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Helen E. Walsh served in the Women's Army Corps from September 1942 to October 1945. She served as an artificer in Oran, Algeria, North Africa; Caserta, Italy; and Dijon, France. She earned three major battle stars for her service close to the front lines in three major battle areas of the European Theater, including Rome-Arno, North Apennines, and Rhineland. She was a Sergeant Major when she received an honorable medical discharge. Walsh remained active in the National Association of Women's Veterans, and kept extensive scrapbooks about her own service in the WAC, and of World War II in general.

The collection documents the civic, political, and environmental activism of Helen Ferris, a long-time Fort Lauderdale resident and noted watchdog of Port Everglades. Materials reflect Ferris's extensive engagement with issues of public governance, environmental stewardship, and community advocacy from the mid 1970s through the early 2000s. Much of the collection highlights industrial activities and development projects proposed or undertaken at Port Everglades during this period, including a wastewater treatment plant, sludge plant, waste incinerator facility, asphalt plant, scrap metal recycling plant, and a proposed pipeline across Central Florida.