Scope and Content Note This collection is a combination of papers accumulated by Murphy during her years as an activist and materials used in writing her book. Among the latter are the papers of Billie Wilson, a former member of WEC. Wilson gave Murphy her papers, which included correspondence, pamphlets, and press clippings, to aid in the writing of Breaking the Silence. Because of the overlapping subject matter in Murphy's and Wilson's papers, Wilson's materials have been...

Scope and Content Note Papers pertaining to the Little Rock Central High School integration crisis (1957-1959) and the Women's Emergency Committee to Open Our Schools (WEC). The collection includes an account of the events by J. O. Powell, along with notes and correspondence to a nephew, Tim DeLaney. Also included in the collection are photocopies of several other accounts: an unpublished book, The Embattled Ladies of Little Rock, by Vivion Lenon Brewer, one of the founders of WEC;...