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Sallye Brooks Mathis Papers, 1934-2015

 

Summary

Extent:
3.83 Linear Feet
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Sallye Brooks Mathis Papers, Thomas G. Carpenter Library, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection is home to the personal papers of Sallye Brooks Mathis, one of Jacksonville, Florida's first Black women elected to its city council. These papers provide insight into the professional, political, and activist career of Mathis and the effect she had in shaping Jacksonville.

Series in this collection include the following:

Series 1 — Awards and Certificates (arranged chronologically) houses awards certificates, metals, plaques, and trophies that honor Sallye Brooks Mathis and her accomplishments.

Series 2 — City Council / Governmental (arranged alphabetically by sub-series).

Sub-Series 1 — Business Cards and Contacts houses the contact information of city council officials and associates of Mathis.

Sub-Series 2 — Elections (arranged chronologically) contains documents pertaining to Sallye Mathis' city council elections and campaigns.

Sub-Series 3 — Miscellaneous (arranged chronologically) houses governmental guides and deed books, as well as a conference ID.

Sub-Series 4 — Name Plates houses plaques and signs displaying Mathis' tenure throughout various districts on the Jacksonville City Council.

Sub-Series 5 — Newspaper clippings (arranged chronologically) houses newspaper articles concerning Mathis' professional career.

Sub-Series 6 — Photos (arranged chronologically) consists of photos of Mathis working on the Jacksonville City Council.

Series 3 — Miscellaneous houses one item, a 4H Insignia.

Series 4 — Obituaries and Death (arranged chronologically) consists of various documents detailing and honoring the deaths of Sallye Mathis, her mother, and others.

Series 5 — Personal (arranged alphabetically by sub-series).

Sub-Series 1 — Correspondence (arranged chronologically) contains short personal letters from friends.

Sub-Series 2 — Education (arranged chronologically) consists of various diplomas and yearbooks from Mathis' time as a graduate student and teacher.

Sub-Series 3 — Photos/Family Ephemera (arranged chronologically) houses various photos of family and tintypes and daguerreotypes of unknown peoples believed to be bought by the Mathis or Solomon family for personal collection.

Series 6 — Scrapbook. This series houses a large scrapbook filled with newspaper clippings detailing Mathis' political career.

Biographical / historical:

Sallye Brooks Mathis, born on May 18, 1912, in Jacksonville, Florida, embarked upon her academic journey by obtaining an Associate of Arts Degree from Bethune-Cookman College. Following this, she pursued advanced studies at the Tuskegee Institute, ultimately graduating with her masters from the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. Her degrees earned were all in education. Her professional career unfolded as a distinguished educator in the Duval County Public School system, where she imparted knowledge to elementary school students and dispensed her expertise in high school history at Matthew Gilbert High School over a span of 28 years.

Beyond the confines of the classroom, Mathis demonstrated a fervent commitment to civil rights, rendering substantial service to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Instrumental in spearheading voter registration initiatives and orchestrating local events, her advocacy extended to membership in the League of Women Voters. The local NAACP chapter, recognizing her indomitable dedication, established an annual community service award in her honor. In 1967, Mathis etched her name in history as one of the first women and African Americans elected to the Jacksonville City Council.

Her legislative endeavors during her tenure on the City Council were indicative of her unwavering commitment to societal equity. Initiatives included the proposal for a Citizens' Police Review Board, advocacy for freely accessible public toilets, championing equal job opportunities in public agencies, and the advocacy for reduced bus fares for senior citizens. In 1977, Mathis assumed the mantle of founder for the Minority Women's Coalition (MWC), an organization designed to nurture the comprehensive development of women through educational and professional avenues while encouraging civic engagement. The MWC's core mission is geared towards the enhancement of educational opportunities through an annual scholarship awards program and the provision of emergency assistance to vulnerable families facing existential threats.

Acknowledging Mathis's formidable contributions to education, a Jacksonville school was christened the Sallye B. Mathis Elementary School in her honor. The campaign to immortalize Mathis's legacy was led by her sister, Grace Brooks Solomon. Solomon was an advocate for racial equality and education much like her sister. Subsequently, Solomon assumed the presidency of the MWC. Sallye Brooks Mathis passed away in 1982 at the age of 70, leaving an enduring legacy in Jacksonville that secured her a distinguished position in the Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame.

Acquisition information:
The collection was acquired through donation from Brooke M. Stephens, 2017-07-27 and 2018-12-18.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research by appointment only. Please contact lib-special@unf.edu to schedule an appointment.

Terms of access:

Materials in the collection may be subject to copyright and are to be used for private study, scholarship, or research in accordance with the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code). Use of reproductions of copyrighted works in excess of "fair use," may result in the user's liability for copyright infringment and be subject to the civil and criminal penalties of federal law. Visit the United States Copyright Office's website at http://www.copyright.gov/ for further information.

Preferred citation:

Sallye Brooks Mathis Papers, Thomas G. Carpenter Library, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida.

Location of this collection:
Thomas G. Carpenter Library
1 UNF Drive
Jacksonville
FL
32224
USA