Dorothy Maxcy papers, 1873-1982

Author / Creator

Maxcy, Dorothy 1890-1982

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Summary

Papers of Dorothy Maxcy, an African American woman born in Springville, Wis. in 1890, one of six children born to Ambrose Maxcy (b. 1840s) and Rebecca Ambrose (b. 1855). Dorothy settled in Chicago,...

Papers of Dorothy Maxcy, an African American woman born in Springville, Wis. in 1890, one of six children born to Ambrose Maxcy (b. 1840s) and Rebecca Ambrose (b. 1855). Dorothy settled in Chicago, Illinois where she worked various secretary and housekeeping jobs from 1922-1941. During this time, Dorothy acted as secretary to the John Brown Organization of Cook County and was involved with the Peace Movement of Ethiopia. In 1942, Dorothy passed the civil service exam and began working as a Clerk Stenographer for the U.S. War Department where she remained employed until she retired in 1955. Dorothy then moved back to Adams County, Wis. where she purchased a trailer on her family's original acreage of land. Maxcy journaled throughout her life, particularly recounting her experiences as a Black woman. Collection includes correspondence, personal notes, journals, personal financial records, and records relating to her job at the War Department.

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