For a list of the images in this collection click here and go to the WHMC photograph database
The collection was donated to the University of Missouri-St. Louis at the Western Historical Manuscript Collection-St. Louis by Maggie Dagen on February 7, 2000. This material was collected for use in a book titled Victory without Violence by Mary Kimbrough and Margaret W. Dagen.
In 1941, a group of theological seminary students, both African Americans and White, began the committee of Racial Equality at the University of Chicago. They met every Saturday afternoon on campus. The members of the group were primarily concerned about the cause of peace. They had followed with keen interest the Gandhi movement in India and were greatly influenced in their thinking by the power of the nonviolent method as expounded by Gandhi and as practiced by the Indian National Congress.
The St. Louis chapter of CORE started in 1947 with a guest speaker named Bernice Fisher. She galvanized the group into action that was destined to alter the racial climate of St. Louis. Fisher resided in St. Louis and worked as an organizer for the United Wholesale and Distribution Workers of America, which later became the Teamsters Union. She was instrumental in the early discussions held at Irvin and Maggie Dagen's home. The meetings consisted of a diverse group of people, who would be responsible for integrating Washington University, and most St. Louis' public accommodations.
SCOPE AND CONTENT This collection documents CORE's history, political activities, and service to the community. The records include correspondence, transcripts, oral history tapes, and photographs.
SERIES DESCRIPTIONS
Series 1 Core's History, 1941-1957, f. 1.
Series 2 Correspondence, 1954-1957, f. 2. Arranged chronologically.
Series 3 Fairgrounds Park Incident, f. 3
Series 4 Irvin Dagen articles from the St. Louis Argus, f. 4
Series 5 Publications, 1951-1999, f. 5. Arranged chronologically.
Series 6 Transcripts, f. 6-31, Arranged alphabetically.
Series 7 Photographs, f. 32-35. Arranged chronologically.
Series 8 Tapes. Arranged chronologically.
FOLDER LISTING
Box 1
Series One - CORE'S History
1. CORE'S History, 1941-1957
Series Two - Correspondence
2. Correspondence, 1954-2000
Series Three - Fairgrounds Park Incident
3. Fairgrounds Park Incident, 1949 by George Schermer
Series Four - Irvin Dagen articles from the St. Louis Argus
4. Articles from the St. Louis Argus by Irvin Dagen
Series Five - Publications
5. Publications, 1951-1999
Box 2
Series Six - Transcripts
6. Joe Ames
7. Joyce Best
8. Steve Best
9. William K. Crosby
10. Irvin and Maggie Dagen
11. Maggie Dagen
12. Vivian Dreer
13. Vernell E. Fuller Sr.
14. Walter L. Hayes
15. Henry Hodge
16. Mary M. McAllister
17. Doris M. Nugent
18. Charles Oldham
19. Marion Oldham
20. Alice M. Parham
21. Al and Ann Park
22. Rose Parnas
23. Wanda Penny
24. Marvin Rich
25. Vera Rhiney
26. Bonnie Rosen
27. Norman Seay
28. Eleanor Smith
29. Billie Teneau
30. Irene M. Williams
31. Norman E. Winkler
Series Seven - Photographs
32. Maggie Dagen and Irvin Dagen, 661.1
33. CORE Members at outing 661. 2-7
34. Mary McClain and Willie Collins, at a Core sit-in at the downtown Woolworth's lunch counter in the late 1940's, 661.8
35. Connie Williams with daughter Vicky Lynn and Billie Ames with son Gregory in front of Stix Baer and Fuller, "The Grand Leader," after being refused service at the department store's lunch counter, May 12, 1949, 661.9
Box 3
Series Eight - Tapes
661.1 Irvin and Maggie Dagen, August 26, 1995
661.2 Irvin and Maggie Dagen, August 26, 1995
661.3 Irvin and Maggie Dagen, August 26, 1995
661.4 Irvin and Maggie Dagen, August 26, 1995
661.5 Irvin and Maggie Dagen, August 26, 1995
661.6 Irvin and Maggie Dagen, August 26, 1995
661.7 Vivian M. Dreer, June 26, 1996
661.8 Vernell Fuller, January 26, 1996
661.9 Vernell Fuller, nd
661.10 Vernell Fuller, nd
661.11 Vernell Fuller, January 26, 1996
661.12 Vernell Fuller, January 26, 1996
661.13 Charles Oldham, August 12, 1995
661.14 Charles Oldham, August 12, 1995
661.15 Marian Oldham and Wanda Penny, August 19, 1995
661.16 Marian Oldham and Wanda Penny, August 19, 1995
661.17 Marvin Rich, July 29, 1995
661.18 Marvin Rich, July 29, 1995
INDEX
African Americans, f. 1-35
CORE'S History, f. 1
Dagen, Irvin and Maggie, f. 1-35
Fairgrounds Park Incident, f. 3
St. Louis Argus, f. 4
WESTERN HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION
222 THOMAS JEFFERSON LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-ST. LOUIS
8001 NATURAL BRIDGE ROAD
ST. LOUIS, MO 63121
(314) 516-5143