Ralph F. Boyd :
- Author:
- Boyd, Ralph Frederic, 1919-
- Call Number:
- MSS APAP 165 local
- Abstract:
- The Ralph Boyd Papers document his social activism as member of the Schenectady branch of the NAACP and his professional work as an employee of the General Electric Co. in Schenectady, New York. The collection is comprised of General Electric manuals and the personal work papers of Boyd created during his time as a foreman in addition to news clippings and supplementary materials from the International Union of Electronic, Electrical, Salaried, Machine and Furniture Workers (IUE) Local 301. Furthermore, the collection contains materials and news clippings related to his work with the Schenectady branch of the NAACP, initiatives for low-income housing reform, and personal and professional correspondence.
- Historical Note:
- Ralph F. Boyd is a lifelong social justice advocate well known for his commitment to civil rights, equality, civil service and local community activism in Schenectady, New York. Born in 1919 in Norfolk, V.A, Boyd served in the segregated 366 Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army during World War II. Despite the fact that African-Americans were willing to fight for democracy and protection of their country, their reception upon returning home was not a welcoming one. Discontented with the status quo, Boyd decided that he would work to effect change. His first target was General Electric, a company which previously denied him employment when he first inquired about a job soon after the war. Boyd was told that he did not have the training to fulfill a position within the company in spite of his skilled experience in the U.S. Army. General Electric eventually began to hire African-Americans in 1948, including Boyd. Boyd also noticed women were being treated unequally and began to defend his female co-workers at General Electric who were not being paid the same as the men. Boyd eventually became a prominent spokesperson and leader for the International Union of Electronic, Electrical, Salaried, Machine and Furniture Workers Local 301 union as well as the foreman in the Turbine-Generator Department. He continued working for General Electric for 34 years. Boyd also worked within the local community of Schenectady to advocate change for the social, political and economic conditions for African-Americans. Boyd helped established the Schenectady chapter of the NAACP in 1950 and served as the chapter president for several terms. Boyd promoted and supported initiatives for reform change in areas surrounding the housing slums within Schenectady. Boyd also campaigned for equality within education and was instrumental in the establishment of the Baptist Retirement Center for seniors.
- Physical Description:
- 1.6 cu ft
- Access Terms:
- Access to the collection is unrestricted with the exception of select folders noted on the finding aid.
- Notes:
- Ralph F. Boyd Papers, 1943-1992. M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University at Albany, State University of New York.
- Subjects:
- African Americans Employment, Community organization New York (State), Labor unions New York (State), Segregation in education, Slums New York (State), Social action New York (State), Women Employment, African Americans Employment, Community organization, Labor unions, Race relations, Segregation in education, Slums, Social action, and Women Employment
- Genres/Forms:
- Appointment books. aat, Brochures. aat, Bylaws (administrative records) aat, Calendars. aat, Clippings. aat, Correspondence. aat, Files by subject. aat, Manuals (instructional manuals) aat, Minutes. aat, Newsletters. aat, Programs. aat, and Speeches. aat
- Names:
- Boyd, Ralph Frederic, 1919-
- Corporate Names:
- General Electric Company, International Union of Electronic, Electrical, Salaried, Machine & Furniture Workers, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Schenectady Branch, General Electric Company, International Union of Electronic, Electrical, Salaried, Machine & Furniture Workers, and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
- Geographic Terms:
- Schenectady (N.Y.), New York (State) Race relations, New York (State), and New York (State) Schenectady
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Rare books do not circulate
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