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Collection Summary | |
Creator: | Ford, Charles, 1936- |
Collection Name: | Dr. Charles "Chuck" Ford papers, |
Inclusive Dates: | 1979-1991 |
Bulk Dates: | (bulk 1979-1987) |
Physical Description: | 8 Linear Feet |
Abstract: | The Dr. Charles "Chuck" Ford papers (1979-1991) contain scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, and framed certificates of recognition documenting Dr. Ford's political career as a Tucson city councilmember, as well as his 1991 mayoral campaign. Additional items include photographs and memorabilia. These documents detail his legacy as the first African American elected to the Tucson City Council. |
Collection Number: | MS 597 |
Language: | Materials are in English. |
Repository: |
University of Arizona Libraries, Special Collections University of Arizona PO Box 210055 Tucson, AZ 85721-0055 Phone: 520-621-6423 Fax: 520-621-9733 URL: http://speccoll.library.arizona.edu/ E-Mail: LBRY-askspcoll@email.arizona.edu |
Dr. Charles "Chuck" Ford was the first African American elected to the Tucson City Council. He served two terms from 1979-1987 for Ward IV, part of which time he also served as Tucson Vice Mayor. Born in a segregated southern town in Louisiana, Ford worked menial labor jobs before winning an athletic scholarship to Dillard University for basketball. After earning his undergraduate degree, Ford moved to Tucson, where he worked for a year as a substitute teacher before being hired as a full-time teacher by Tucson Unified School District(TUSD). Ford went on to earn both his master's and doctorate degrees, as well as to serve as principal for several TUSD elementary schools. In 1979, he was elected as a Democrat to the Tucson City Council, where he served both terms while still working as principal. Ford decided not to run for reelection in 1987. Instead, he chose to accept a position as associate director of the master's in public administration program at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government from 1987 to 1989. Ford moved back to Tucson and unsuccessfully ran for mayor in 1991. Upon his retirement, Ford became an active board member of the Dunbar Coalition. Ford passed away on November 1, 2019 due to complications of Alzheimer's disease at his home in North Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Dr. Charles "Chuck" Ford papers document his political career, from his two terms as Ward IV City Council Member in Tucson (1979-1987), to his 1991 mayoral campaign. The collection contains newspaper clippings and scrapbooks of photographs, correspondence, and more. In particular, there is political correspondence between Dr. Ford and Morris K. Udall, Bruce E. Babbitt, and Evan Mecham. These materials document the efforts and impact of Tucson's first African American city council member. It should be noted that the first two scrapbooks were physically removed from collection because of water damage but that the scrapbooks are digitized. The scrapbooks series is comprised of four scrapbooks documenting Dr. Chuck Ford's two terms on Tucson City Council's Ward IV. These scrapbooks are arranged chronologically and contain photographs, newspaper clippings, correspondence, and more.In particular, there is political correspondence between Dr. Ford and Morris K. Udall, Bruce E. Babbitt, and Evan Mecham. The framed certificates of recognition series contains three framed items from Dr. Chuck Ford's time as a city council member. The loose papers series is organized chronologicall yand contains papers removed from Scrapbooks in Series I, photographs, letters of appreciation, and promotional campaign materials. The bulk of this series contains photocopies of newspaper clippings documenting Dr. Charles Ford's unsuccessful mayoral run.
There are no restrictions on this collection.
It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Arizona Board of Regents for the University of Arizona, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.
Dr. Charles "Chuck" Ford papers (MS 597). Special Collections, University of Arizona Libraries.
Processed by Kelly Kottmer.
Scrapbooks, 1979-1987 | |||||||||||
Scope and Contents | |||||||||||
The scrapbooks series is comprised of four scrapbooks documenting Dr. Chuck Ford's two terms on Tucson City Council's Ward IV. These scrapbooks are arranged chronologically and contain photographs, newspaper clippings, correspondence, and more.In particular, there is political correspondence between Dr. Ford and Morris K. Udall, Bruce E. Babbitt, and Evan Mecham. | |||||||||||
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1 | Scrapbook I, 1979-1982 | ||||||||||
Councilman Chuck Ford Scrapbook, 1979-82 | |||||||||||
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2 | Scrapbook II, 1982-1983 | ||||||||||
Councilman Chuck Ford Scrapbook, 1982-83 | |||||||||||
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3 | Scrapbook III, 1984-1985 | ||||||||||
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4 | Scrapbook IV, 1986-1987 |
Framed Certificates of Recognition, 1980-1983 | |||||||||||
Scope and Contents | |||||||||||
The framed certificates of recognition series contains three framed items from Dr. Chuck Ford's time as a city council member. | |||||||||||
box | |||||||||||
5 | Framed certificate of Governor Bruce Babbitt commissioning Charles Ford to be a member of the Employment and Training Council, 1981 November 10 | ||||||||||
5 | Framed letter and signed photograph from Rosalynn Carter, 1980 April 16 | ||||||||||
5 | Framed certificate of election for the office of Council Member, Ward IV, 1983 November 14 |
Loose Papers, 1982-1991 | |||||||||||
Scope and Contents | |||||||||||
The loose papers series is organized chronologicall yand contains papers removed from Scrapbooks in Series I, photographs, letters of appreciation, and promotional campaign materials. The bulk of this series contains photocopies of newspaper clippings documenting Dr. Charles Ford's unsuccessful mayoral run. | |||||||||||
box | folder | ||||||||||
6 | 1 | Papers removed from Scrapbook II, circa 1982-1983 | |||||||||
6 | 2 | Photographs, circa 1979-1987 | |||||||||
6 | 3 | Clippings from Dr. Ford's terms as Council Member, 1983 | |||||||||
6 | 4 | Letters of appreciation as Ford steps down from office, 1987 | |||||||||
6 | 5 | Promotional materials from Dr. Ford's Mayoral Campaign, 1991 | |||||||||
6 | 6 | Newspaper clippings covering the mayoral campaign, 1991 March-July | |||||||||
6 | 7 | Newspaper clippings covering the mayoral campaign, 1991 August- September | |||||||||
6 | 8 | Newspaper clippings covering the aftermath of the mayoral campaign, 1991 September- November | |||||||||
6 | 9 | Newspaper clippings covering the mayoral campaign, 1991 |