Overview of the Collection
Historical NoteThe Human Rights Commission was created in 1963 through Ordinance 92191 to promote equality and understanding among Seattle residents and to study, investigate, and make recommendations regarding discrimination based on race, color, religion, and national origin. Other aims of the Commission were to promote "equality and understanding" through a public education program. The Commission's twelve members were "representative citizens of the city" appointed by the mayor and approved by City Council; initial members included representatives from the Seattle Urban League, King County Labor Council, and various religious groups. In 1969, the Human Rights Department was created, incorporating a small Office of Human Rights in the Executive Department. The Human Rights Department took on the responsibilities of the study and investigation of human rights issues and recommendation of policies and legislation, while the Human Rights Commission continued in a primarily advisory capacity. In 1980, all employment and housing discrimination functions were consolidated under the Human Rights Department. In 1995, the affirmative action monitoring function of the Human Rights Department was transferred to the Personnel Department. Content DescriptionReports exist for the years 1963-1982 and include a summary of important activities, project, and programs of the Human Rights Commission (and, later, the Human Rights Department as well) and its various committees and divisions; problems or issues encountered during the year; and plans and goals for the coming year. Also included is information on the board and its members and supplementary information such as statistics, charts, maps, and census data. Over the years, statistics in the reports cover population, income, occupations, education, and housing and contract data, as well as other important information. The 1964-1965 report also discusses various aspects of the problem of discrimination in Seattle, including its effects on education and employment. The 1975 report includes Affirmative Action reviews for each department. Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Access :
Records are open to the public. Preferred Citation :[Item and date], Human Rights Department Annual Reports, Record Series 1802-G9. Box [number], Folder [number]. Seattle Municipal Archives. Administrative InformationDetailed Description of the CollectionThe following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.
SubjectsThis collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.
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