African American women – The Arkansas Colored Auxiliary Council: Black Activism during World War I, 1917-1918

Portraits of the women of the Arkansas Colored Auxiliary Council of Defense

Correspondence to H.F.H. Eberts from the Arkansas Council of Defense, 1917 July 3

The Arkansas State Council of Defense is asking H.F.H. Eberts of Pulaski County Council of Defense to do something about the circulation of the “Chicago Defender.” The State Council believed that this publication was causing a change in the overall attitude of the black servants in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Source: Arkansas State Council of Defense, MS.000490, ASA_CouncilDefense_MS490_01_05_46, Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas

Rights: Use and reproduction of images held by the Arkansas State Archives without prior written permission is prohibited. For information on reproducing images held by the Arkansas State Archives, please call 501-682-6900 or email at state.archives@arkansas.gov.

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Correspondence to Victor Olander, Illinois State Council of Defense, 1917 July 5

Victor Olander from the Illinois State Council of Defense suggested that the Arkansas State Council of Defense suppress the spread of the “Chicago Defender” in Arkansas. Olander states that this paper influenced the exodus of the black population from the south.

Source: Arkansas State Council of Defense, MS.000490, ASA_CouncilDefense_MS490_01_05_47, Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas

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Correspondence from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, 1918 October 10

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People wrote to the Arkansas Council of National Defense asking them to ban the showing of “The Birth of a Nation” in the interest of national morale.

Source: Arkansas State Council of Defense, MS.000490, ASA_CouncilDefense_MS490_03_11_27, Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas

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Correspondence from Judge G.B. Ewing to Arkansas State Council of Defense, 1918 October 23

This document was written by Judge G.B. Ewing from Desha County, Arkansas to the Council of Defense asking about black labor shortages. Ewing is claiming that white women were suffering for the war effort while black women are refusing to work as domestic help. He claims that black women were being supported by their male military members and refusing to work as domestic help for white women. Ewing wants to know what legal options are available to force these women to work for white women.

Source: Arkansas State Council of Defense, MS.000490, ASA_CouncilDefense_MS490_03_13_64, Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas

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Correspondence to J.L. Bond, 1918 December 19

The Arkansas State Council of Defense wrote to tell John L. Bond that they would wait to make any decision on the recommendation made by P.L. Dorman. The black council members were not allowed to manage themselves, they were under the direct supervision of John Bond and Wallace Townsend.

Source: Arkansas State Council of Defense, MS.000490, ASA_CouncilDefense_MS490_08_20_21, Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas

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“Colored Patriots of Arkansas, Attention!,” Arkansas Democrat

This article from the Arkansas Democrat, 1918 November 2, showcases the different black leaders who worked with the Council of Defense on the Colored Auxiliary Council. The leaders of the community were trying to raise a minimum of $400,000 dollars during the month of November. The Auxiliary Council had its first meeting on August 10, 1918 and by November the committee was working hard to rise money for the war effort.

Rights: Fair Use” copyright law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code,
Sections 107-118) which allows for the reproduction of the copyrighted material “for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship or research.” (17 U.S.C. Section 107) Any use of these materials for commercial purposes or in excess of Title 17 Section 107 will be subject to the law for copyright infringement.

“Colored People and the War Work Campaign,” Arkansas Democrat

This article from the Arkansas Democrat, 1918 October 23, details the black communities’ work on the War Campaign for the Colored Auxiliary Council. The Council wanted to raise $400,00 on behalf of the African American population. Prior to the advent of the Colored Auxiliary Council, the work of the black community in Arkansas was counted with the rest of the Arkansas population, but after this point, the donations were to be keep separated.

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Council of Defense Registration Cards, Mrs. A. Henry

The Women’s Council of Defense registration card for enrollment to work in the war effort. Information includes name, age, address, marital status, country of birth, color, time that could be devoted for service, occupation, education, physical health, and information about what kind of work each woman was qualified to do. This card was filled out by Mrs. A. Henry from Van Buren, Arkansas registering for the Women’s Council.

Source: Council of Defense Records, MS.000490, Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Rights: Arkansas State Archives without prior written permission is prohibited. For information on reproducing images held by the Arkansas State Archives, please call 501-682-6900 or email at state.archives@arkansas.gov.

Correspondence from J.L. Bond, to Wallace Townsend

The Director of the State Council of Defense, Wallace Townsend, was reporting the activity of P.L. Dorman and the Colored Auxiliary Council.

Source: Arkansas State Council of Defense, MS.000490, ASA_CouncilDefense_MS490_08_20_10, Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas

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