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Ellyn F. Walters Collection, Circa 1950-2012

 

Summary

Extent:
6 Hollinger Boxes
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Ellyn F. Walters Collection, African American Research Library and Cultural Center, Broward County Library.

Background

Scope and content:

The Ellyn F. Walters Collection contains correspondence, professional papers, programs, photographs, awards, objects, and a scrapbook belonging to Ellyn F. Walters of Fort Lauderdale, Florida during her service as a teacher, fundraiser, and community leader.

Biographical / historical:

Ellyn Ferguson Walters was born on December 26, 1926 to parents Joseph Ferguson, Sr. and Rosetta Baskin Ferguson in Alachua County, Florida. Ellyn moved to Broward County at the age of four to join her extended family after her mother passed away. She was raised by her aunt, Ethel Warren, in Deerfield Beach. Ellyn Walters attended Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She graduated from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, and completed a graduate level Early Childhood Education certificate from Florida Atlantic University. After graduating from FAMU, Ellyn returned to her childhood church, St. John United Methodist Church. She served on the trustee board and chaired the Administrative Council. She held many positions such as Secretary of Charge Conference, Chairwoman of the Pastor Parish Relations, Historian, Lay Leader for special programs and youth activities. She was a charter member of the Delta Eta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc, and past President of the local chapter, co-sponsor of the first African American Debutante Cotillion in Broward County, Charter Member and Past President of the National Association of Negro Business and Professionals Women's Clubs, and past President of the Northwest Democratic Club. Ellyn Walters was a teacher in the Broward County Public School system for 41 years until her retirement in 1992. She taught at Dillard Elementary School and Northside Elementary School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Ellyn participated in the Friends of the Von D. Mizell Library since 1976. She became president in 1981 and served until 2002. As the Executive Chair of the Community Fundraising Committee, Ellyn led a volunteer group of community leaders to achieve a contribution of over $700,000 toward the construction of the African American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC) in 2002. The Ellyn F. Walters Conference Room at AARLCC was dedicated in her honor in 2004.

She married Matthew "Bud" Walters, Sr. (1918-1991). They were married for 39 years and had two children, Karen W. Blount and Matthew J. Walters, Jr. Ellyn passed away on September 8, 2012 after suffering from an unknown illness.

Processing information:

This collection received file level processing. This finding aid may be updated to reflect new descriptions as well as acquisitions to the collection.

Arrangement:

The Ellyn F. Walters Collection is arranged into five series: Series I. Professional Papers, Series II. Photographs, Series III. Awards, Series IV. Correspondence, and Series V. Objects.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Ellyn F. Walters Collection is open for research.

Preferred citation:

Ellyn F. Walters Collection, African American Research Library and Cultural Center, Broward County Library.

Location of this collection:
African American Research Library and Cultural Center, Broward County Library
2650 Sistrunk Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale
FL
33311
USA