Southerners for Economic Justice records, 1977-2001.

ArchivalResource

Southerners for Economic Justice. Southerners for Economic Justice records, 1977-2001.

Southerners for Economic Justice records, 1977-2001.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/476227659

Records, 1977-2001, of Southerners for Economic Justice document the organization under the leadership of its first three directors: James Sessions, Leah Wise, and Cynthia D. Brown. Administrative records document the everyday operations and strategic planning of SEJ, as well as the organizational culture of a non-profit organization. Project and subject files document programmatic work, grassroots organizing, and related interests of the organization, especially unemployment due to plant closings, racist violence, environmental racism, shrinking union membership, contingent work, workplace health and safety reform, leadership training for minority women and youth, and literacy. Subject files also show collaboration with churches and like-minded organizations and grassroots activists at local, state, regional, national, and international levels to build and participate in support networks and coalition groups, including the Southeast Regional Economic Justice Network, among many others. Highlights of SEJ's documented activist work include the J. P. Stevens campaign; the Schlage Lock campaign; the workers' bill of rights for city employees of Durham, N.C.; Betrayal of Trust: Stories of Working North Carolinians, a report published in 1989 that documents workplace discrimination and wrongful firing of workers; the Hamlet, N.C., coalition for workplace safety reform; the Working Women's Organizing Project; Youth for Social Change; and Voices of Experience, a collaborative group that advised and advocated for people experiencing welfare reform. Other materials include an extensive collection of economic and social justice newsletters and photographs, chiefly documenting SEJ meetings and events, but also showing Durham, N.C., scenes.

About 87700 items (178.5 linear feet).

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill