Activity Files, 1965 - 2013

Series — Multiple Containers

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This series contains an array of materials that document Marshall's diverse daily activities as New York State Assemblymember, New York City Councilmember, and Borough President of Queens between the 1980s and mid-2000s (1983-2014). These records also document some of Marshall's activities prior to her political career, such as her teaching career, her involvement with Elmcor (Elmcor Youth and Adult Activities, Inc. is is a Queens-community-based service agency), and her work with the Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center throughout the 1960s and 1970s (1965-1982). The materials in this series include daily schedules, phone logs, lists of names and addresses of politicians, community activists, and volunteers, reports on higher education, environmental issues, criminal justice, children and women's issues, and more.

Dates

1965 - 2013

Language of Materials

From the Collection:

Majority of the materials are written in English. A small quantity of correspondence is in Spanish and Korean. It is possible that there are other languages present throughout the correspondence, though it would be a very small percentage.

Conditions Governing Access

Appointments to examine materials must be made in advance. Please email QC.archives@qc.cuny.edu for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Extent

13.54 Linear Feet

Additional Description

Arrangement

The Activity Files series is arranged into two subseries, one which is Arranged by Subject, and the other which is Arranged by Date. While there is plenty of overlap between the content of these subseries, the Arranfed by Subject subseries emerged due to clearly evident context and file labeling from Marshall's record keeping, while the Arranged by Date subseries was unclear and lacking a coherent organization schema.

Processing Information

The series title, "Activity Files," is derived from Marshall's use of the phrase "Action Files" to label many of her original folders. While Marshall's exact intention in using this descriptor is unknown, the records within reflect a broad range of professional activities about which Marshall was gathering information, corresponding with others, or actively engaged in. To avoid confusion with other potential interpretations of the word "Action" (such as in the "political action committee" sense), the term "Activity" was selected as a more descriptive and inclusive title.