Mary Holt Woolfolk Carlton papers

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Commonwealth University, Cabell Library
James Branch Cabell Library
Virginia Commonwealth University
P.O. Box 842003
901 Park Avenue
Richmond, VA 23284-2003
Contact for questions and access:
POC: SCA Staff
Phone: (804) 828-1108
Fax: (804) 828-0151
Restrictions:

No restrictions on access.

Terms of access:

No restrictions on use.

Preferred citation:

Box/folder, Mary Holt Woolfolk Carlton, M 11, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University

Summary

Extent:
2.5 Linear Feet
Creator:
Carlton, Mary Holt Woolfolk, 1915-
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Box/folder, Mary Holt Woolfolk Carlton, M 11, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University

Background

Scope and content:

The collection documents Carlton's activities as an activist in the emerging women's movement of the 1970s and includes correspondence, newspaper clippings, publications, and other materials dating mostly from the 1970s. Much of the correspondence includes copies of the letters Carlton sent and the replies she received. One of the most significant portions of the collection pertains to Carlton's activities, and those of other local supporters, regarding passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), including correspondence with fellow activists and with state and national elected officials. Various publications, from newspaper clippings and journal articles to pamphlets and leaflets, are also included in the collection. Materials relating to Carlton's interest in the changing role of women in the church, both within the Episcopal church and in other denominations in general, is also represented. Her involvement within Richmond's St. Paul's Episcopal Church is documented and includes correspondence with controversial Episcopal Bishop John "Jack" S. Spong. Carlton also served on NOW's Compliance and Enforcement Task Force, and the collection includes correspondence between Carlton and various businesses, both locally and nationally, on their employment policies regarding women.

Biographical / historical:

Mary Holt Woolfolk Carlton was born March 6, 1915, the daughter of Algar Woolfolk and Louise McCarthy Woolfolk. A Richmond native, she is the granddaughter of Carlton McCarthy, once mayor of Richmond. She attended Westhampton College of the University of Richmond and received a Bachelors degree in Social Science from William and Mary in 1955 and a Masters in Social Work in 1961 from Richmond Professional Institute (now VCU). She worked as a family counselor. She was married to Louis C. Carlton. Carlton became active in women's issues in 1969. She was a charter member and treasurer of the Virginia Women's Political Caucus and co-founded, along with Zelda Nordlinger, the Richmond Chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW). She chaired NOW's Women in Religion National Task Force and was active in advocating increased involvement of women within the church and of elimination of sexism found in biblical literature. She was an active member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Carlton also served on NOW's Compliance and Enforcement Task Force and corresponded with various businesses on their employment policies regarding women. She was also a member in the Ginter Park Garden Club and the Ginter Park Woman's Club.She participated in the integration of Thalhimer's Men's Soup Bar in August of 1970 and of the Miller & Rhoades Tea Room a year later. Throughout the 1970s, she gave speeches advocating the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment and corresponded with numerous legislators about the matter. She frequently wrote letters expressing her opinion on women's issues to both Richmond newspapers, the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Richmond News-Leader, various magazines, columnists, and broadcasters. Carlton and other activists have been credited in convincing Richmond Newspapers Inc. to end their segregation of their want-ad job classifications by gender in 1973.

Acquisition information:
The collection was donated to University Library Services in April of 1983 by Ms. Carlton.
Arrangement:

The collection is arranged alphabetically by subject and chronologically therein.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard