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Nancy Ellen Webb Williams Papers (MS-00391)

Abstract

The Nancy Ellen Webb Williams Papers (1983 to 1996) are related to William's career as a writer. The papers include newspaper clippings, photos, fliers, and correspondence. Also included is one of Williams' books of poetry, "The Soul Side: Big Mama Remembers."

Finding Aid PDF

Date

1983-1996

Extent

0.23 Cubic Feet (1 Box)
0.21 Linear Feet

Related People/Corporations

Scope and Contents Note

The Nancy Ellen Webb Williams Papers (1983 to 1996) are related to William's career as a writer. The papers include newspaper clippings, photos, fliers, and correspondence. Also includes is one of Williams' books of poetry, "The Soul Side: Big Mama Remembers."

Access Note

Collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

Materials in this collection may be protected by copyrights and other rights. See Reproductions and Use on the UNLV Special Collections website for more information about reproductions and permissions to publish.

Arrangement

Material remains in original order.

Biographical / Historical Note

Poet and educator Nancy Ellen Webb Williams (1935-1998) was born in Quincy, Illinois on August 1, 1935. She attended Quincy College on a scholarship and graduated valedictorian in 1957. After graduating, she taught at Shelby County Training School in Memphis, Tennessee. She also began graduate studies at Tennessee State University. In 1961 she was offered and accepted a teaching position in Las Vegas, Nevada. When she arrived in Las Vegas, the school board, realizing she was African American, withdrew the offer. Through an affirmative action program, Williams was hired by Clark County Juvenile Services and became the first African-American probation officer in the city. She also became the first African American department supervisor and eventually director of Child Haven. She received a Master's degree in public administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Williams authored four books of poetry under the pen name of "Big Mama," When We Were Colored (1986), Dinah's Pain (1988), Them Gospel Songs (1990), and The Soul Side (1996). Former Governor of Nevada Mike O'Callaghan said that, "Nancy was a delightful lady who helped make Nevada a better place." Nancy Ellen Webb Williams passed away June 18, 1998.

Source:

"'Mrs. Child Haven' Williams dies at 62". Las Vegas Review-Journal, June 22, 1989, http://lasvegassun.com/news/1998/jun/22/mrs-child-haven-williams-dies-at-62/. Accessed July 22, 2015.

Preferred Citation

Nancy Ellen Webb Williams Papers, 1983-1996. MS-00391. Special Collections, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada.

Acquisition Note

Materials were donated in 1997 by Nancy Ellen Webb Williams; accession number 1997-10.

Processing Note

Materials were processed by the Special Collections staff in 1997. In 2015, as part of a legacy finding aid conversion project, John Grygo revised and enhanced the collection description to bring it into compliance with current professional standards

Resource Type

Papers

Collection Type

EAD ID

US::NvLN::MS00391

Finding Aid Description Rules

Describing Archives: A Content Standard
English