Rita Jackson Samuels, Jack Bass, conducted by, and Walter DeVries, conducted by Oral History Interview with Rita Jackson Samuels, April 30, 1974. Interview A-0077. Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007).

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Oral History Interview with Rita Jackson Samuels, April 30, 1974. Interview A-0077. Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007).

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Abstract

Rita Jackson Samuels, coordinator of the Governor's Council on Human Relations in Atlanta, Georgia, offers her thoughts on the changing racial dynamics of her home state. She gives the most attention to measuring the progress of African Americans in Georgia during her tenure and that of Governor Jimmy Carter. She also discusses at length the installation of a portrait of Martin Luther King in the state capitol, a move which she initiated, and describes its symbolic importance.

Excerpts

Biracial councils open lines of communication between white and black communities

Lack of government commitment to racial diversity in Georgia

Measuring race progress in Georgia's government

Symbolism of King's portrait in Georgia capitol

Few white women in Georgia state legislature

Increasing confidence among blacks in small Georgia town

Hiring blacks while denying specific advocacy on their behalf

Measuring race progress in Georgia's government

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Finding aid to the Southern Oral History Program Collection

Database of all Southern Oral History Program Collection interviews

Subjects

King, Martin Luther, Jr., 1929-1968

Women in politics

Georgia--Politics and government

African American politicians--Georgia

Carter, Jimmy, 1924-

African American women

Women political activists--Georgia

The Southern Oral History Program transcripts presented here on Documenting the American South undergo an editorial process to remove transcription errors. Texts may differ from the original transcripts held by the Southern Historical Collection.

Funding from the Institute for Museum and Library Services supported the electronic publication of this title.

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