“Working for Freedom: Documenting Civil Rights Organizations” is a collaborative project between Emory University’s Manuscript, Archives and Rare Book Library, The Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History, The Amistad Research Center at Tulane University, and The Robert W. Woodruff Library of Atlanta University Center to uncover and make available previously hidden collections documenting the Civil Rights Movement in Atlanta and New Orleans. The project is administered by the Council on Library and Information Resources with funds from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Each organization regularly contributes blog posts about their progress.
For more information about the collection described in this post, please contact the Archives at Auburn Avenue Research Library, aarl [dot] archives [at] fultoncountyga [dot] gov
From the moment Andrew and Jean Young moved to Atlanta in 1961, they made it their home. For decades, they dedicated much of their time and lives to improving the lives of the people and the city itself.
The 1960s
- Jean taught elementary school, protested Rich’s Department Store, participated in the League of Women Voters of Atlanta-Fulton County
- Andrew worked for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, was a close associate and friend of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The 1970s
- Jean served as curriculum coordinator for the Atlanta Public Schools, helped found Atlanta Junior College (now Atlanta Metropolitan College), created the first local campaign geared towards women called “Women for Andrew Young”
- Andrew served as Chair of the Community Relations Commission, elected Congressman for Atlanta’s 5th Congressional district
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| Above: Brochure from the League of Women Voters of Atlanta-Fulton County, 1970. Click image to enlarge. | Above: Community Relations Commission Annual Report, 1970. Click image to enlarge. |
The 1980s
- Jean chaired the Mayor’s Task Force on Education, helped found SciTrek: The Science and Technology Museum of Atlanta, the APEX Museum, and the Atlanta-Fulton County Commission on Children and Youth, participated in Families First, the Atlanta Women’s Network, and the Black Women’s Coalition of Atlanta.
- Andrew served two terms as Mayor of Atlanta; hosted the 1988 Democratic National Convention; founded Young Ideas, Inc.
The 1990s
- Jean participated in the Georgia Committee for a Black Agenda, The Links, helped with Buddy Check through the Cancer Center of Georgia
- Andrew ran for Governor of Georgia, served on the boards of Delta Airlines, Hank Aaron Foundation, CDC Foundation, Cox Communications, and the Atlanta Market Center.
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| Above: Andrew and Jean Childs Young at World of Coca-Cola, 1980s. Click image to enlarge. | Above: Andrew Young and Coretta Scott King give a tour of the King Center for International Olympic Committee President Juan Antonio Samaranch, 1989. Click image to enlarge. |
Andrew and Jean also were involved in numerous activities and organizations together:
- marches and protests during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement
- the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change,
- The Carter Center,
- Habitat for Humanity,
- all of Andrew’s political campaigns,
- the First Congregational Church, and the
- campaign to bring the 1996 Olympics to Atlanta.
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| Above: Andrew and Jean Childs Young in downtown Atlanta for Andrew’s campaign for Governor, 1990. Click image to enlarge. | Above: Dedication of Andrew Young International Boulevard, 2001. Click image to enlarge. |
Though the activities may be over, their legacies live on:
- Andrew Young International Boulevard
- Andrew Young Center for International Affairs at Morehouse College
- Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University
- Civil Rights Walk of Fame at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site
- Centennial Olympic Games Museum at the Atlanta History Center
- Jean Childs Young Middle School
- Jean Childs Young Memorial Scholarship, United Negro College Fund