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Colleen Lunsford Bevis collection, 1966-2000, Date acquired: 01/01/2000, bulk 1971-1995

 

Summary

Creator:
Bevis, Colleen Lunsford, 1916-2013
Abstract:
Materials documenting the extensive work of child welfare advocate Colleen Bevis in Hillsborough County, Florida.
Extent:
4.50 Linear Feet
9 boxes
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Colleen Lunsford Bevis collection, USF Libraries - Tampa Special Collections, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL.

Background

Scope and content:

The Bevis Collection consists of documents and other materials detailing Bevis' work as an advocate for the mental and social health and well-being of children in Hillsborough County, Florida.  The bulk of the archive reflects Bevis' professional service and commitment to child welfare, with particular emphasis on the development of such local and state-wide organizations as the Hillsborough County Children's Board, SEDNET and the Colleen Bevis School at the Florida Mental Health Institute. A small amount of materials (one box) are personal in nature. Researchers may be interested in the collection's usefulness for chronicling the evolution of child welfare services in Hillsborough County as related to mental and emotional health.

Biographical / historical:

"Colleen Bevis has established a legacy which will long endure because she is a teacher of teachers. Using her uncanny ability to recognize and develop the latent talents of others, she has amassed a following of disciples who advocate for children as ardently as she does." (Former City of Tampa [FL] Mayor Sandy Freedman)

Colleen Lunsford Bevis' long history as a child advocate began in the 1950s with a stint on the PTA (Parent-Teacher Association) of her children's school. As a proponent for the mental and emotional health and well-being of children, teenagers, and young adults, Bevis' child welfare leadership and volunteerism garnered praise at local, state, and national levels for nearly 50 years. An influential member of numerous child advocacy boards, Bevis received both formal and informal citations for her work. Two schools have been named in her honor – the Colleen Lunsford Bevis School (Florida Mental Health Institute) and Bevis Elementary (Hillsborough County Public Schools) – as well as a resource center. In 1999, former City of Tampa Mayor Dick Greco proclaimed January 8 "Colleen Lunsford Bevis Day." Bevis continued volunteering locally, serving on the Children's Board of Hillsborough County (1992 – 2009) and the District 6 Department of Children and Families Health and Human Services Board (1992 – 2009), until her death in 2013.

Acquisition information:

Colleen Lunsford Bevis

Donation

Processing information:

processed

Arrangement:

Series

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The materials contained in Box 11 are confidential and have been restricted from general public use.  Researchers with a documented need to access these materials must request approval prior to visiting the Library.  Formal requests may be made to the USF Libraries Special Collections at (813) 974-2731.

Terms of access:

The contents of this collection may be subject to copyright.  Visit the United States Copyright Office's website at http://www.copyright.gov/for more information.

Preferred citation:

Colleen Lunsford Bevis collection, USF Libraries - Tampa Special Collections, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL.

Location of this collection:
The University of South Florida, Tampa Campus
4202 East Fowler Ave. LIB122
Tampa
FL
33620-5400
USA