [1988] 1923 MS 39 8

Irene Cobb Papers #2918 1

Irene Cobb Papers #2918 1 Descriptive Summary: Creator: Irene Cobb, New Hope Baptist Church Title: Irene Cobb Papers Inclusive Dates: 1886-1991 Bulk Dates: 1960-1989 Abstract: The Irene Cobb Papers consist