Anna D. Kelly papers

Anna Bernice Dewees Kelly of Charleston, born on November 13, 1913, was the daughter of the John M. and Bernice Scott Dewees. Kelly was a 1932 graduate of Avery Normal Institute in Charleston, South Carolina. She earned a B.A. from Fisk University in 1949 and a M.A. in Social Work from Atlanta University.

During her early years, Kelly worked with various civil rights organizations in Charleston and the South. In 1951, she was hired as director of the Coming Street YWCA's teenage program and later served as its executive secretary.

On a conference trip to Washington, D.C., Kelly met an executive from the Highlander Folk School in Tennessee who suggested that she attend a Highlander workshop. She did, and subsequently recruited Septima P. Clark to attend, who in turn recruited Esau Jenkins. Thanks to their efforts, Lowcountry African Americans were introduced to grassroots organizing, and a number of Civil Rights campaigns, both in South Carolina and throughout the South, were initiated.

Kelly played a crucial role in the establishment of the Avery Research Center. A charter member of the Avery Institute of African American History and Culture, Mrs. Kelly served in several administrative roles, as treasurer and on the publication committee of the original AIAAHC's newsletter. She began the collection of materials that grew to become the Avery Research Center archives.

Kelly was heavily involved in Charleston civic life. She was member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, where she served as president and secretary of the Parish Council. She also served as president of St. Patrick Women's Guild, and as treasurer and president of Charleston Deanery Council of Catholic Women. She was recognized by the Charleston County Council as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Charleston County Library in 1981. Kelly was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Jubilee Committee. She was also a member of the Philis Wheatly Literary and Social Club, the League of Women's Voters and other social and political organizations. She was treasurer, secretary, and director of the National Foster Grandparents Organization. As a member of the South Carolina Commission on Aging, Kelly was invited to attend a White House conference on Aging in 1971.

Kelly was married to the late Peter Kelly, M.D. She had two siblings, Cornelius Dewees and Margrurute DeWees, who preceded her in death.

Anna D. Kelly died on November 28, 2007.