Scope and arrangement
The Olivia Pearl Stokes papers document many aspects of her life and career, including as an educator, writer, lecturer, and community activist. The papers include correspondence, writings, files related to her professional activities and private affiliations, printed matter, and miscellaneous files. Correspondence includes letters from friends and relatives as well as letters regarding her professional pursuits and speaking engagements. Among the personal correspondence, the most extensive group of letters is from Beatrice Seymour-Wilson, Stokes's sister who lived in Sierra Leone for many years. Also included are several letters from friends in Africa and from scholarship students and missionaries who received aid from Stokes personally or from organizations with which she was affiliated. Writings include typed and handwritten manuscripts, and research files for both published and unpublished works. Of particular interest is Stokes's manuscript on African women, "The Women of Africa". Although the book was never published, the manuscript and research files document the lives of many prominent African and African American women living in Africa. The book was begun during the period of national liberation for many former colonies, and it was intended to educate Americans about the role of African women and their organizations in the process of rebuilding post-colonial Africa. The files include research material, correspondence, and a typed manuscript. Writings also include a typed copy of Stokes's dissertation, "An Evaluation of the Leadership Training Program of the Baptist Educational Center and Recommendation for Its Improvement", as well as miscellaneous articles and papers, particularly on the subject of Christian education. The Organization files include material on Stokes's professional and private affiliations. Among the organizations represented are: Lehman College, the Greater Harlem Comprehensive Guidance Center (of which Stokes was a founder), the Massachusetts Council of Churches, the National Council of Churches, the Abyssinian Baptist Church, Berea College, and Delta Sigma Theta sorority. Programs include printed matter and planning material relating to Stokes's role as a participant or a speaker at various conferences, workshops, prayer services, and seminars. The Tours files relate to tours to Africa and the Holy Land organized by Stokes. Printed matter includes clippings, articles, brochures, programs, and miscellaneous publications. Among the Miscellaneous papers are biographical materials, awards and honors, and prayer services and sermons.
The Olivia Pearl Stokes papers are arranged in seven series:
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1936-1991
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1947-1991
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1934-1991
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1963-1987
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1938-1990
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1938-1990