Inventory of the Effie Robinson Collection SPC.2023.037
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
2023-12
University Library South -5039 (Fifth Floor)
1000 E. Victoria St.
Carson, CA 90747
Business Number: 310-243-3895
archives@csudh.edu
Contributing Institution:
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
Title: Effie Robinson Collection
Identifier/Call Number: SPC.2023.037
Physical Description:
1 box
(one scrapbook; twenty-two photographs; master's thesis; loose documents)
Physical Description:
1 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): circa 1930s; 1942; circa 1950s; 1952-1985, 2001, 2003; undated
Abstract: This collection contains one scrapbook, photographs, an obituary, master's thesis, copies of a speech, and excerpts of an
oral history regarding Effie Robinson, a San Francisco based social worker who was a pioneer for championing minority children
in need of adoption, and educational leadership programs for minority youths. A majority of the scrapbook contains clippings
regarding her work with MARCH! Adoption program, Junior Leaders Program at Benjamin Franklin Junior High School, and various
honors Robinson received because of her work with the community.
Language of Material:
English
.
Conditions Governing Access
There are no access restrictions on this collection.
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives
and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical
materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Conditions Governing Use- Photographs
The Gerth Archives and Special Collections is not the copyright holder for these photographs. If a patron wishes to make copies
of materials in this collection, it is the responsibility of the researcher to attempt to locate the holder of the copyright
to obtain permission for publication. Full responsibility for legal questions relating to the use and publication of manuscripts
rests with the researcher.
Preferred Citation
Scope and Contents
The Effie Robinson Collection (circa 1930s; 1942; circa 1950s; 1952-1985, 2001, 2003; undated) contains 1 box and 1 linear
ft. of material regarding Effie Robinson, a San Francisco based social worker who was a pioneer for championing minority children
in need of adoption, and educational leadership programs for minority youths. This collection contains a scrapbook possibly
compiled by Robinson, or someone who knew her and contains clippings, articles, photographs, telegrams, memorandums, letters,
and other material mostly regarding Robinson's work with MARCH (Minority Adoption Recruitment of Children's Homes); various
awards won by Robinson including San Francisco Woman of the Year, Zeta Phi Beta (National Service Sorority), Ten Most Distinguished
Women in San Francisco; Robinson's appointments in Junior Leaders Program, San Francisco Housing Authority, California Housing
Finance Agency; and other awards and honors Robinson received. Also included in this collection is a copy of Robinson's master
thesis "Social Problems of Dependent and Neglected Negro Children in Oakland, California", copies of a speech giving at Wave
Award honoring Effie Robinson; an obituary; "Effie Robinson: Reflections on a Healdsburg Childhood, Excerpts from an Oral
History Interview with Holly Hoods", and photographs of Robinson at various social gatherings, a few childhood photographs
with her family, portraits, and images taken presumably in regards to her work with the Benjamin Franklin Junior High School
Junior Leaders Program.
Biographical / Historical
Effie Robinson (1920-2003) was born to Jessie C. Robinson, a gardener at the City Golf Links, and Elzora Harper in Healdsburg,
California. Robinson attended elementary and high school in Healdsburg and would go on to attend Santa Rosa Junior College
before relocating to San Francisco to attend San Francisco State University (SFSU). While at SFSU Robinson worked at a nursery
school. After graduation in 1943, Robinson attended the University of California School of Social Welfare and graduated in
1945 as the first African American graduate. In 1945, Robinson joined the Family Service Agency of San Francisco (formerly,
the Family and Children's Agency) where she worked as a case worker for families, and for sometime, was the only African American
on staff. She would go on to become acting director in 1956. In 1954, Robinson started working for MARCH! (Minority Adoption
Recruitment of Children's Homes) a project for children of national and racial minority groups. Robinson would continue her
work to educate San Francisco to the needs for adoptive homes for minority children, as well as her commitment to fostering
the education needs of minority children through her membership with Black women's service organizations such as Bay Area
Service League, and Links, Inc. Through a co-sponsorship between Links, Inc. and the YWCA, Robinson led the Junior Leaders
Program, established in 1961 at Benjamin Franklin Junior High School, which aimed to foster leadership potential for children.
Because of her work, Robinson received various awards and attended recognition events such as: San Francisco Woman of the
Year, Zeta Phi Beta (National Service Sorority); being named one of the Ten Most Distinguished Women in San Francisco; Woman
of the Month August 1975 for
Ladies Home Journal; the Koshland Award for a senior citizen program; participation in the Golden Anniversary of the White House Conference on
Children and Youth, and others. Other positions Robinson held during her career was her appointment as the Director of Human
Relations and Tenant Services at the San Francisco Housing Authority starting in 1964; and Director of Senior Programs and
Social Services, as well as being named to the Advisory Committee on the Human Rights Commission, Curriculum Committee of
the San Francisco Board of Education, and a board member of a United Nations program for the San Francisco School District.
Robinson passed away at the age of 83 in 2003 after an apparent fall.
Sources: "Effie Robinson-- housing director, political activist"; "Miss Effie Robinson", Wave Award honor speech; Scrapbook.
All sources can be found within this collection.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Photographs
Education -- African Americans
San Francisco (Calif.)
Scrapbooks
Social work with African American children
Adoption
Civil rights
Activism
Robinson, Effie
Housing Authority of the City and County of San Francisco
box 1
Scrapbook
1952-1985; undated
Scope and Contents
Scrapbook is divided into multiple sections as follows:
Section 1: "Adoption Campaign Theme: There's a child in the house"
- there is no material in this section.
Section 2: "Adoption Meeting" May 16, 1954
- Includes: "MARCH (Minority Adoption Recruitment of Children's Homes) Conference on Adoption Program (March 14-15, 1957); San
Francisco area publication clippings regarding MARCH! Program (April 1956) including reprints from
San Francisco Examiner regarding MARCH! written by executive director Michael Schapiro; Bay Area Service League: clippings, brochure, Tenth Annual
Child-Welfare program and invitation (May 1954)
Section 3: "Community Service During Family Service Employment"
-
Vanguard clipping and illustration; clippings regarding Robinson's San Francisco Woman of the Year award by Zeta Phi Beta (National
Service Sorority) (March 1967); other clippings regarding Robinson's work (April 1952; July 1956); letters of congratulations
regarding Robinson's nomination for Ten Most Distinguished Women in San Francisco (1961, 1962); memorandums from Office of
San Francisco Mayor, Hubert Humphrey,Catholic Social Service (1954, 1960)
Section 4: "Women of the Year 1967 Zeta Phi Beta, National Service Sorority"
- one clipping (March 1967)
Section 5: "Woman of Distinction 1961 S.F. Examiner"
- List of Ten Distinguished Women of 1961; list of judges for 1970 award
Section 6: "Junior Leaders Program 1961"
- clippings, telegram, letters of congratulations regarding distinguished woman award (1961, 1962, 1964); Benjamin Franklin
Junior High School Student Bulletin naming Miss Effie Robinson Day (November 5, 1964); photographs possibly taken at Benjamin
Franklin Junior High School; thank you letter regarding Links and YWCA dinner invitation (1961)
Section 7: "Junior Leaders Program 1962"
- Letter of congratulations regarding being selected as a participant in the Junior Leaders Program (November 1961); clippings;
photograph; telegram regarding Junior Leaders Program (1961-1963);
Ladies Home Journal woman of the month article (1975); article regarding Robinson honor at UC Berkeley graduation ceremony (circa 1980s?)
Section 8: "San Francisco Housing Authority"
- clippings regarding Robinson's appointment as director (1964)
Section 9: "political appointments"
- letter, invitation, and photograph regarding Golden Anniversary White House Conference on Children and Youth (May 1960); letters
regarding recommending Robinson for position in delinquency prevention in Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (December
1961); documents regarding Robinson's appointment and resignation at California Housing Finance Agency (1975, 1980); document
about Gray Panthers Award Luncheon honoring Robinson (September 1985); "Vote for Miss Effie Robinson for Senior Assemblywoman"
flyer (March 1983); articles, program regarding Rosa Parks Apartments, Senior Building (1979, 1982, 1985); article regarding
recipient of Koshland Administrator Award (June 1974); document regarding 4th Annual United Nations Association, San Francisco
public schools project (1998); Member of Governor's Advisory Committee on Mental Health (August 1959) award, memorandums,
clipping; awards: California Senior Legislature recognition award (October 1982); Negro Historical and Cultural Society certificate
of merit (February 1964)
box 1
"Social Problems of Dependent and Neglected Negro Children in Oakland, California" by Effie Marie Robinson. Thesis submitted
in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Master in Social Welfare, School of Social Work, University
of California
1942
box 1
Speech giving at Wave Award honoring Effie Robinson (two drafts; one final copy)
2001
box 1
"Effie Robinson: Reflections on a Healdsburg Childhood, Excerpts from an Oral History Interview with Holly Hoods"
March 2001
box 1
"Effie Robinson-- Housing Director, Political Activist" by Steve Rubenstein (obituary)
June 4, 2003
box 1
Photographs
circa 1930s; May 1954, circa 1950s-1960s; undated
Physical Description: 22 Photographic Prints
Scope and Contents
Photographs taken possibly in regards to the Benjamin Franklin Junior High School Junior Leaders Program, two images featuring
Mrs. Willa Evans president of San Francisco Chapter of Links, group photographs taken at social gatherings, photograph of
Effie taken at graduation, one family portrait, image of Effie with sisters Genevieve and Elizabeth, image of Effie with Adlai
Stevenson, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and two portraits of Effie.
Photography studios include: Joyce R. Wilson"; Willis Studio; Cox Studio Photograph; E.F. Joseph Studios; Carolyn Mason Jones;
and others.
