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  • Collection ID ARCHIVES 200708
  • Creator Names Barrett, Brenetta Howell, 1932-
  • Title Papers 1932-2013
  • Physical description 61 linear feet
  • Collection arrangement Materials are arranged into fifteen series, Biography and Family History, Manuscripts, Event Programs, Political Campaigns, West Side Organization Files, West Side Event Programs, West Side Serial Publications, Organization Files, General, Event Programs, General, Serial Publications, General, Personal Correspondence, Subject Research Files Photographs, and Memorabilia.
  • Access and usage restrictions Available for research in the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature, Carter G. Woodson Regional Library, Chicago Public Library.
  • Collection summary A lifelong Chicagoan, Brenetta Howell Barrett was a leader and political activist in West Side community organizations. She served in the mayoral administrations of Harold Washington and Eugene Sawyer. Active in housing, environmental and civil liberties issues, she was also involved in community protests in the 1960s and 1970s. Her papers include correspondence, office files, programs, clippings, photographs and memorabilia
  • Biographical or Historical Note Brenetta Howell Barrett (1932-) was born in Chicago. She graduated from DuSable High School and married Jesse L. Howell in 1951. They lived in the North Lawndale neighborhood. During the 1950s Barrett created the foundations for her multiple careers in journalism, social welfare, and independent politics, while sharpening her talent for community organization and fundraising. In 1956 she joined the social group work staff at Marcy Center Settlement House in North Lawndale. The next year, she was hired as a reporter by Augustus "Gus" Savage, publisher of the Lawndale Booster, where she soon was given responsibility for editing, writing a column, and carrying out the paper's community organization initiatives. In 1961 she spent a year as Attorney Chester L. Blair's legal secretary and began working for the Chicago Urban League as field secretary for voter registration. After divorcing in 1968, she went on to organize the Westside Parents Council for Integrated Schools, fighting to reduce overcrowding caused by Chicago Public School's policy of racial segregation. Barrett also served as regional director for the Chicago NAACP, worked with Chicago Economic Development Corp., and founded Black Sisters United. She also continued writing for a variety of neighborhood newspapers. In 1969 she became vice president of Chicago's Path Press. During the 1970s Barrett continued to assist new advocacy organizations with West Side roots and also worked on Harold Washington's mayoral campaign. Washington appointed Barrett to the Private Industry Council of Chicago in 1986, and then named her Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Consumer Services. Barrett served a tumultuous term under Washington and his successor, Mayor Eugene Sawyer. In 1991 she became assistant to the executive director of the Bobby E. Wright Comprehensive Community Mental Health Center. Through the 1990s and 2000s, Barrett worked tirelessly for numerous non-profit and neighborhood organizations.
  • Finding Aids Note Finding aid available in the Harsh Research Collection, Carter G. Woodson Regional Library, Chicago Public Library and on the library's web site.
  • Acquisition information Deed of gift from Brenetta Howell Barrett, June 25, 2007. Additional material received February 2013.
  • Names Barrett, Brenetta Howell, 1932- Archives.
  • Subjects
    • African American women Illinois Chicago.
    • African American women political activists Illinois Chicago.
    • African Americans Illinois Chicago Politics and government.
    • Minority business enterprises Illinois Chicago.
    • Small business Illinois Chicago.
    • Political campaigns Illinois Chicago.
    • Participation.
  • Geographic coverage
    • Chicago (Ill.) Social conditions 20th century.
    • West Side (Chicago, Ill.) History Sources.
  • Finding aid URL http://www.chipublib.org/fa-brenetta-howell-barrett-papers/