Juanita W. Brown papers
Scope and Contents
The Juanita W. Brown papers is divided into five series containing several sub-series:
1. Biographical Papers, 1937-2003, and undatedHolds resume and newspaper articles highlighting Brown's accomplishments, documents pertaining to Brown's education, and her teaching career. Included are sub-series on the Washington Family (Brown's paternal family), and Personal Documents and Ephemera which includes items from her wedding and marriage documents with Melvin Brown, Jr., various photographs of family and friends, appointment calendar, and Brown's signature rubber stamp. Includes condolence letters and cards from the passing of Brown's husband (1994).
2. American Development Corporation (ADCOR) Legal Cases, 1994-2002, and undatedContains numerous documents including correspondence, Board of Director meeting minutes, agreements, and legal and bankruptcy proceedings pertaining to Juanita's deceased husband, William Melvin Brown, Jr. and his company, American Development Corporation ("ADCOR") Included are legal disputes with Melvin Brown's former business partner; and with companies including Tokai Financial Services, and Senstar. Documents are organized by year, month, and date order.
3. Correspondence, 1978-2005, and undatedContains personal and business correspondence, with invitations and commencement programs. Includes funeral programs from family members, friends, and business associates.
4. Religious, Civic and Social Organizations, 1956-2011, and undatedContains correspondence, event programs, certificates, calendar, typescripts, speech transcripts, organizational documents: Constitution and By-Laws, agendas, and meeting minutes, and reports pertaining to the numerous religious and institutions Brown was affiliated with including St. Patrick's Church (Charleston, South Carolina), the Sisters of Charity Foundation, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Jenkins Orphanage Institute, Inc., the Charleston Chapter of The Continental Societies, Inc., Avery Institute/Avery Research Center. The sub-series "The Community Foundation/Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina," highlights Brown's philanthropic work.
5. Artifacts and Ephemera, 1900-2003, and undatedContains material culture and memorabilia from the numerous organizations Juanita Brown was affiliated with including Delta Sigma Theta, the Orangeburg Chapter of the Links, Inc., and South Carolina State University. Of note is an "Avery Institute" varisty style vest most likely worn for the school reunion. Includes a sub-series of special editions of The Post and Courier newspaper: reproductions of "100 memorable front pages from Charleston newspapers," (1900-2000).
Dates
- Creation: 1900-2011, and undated
- Creation: Majority of material found in 1955-2005
Creator
- Brown, Juanita W., 1937-2006 (Person)
Access Restrictions
No restrictions.
Copyright Notice
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Biographical / Historical
Juanita Elizabeth Washington Brown was born in Charleston, South Carolina to Ruth Jackson Blacknall and William Washington on July 24, 1937.
Washington Brown attended Avery Institute High School, graduating in the last class prior to the school's closure in 1954. She attended Talladega College (Alabama) where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1958, and a Master of Arts in Teaching from The Citadel (1975). Brown continued with post-graduate work at Boston University and South Carolina State University.
Brown taught at various Charleston private and public high schools, specializing in chemistry and physics. She also taught Biomedical Science in a special program for gifted high school students at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). Brown was a member of the National Educational Association, the South Carolina Education Association, and the American Association of Physics Teachers. Her civic and social involvement included The Charleston Chapter of the Links, the Charleston Chapter of The Continental Societies, Inc., and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Brown served as a director of the South Carolina Aquarium, and was a former director of the Medical University of South Carolina's College of Nursing and the Trident Community Foundation.
She married William Melvin Brown, Jr. on May 28, 1960, and had two children, Tamara Brown Boone and William Melvin Brown III (MD).
Juanita Washington Brown passed away on April 28, 2006.
Extent
6.42 linear feet : 12 boxes, 3 oversize boxes
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Juanita Washington Brown (1937-2006), a Charleston, South Carolina native was an educator, business owner and philanthropist. After her husband, William Melvin Brown, Jr. passed in 1994, Juanita became the Chief Executive Officer of their company, American Development Corporation (ADCOR), a defense contractor in North Charleston.
Brown's papers highlight her life as an educator, religious, civic, and social organizational leader, and philanthropist. A majority of the collection details the American Development Corporation after the passing of her husband which contains numerous legal documents (1994-2002). Brown's biographical papers includes materials pertaining to her education and teaching career. Included in this collection are several of her religious, civic, and social affiliations, along with her humanitarian work with the Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina (1996-2005). The collection also holds Brown's artifacts such as awards and organizational ephemera.
Arrangement
1. Biographical Papers - 1937-2003, and undated
2. American Development Corporation (ADCOR) Legal Cases - 1994-2002, and undated
3. Correspondence - 1978-2005, and undated
4. Religious, Civic and Social Organizations - 1956-2011, and undated
5. Artifacts and Ephemera - 1900-2003, and undated
Processing Information
Processed and edited by Georgette Mayo, 2024
Subject
- Brown, W. Melvin, Jr., 1934-1994 (Person)
- American Development Corporation (North Charleston, South Carolina) (Organization)
- Coastal Community Foundation (Organization)
- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority (Organization)
- Jenkins Orphanage Institute (Charleston, S.C.) (Organization)
- Title
- Inventory of Juanita W. Brown papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Georgette Mayo
- Date
- September 2024
- Description rules
- Dacs
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Description is in English
Repository Details
Part of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture Repository
125 Bull Street
Charleston South Carolina 29424 United States
843-953-7608
averyresearchcenter@cofc.edu