Carole Powell Papers

Collection

Identifier: 1991-1

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Collection contains approximately two linear feet (4 document cases) of notes, minutes, financial materials, advertising, photocopies of press releases, mailing lists, voter registration forms, etc. regarding the work and professional relationships of Carole Powell. Other materials included are are those relevant to the organization IMPACT Inc.; general information regarding organizations and projects related to Carole Powell’s work for lesbian and gay political issues; and documents regarding Powell’s appointment as assistant to the Director for Mayor Eugene Sawyer’s 1989 campaign for re-election.

Dates

1988 - 1991

Creator

Powell, D. Carole (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

As per donor instruction, researchers must fill out a researcher agreement form prior to using the materials contained in Series 1 of this collection. That series contains listings of people who registered with the LGVI project and, therefore, might be identified as gay and lesbian even though some of them may not be out. In addition, many addresses and phone numbers are included in these lists that should remain confidential. Standard restrictions apply (see G/H “Confidentiality Agreement” for archives use.)

Biographical / Historical

The collection consists of records of Carole Powell, former treasurer of Lesbian & Gay Voter Impact. D. Carole Powell was born in January, 1946 in Pensacola, Florida. For a time she was co-owner of a women’s bookstore in Nashville, Tennessee. From June of 1989 to May of 1991 she was Gerber/Hart’s treasurer when she resigned that position to move back to Pensacola. During her two years on Gerber/Hart’s board of directors, Carole was also the chair of the fundraising committee and sat on the finance committee.

While in Chicago, Carole was involved in many political-related activities. She was on the board of directors of IMPACT Illinois, Inc. and of the Illinois Gay and Lesbian Task Force (IGLTF). She also organized the “From the Lakefront to the River: Building Progressive Power” conference, held at Truman College on May 21, 1988 to set an agenda for action for North Lakefront progressives. In early 1989, she was hired to serve as an assistant to the Director for Mayor Eugene Sawyer’s campaign and was charged with focusing her attention towards recruiting voters for Mayor Sawyer from gays, lesbians, women and other lakefront voters. In addition, Carole worked for Dr. Ron Sable in his bid for an aldermanic seat in 1991.

Powell was one of Gerber/Hart’s leading donors. In the late 1980s, she started a program whereby she allowed Gerber/Hart volunteers to charge books for the library to her account at Women and Children First Bookstore. The program waned, but was revived by Karen Sendziak (Gerber/Hart Archives Committee Chair) and Carole in November of 1990. From November of 1990 to December of 1995, Carole purchased $2,129.77 worth of new books for Gerber/Hart’s collections. She was also a Gerber/ Hart “sustainer” in 1992 and 1993, donating $1,200 in each of those years to the organization. She continues to purchase tickets to the fall fundraiser, even though she lives in Washington.

[Additional biographical information about Powell can be found within the administration folder for 1991-1]

Extent

4 Linear Feet (4 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

The collection is arranged topically by a prior consulting archivist in 1996.

Physical Location

K1G – K2A (Row K, Bay 1, Shelf G – Row K, Bay 2, Shelf A)

Provenance

The collection was donated in May, 1991 by Carole Powell. It was noted as in “Good” condition.

Separated Materials

One “Get Out The Vote” button sent to Special Collections Memorabilia Section
Three posters sent to Special Collections:
- One “Rally For Human Rights Ordinance” advertising poster
- One “Get up. Stand Up For Your Rights” LGVI poster
- One National Visibility Campaign For the Gay & Lesbian Vote poster
One folder containing six proof sheets and ten photos regarding and from the 1989 IMPACT Dinner sent to Special Collections

Processing Information

Originally processed by Diane Asseln, Consulting archivist. Date: 5 October 1996

Secondary processing by Alyssa Sadusky, consulting archivist. Date: 10 October 2018