Tucson Council for Civic Unity.

Civil rights group founded in Tucson in 1948, after the founding of the Arizona Council for Civic Unity in Phoenix, also in 1948. Worked with other community agencies towards the abolishment of discriminatory practices in schools, public accommodations, employment. Active until at least 1966, it is unknown as to when the group officially disbanded.

From the description of Records, 1947-1966. (University of Arizona). WorldCat record id: 31769581

Tucson Council for Civic Unity (TCCU) was dedicated "to foster and promote better understanding and relations among people of various racial, religious, social and national backgrounds in Arizona and to promote better conditions among all groups with respect to education, housing, employment, recreation, health and other community problems." It was affiliated with the Arizona Council for Civic Unity (ACCU: incorporated December 21, 1948). The Greater Phoenix Council for Civic Unity was another local agency for the ACCU.

ACCU's founder was Dr. Fred G. Holmes, whose interest in initiating this agency was triggered by President Truman's Commission on Civil Rights' report of 1946, To Secure these Rights . During 1946-1947, Holmes worked with Louis Wirth and Louis E. Hosch of the American Council for Race Relations in Chicago on planning the Arizona Council for Civic Unity. Many well-known Tucsonans were involved with TCCU over the years, including Morris and Stewart Udall, Mr. and Mrs. Morgan Maxwell, Maria Urquides, Rabbi Bilgray, Dorothy Barber, Laura Banks, Thomas Bahti, Harry Gin and Sam Goddard.

The Council contributed to several achievements including the desegregation of Tucson public schools, 1948-1951, and repeal of school segregation laws in Arizona; the passage of the Equal Employment Opportunity bill, 1955; the creation of the Human Relations Commission, 1955; and in many daily local battles against racial and religious discrimination. TCCU's longest struggle was for the passage of the Public Accommodations legislation in the Arizona State Legislature. The effort lasted from 1949-1965, when the Civil Rights bill was finally enacted.

From the guide to the Tucson Council for Civic Unity records, 1948-1966, (University of Arizona Libraries, Special Collections)