Leo Griffin Spofford papers
Scope and Content of Collection
The Leo Griffin Spofford papers contain correspondence, photographs, and other personal belongings that document her time in China (1946-1947) working with the UNRRA (United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Association) and the CNRRA (Chinese National Relief and Rehabilitation Association).
Also included in the collection is a manuscripts written by Betty Lamb about Leo's experience in China, Tiger Bone Wedding: Leo Spofford's Letters from China, completed in 1985.
Dates
- Creation: 1942-1992 1946-1947
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1946 - 1947
Creator
- Spofford, Leo Griffin (Creator, Person)
Access
Collection open for research.
Publication Rights
All requests for permission to publish must be submitted in writing to Special Collections.
Chronology
Missing Title
- November 19, 1896
- Leo Griffin Spofford born in Tiptonville, Tennessee
- 1917
- graduated from the University of Tennessee, receiving her B.A. in sociology and home economics
- 1932-1936
- Leo was a field worker for government relief work under the Unemployment Relief Committee in Shreveport, Louisiana
- 1936-1939
- Leo worked as the State Director of the Women's and Professional Projects Division, where she supervised the activities of 10,000 non-construction workers, and the art, music and writers' projects of the WPA
- 1939-1942
- Leo was the Chief Regional Supervisor for the Employment for Eligible Unemployed, WPA, New Orleans
- 1942-1943
- Leo was the Regional Supervisor of the War Public Services Division, Federal Works Agency, Fort Worth, Texas
- 1943
- Leo worked as the Special Assistant to Assistant Commissioner, Federal Works Agency, Washington, D.C.
- 1943-1946
- Leo was the Director of the New Orleans Department of War Emergency Children's Service, where she created a plan for child care centers under federal supervision, making it possible for mothers to work in war plants. Leo was the Regional Director of UNRRA (United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Association) in Hunan Province for 8 months. Arriving in May 1946, she helped establish, at its highest point, 20 refugee camps and orphanages.
- 1947
- Leo returned to her home to New Orleans
- 1949
- Leo opened a gumbo restaurant and a praline shop in New Orleans
Extent
2 boxes
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Leo Griffin Spofford worked for a variety of government agencies from 1932-1947, including the WPA, the War Public Services Division of the Federal Works Agency, and the New Orleans Department of War Emergency Children's Service. In 1946, Leo became the Regional Director of the UNRRA (United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Association) and was sent to the Hunan Province, China. She spent 8 months in China, establishing refugee camps and orphanages. The collection primarily documents Leo's time in China, with correspondence, photographs, and personal belongings. Also included in the collection is a manuscript written by friend Betty Lamb, who interviewed Leo and wrote about her experiences in Tiger Bone Wedding: Leo Spofford's Letters from China, completed in 1985.
Physical location
Please consult repository.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Betty Lamb, 1992
General Physical Description note
.9 linear feet (2 boxes)
Subject
- United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (Creator, Organization)
- Title
- Finding aid of the Leo Griffin Spoffod papers
- Author
- Kelley Wolfe Bachli
- Date
- © 2005
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in: English
Repository Details
Part of the 01 - Special Collections & Archives, The Claremont Colleges Library Repository
800 North Dartmouth Ave
Claremont CA 91711 United States
Email: specialcollections@claremont.edu