Jane Ramsey Papers

Dates: 1982-1988
Size: 2.5 linear feet in 5 boxes
Repository: Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, 400 S. State Street, Chicago, IL 60605
Collection number: spe-h00175
Immediate source of acquisition: Donated by Jane Ramsey in 2018
Conditions governing use: Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection.
Conditions governing access: Materials are open without restrictions.
Physical location note: Materials are stored offsite and advance notice is required for use. Please request materials at least 24-hours prior to your research visit to coordinate access.
Preferred citation: When quoting material from this collection the preferred citation is: Jane Ramsey Papers, [Box #, Folder #], Special Collections, Chicago Public Library
Finding aid author: Sarah Zimmerman, May 2022

Abstract

Jane Ramsey served in Mayor Harold Washington’s cabinet as Director of Community Relations (1986-1988) and served as Executive Director of the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs. Her papers represent her work in Washington’s administration and his campaigns for Mayor, with an emphasis on Jewish voters.

Biographical/Historical

Jane Ramsey joined the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs (JCUA) in 1979 and served as the organization’s executive director from 1982 to 2012. In 1986, she took a two-year leave from JCUA to serve in Mayor Harold Washington’s administration as Director of Community Relations, advising on outreach and engagement with Chicago’s communities, in addition to overseeing scheduling for Mayor Washington. Ramsey was also an active volunteer in both Washington’s 1983 and 1987 mayoral campaigns, serving as a northside Ward Coordinator and the Coordinator for Jewish Voters for Washington. In 2012, Ramsey founded Just Ventures to support organizations tackling social justice initiatives.

Ramsey serves as a lecturer and field instructor for the University of Chicago, Crown Family School of Social Work Policy and Practice and a faculty advisor and professor at Experience Liberal Arts Colleges, headquartered in Shanghai, China. In addition to providing leadership training and public speaking, Ramsey has served on numerous boards including: CAN-TV, Chicago Coalition to Protect Public Housing, Chicago Women Take Action, the Commission on Social Action or Reform Judaism, Ethics Coalition, the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, the Justice Coalition of Greater Chicago, KAM Isaiah Israel Congregation, the Leadership Greater Chicago Fellows Association, Private Industry Council (PIC), the Shalom Center, the Women’s Commission of the City of Chicago and Women in Charge.

Ramsey holds a Master’s degree from The University of Chicago, School of Social Administration and a Bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis.

Scope and Contents

The Jane Ramsey Papers span from 1982 to 1988 and include administrative documents, budget files, campaign literature, meeting minutes and various files relating to community outreach during the Harold Washington administration through her role as Director of Community Relations. Of note is a series of files relating to outreach to Jewish voters, the administration’s 1988 Management Plan and the Mayoral Speakers Bureau, a training program for preparing speakers from the Mayor’s Office to provide dynamic and relevant outreach to all Chicago communities.

Arrangement

The Jane Ramsey Papers are arranged alphabetically by topic into a single series. Original order has been maintained as much as possible.

Related Materials

Subject Headings

  • Ramsey, Jane L. 1950- -- Archives
  • Washington Harold, 1922-1987
  • Political campaigns -- Illinois -- Chicago
  • Jews -- Illinois -- Chicago -- Politics and government
  • Chicago (Ill.) -- Politics and government -- 1951-
  • Records (Documents)
  • Minutes (Records)
  • Clippings

Collection Inventory

Box 1 Folder 1 Administrative- Community Relations, list of files 1987 January 22
Box 1 Folder 2 Administrative- Contact lists 1987 July, undated
Box 1 Folder 3 Administrative- Contact lists, Board and Commissions, Chairmen/Addresses 1987 August
Box 1 Folder 4 Administrative- Contacts lists, Religious, “calls for funeral service lists” 1985-1987, undated
Box 1 Folder 5 Administrative- Correspondence re: Jane Ramsey speaking request, Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation 1987 January 21
Box 1 Folder 6 Administrative- Directory, “1986 Temporary Directory” 1986
Box 1 Folder 7 Administrative- Directory, Office of the Mayor, Eugene Sawyer, Acting Mayor 1988 March
Box 1 Folder 8 Administrative- Directory, “Who’s Who at City Hall” 1985
Box 1 Folder 9 Administrative- Meeting agenda requests, integrated planning and investment policies 1988 January
Box 1 Folder 10 Administrative- Meeting agendas, meeting minutes 1986-1987, undated
Box 1 Folder 11 Administrative- Scheduling guidelines, daily record of work performed 1987 July-October
Box 1 Folder 12 Administrative- Scheduling priorities, blank forms, notes 1987 August
Box 1 Folder 13 Administrative- Schedule requests and analysis 1987 August-November, undated
Box 1 Folder 14 Administrative- Telephone logs, Jane Ramsey 1987 August 20-1987 December 31
Box 1 Folder 15 Administrative- Telephone logs, Jane Ramsey 1988 January 4-1988 April 7
Box 1 Folder 16 Administrative- Unidentified notes circa 1987, 1988, undated
Box 1 Folder 17 Budget- 1987 Budget Outreach, Constituency Coordinator Bob Ahrens 1987
Box 1 Folder 18 Budget- 1987 Budget Outreach, Constituency Coordinator Lonnie C. Edwards 1987
Box 1 Folder 19 Budget- 1987 Budget Outreach, Constituency Coordinator Fred Rice 1987
Box 1 Folder 20 Budget- 1987 Budget Outreach, Constituency Coordinator George Stone 1987
Box 1 Folder 21 Budget- 1987 Budget Outreach, Constituency Coordinator James R. Turner, Jr. 1987
Box 1 Folder 22 Budget- 1987 Budget Outreach, Constituency Coordinator S. Weed 1987
Box 1 Folder 23 Budget- 1987 Budget Outreach, Constituency Coordinator multiple 1987
Box 2 Folder 1 Budget- 1988 Budget Outreach Effort 1987 October 15
Box 2 Folder 2 Budget- 1988 Budget Outreach, Constituency Coordinator multiple 1988
Box 2 Folder 3 Budget- Budget highlights, briefings 1987 October-December
Box 2 Folder 4 Campaign- Jewish Voters for a United Chicago/Jewish Support Committee, Correspondence, notes, campaign literature 1982-1987
Box 2 Folder 5 Campaign- Lakefront Organizing, meeting agenda and program suggestions 1985 April
Box 2 Folder 6 Campaign- Memo, notes re: Tom Hynes campaign for Assessor 1983, 1986, 1987, undated
Box 2 Folder 7 Campaign- Notebook, “Correspondence,” includes general planning notes and contacts/notes for phone canvassing by precinct undated
Box 2 Folder 8 Campaign, 1983- Jewish voters, correspondence, press strategy 1983, 1984, undated
Box 2 Folder 9 Campaign, 1983- Notes 1982, undated
Box 2 Folder 10 Campaign, 1983- Women's Network for Washington 1983, undated
Box 2 Folder 11 Campaign, 1987- “Chicago Is Working Better than Ever for Everyone: Major Accomplishments of Mayor Harold Washington” 1986
Box 2 Folder 12 Campaign, 1987- Chicago’s Jewish Federation, Mayor Harold Washington’s Six Day Visit to Israel, July 1985 with photos and text by Helen Shiller 1987 January
Box 2 Folder 13 Campaign, 1987- Jewish Voters for a United Chicago, Fundraising, correspondence 1986-1987
Box 2 Folder 14 Campaign, 1987- Jewish Voters for a United Chicago, Lox and Bagel brunch and rally, planning notes 1987, undated
Box 2 Folder 15 Campaign, 1987- Jewish Voters for a United Chicago, Lox and Bagel brunch and rally, planning notes, mailing lists circa 1987
Box 2 Folder 16 Campaign, 1987- Jewish Voters for a United Chicago, Lox and Bagels brunch and rally, planning notes, re-election events 1987 February-March
Box 2 Folder 17 Campaign, 1987- Jewish Voters for a United Chicago, Lox and Bagels brunch and rally, press release, invoice 1987 February-March
Box 2 Folder 18 Campaign, 1987- Jewish Voters for a United Chicago, Mayoral primary re-election notes 1987 February-March
Box 2 Folder 19 Campaign, 1987- Jewish Voters for a United Chicago, Meeting minutes, notes circa 1987
Box 2 Folder 20 Campaign, 1987- Jewish Voters for United Chicago, “A Message for Jewish Voters...” circa 1987
Box 2 Folder 21 Campaign, 1987- Press release, “Vote for his record—Not his color!” (draft) and notes circa 1987
Box 2 Folder 22 Campaign, 1987- Speeches, talking points (with notations) 1987 February, undated
Box 2 Folder 23 Campaign, 1987- Washington re-election literature 1987 February, undated
Box 3 Folder 1 City Government- 1986 Priority Programs, 1987 Priority Programs 1986-1987
Box 3 Folder 2 City Government- Action agenda, objectives and priorities by topic undated
Box 3 Folder 3 City Government- Development Subcabinet, meeting minutes 1988 April 13-27
Box 3 Folder 4 City Government- Jewish appointees undated
Box 3 Folder 5 City Government- Mayor’s office, memos 1987 April 9, 1987 June 3
Box 3 Folder 6 City Government- Planning, Department of, “Targeted Planning Areas for 1988” 1987 August 10
Box 3 Folder 7 City Government- Report, “Evaluations Received as of December 12, 1985” 1985 December
Box 3 Folder 8 City Government- Subcabinets, “1986 Program Priorities by Subcabinet with Department Objectives” 1986 May 22
Box 3 Folder 9 City Government- Transition committee, Memos, notes re: second term work plan 1987 May 13-June 24
Box 3 Folder 10 City Government- Transition committee, External Affairs Citizen Participation Project, “excluded interests” and “participatory relationships needing improvement” interview matrixes 1987 June-September
Box 3 Folder 11 City Government- “Washington Record by Interest Group” 1986
Box 3 Folder 12 City Government, 1988 Management Plan- 1988 Key Objectives, Proposed key objectives 1987 July 24-31, undated
Box 3 Folder 13 City Government, 1988 Management Plan- Aviation, Department of, key objectives and proposals 1987 July 10
Box 3 Folder 14 City Government, 1988 Management Plan- Chicago Public Library, key objectives and proposals 1987 July 14
Box 3 Folder 15 City Government, 1988 Management Plan- Data Processing, key objectives and proposals 1987 July
Box 3 Folder 16 City Government, 1988 Management Plan- Draft, “Comprehensive Goals and Policies, 1988 Management Plan” 1987 July 17
Box 3 Folder 17 City Government, 1988 Management Plan- Draft, four-year plan circa 1987
Box 3 Folder 18 City Government, 1988 Management Plan- Draft, “Four Year Plan, Based on Action Agenda Objectives,” revised 1987 July 24
Box 3 Folder 19 City Government, 1988 Management Plan- Draft, “Goals and Policies, 1988 Management Plan” 1987 June 22
Box 4 Folder 1 City Government, 1988 Management Plan- Economic Development, Department of, key objectives and proposals [1987 July]
Box 4 Folder 2 City Government, 1988 Management Plan- Municipal Investigation, Office of, key objectives and proposals 1987 July 10
Box 4 Folder 3 City Government, 1988 Management Plan- Planning, Department of, key objectives and proposals [1987 July]
Box 4 Folder 4 City Government, 1988 Management Plan- Police, Department of, key objectives and proposals 1987 July 6
Box 4 Folder 5 City Government, 1988 Management Plan- Public Works, Department of, key objectives and proposals [1987 July]
Box 4 Folder 6 City Government, 1988 Management Plan- Sewers, Department of, key objectives and proposals [1987 July]
Box 4 Folder 7 City Government, 1988 Management Plan- Streets and Sanitation, Department of, key objectives and proposals 1987 July 10
Box 4 Folder 8 City Government, 1988 Management Plan- Water, Department of, key objectives and proposals 1987 July 10
Box 4 Folder 9 City Government, Mayoral Speakers Bureau- Agenda and training manual, “Effective Presentation Briefing” circa 1987
Box 4 Folder 10 City Government, Mayoral Speakers Bureau- City of Chicago Ward brochures 1986
Box 4 Folder 11 City Government, Mayoral Speakers Bureau- City of Chicago Ward brochures 1986
Box 4 Folder 12 City Government, Mayoral Speakers Bureau- Contact list of speakers 1987 February 6
Box 4 Folder 13 City Government, Mayoral Speakers Bureau- Highlights from Mayor Washington speeches and remarks 1986 April-December, undated
Box 4 Folder 14 City Government, Mayoral Speakers Bureau- Talking points and fact sheets 1987 January, undated
Box 4 Folder 15 Community- 44th Ward Network, meeting notes, outreach 1983, undated
Box 4 Folder 16 Community- Community Renewal Society, “Building Communities from Within,” proposals and strategy 1987 November-1988 March, undated
Box 4 Folder 17 Community- “Notes Toward a Strategy to Stop Resegregation and Promote Integration in Chicago,” (draft) 1987 October 16
Box 4 Folder 18 Community, Weekly Reports- Reports re: child welfare and housing, Martin Luther King Jr. biography, Jesse Jackson ‘88 Exploratory Committee information kit 1987 October 10-23, undated
Box 5 Folder 1 Community, Stadium Proposal- “A Draft Commentary on the Proposed Westside Stadium Site and Issues Faced by Local Community Residents, City Administration, the Private Development Sector and the Black Middle Class” 1987 May-June
Box 5 Folder 2 Community, Stadium Proposal- News clippings, meeting notes, summaries re: West side redevelopment/stadium proposal 1987 May-September
Box 5 Folder 3 Publications- 44th Ward News, “Promises Made—Promises Kept: Alderman Hansen’s First Five Months in Office” 1983 August-September
Box 5 Folder 4 Publications- Chicago Assyrian, “A Man Who Dared to be Different: The Only Mayor Who Heeded Assyrian Concerns” 1987 December
Box 5 Folder 5 Publications- Chicago Metro News, “In Memory of Mayor Harold Washington, 1922-1987" 1987 December 5
Box 5 Folder 6 Publications- Chicago Reader, “The Blacks and the Browns” by Gary Rivlin undated
Box 5 Folder 7 Publications- Chicago Times, “A Good Politician – Period" by Eugene Kennedy 1987 September-October
Box 5 Folder 8 Publications- Chicago: Working Better Than Ever—For Everyone [1987]
Box 5 Folder 9 Publications- Chicago Works Together Planning Taskforce, Chicago Works Together II: Recommended Changes to the 1984 Chicago Development Plan 1987 August
Box 5 Folder 10 Publications- Health, Department of, Cookbook of Sober Drinks and Other “Smart” Ideas 1986
Box 5 Folder 11 Publications- Housing, Department of, A Citizen’s Guide to the Department of Housing undated
Box 5 Folder 12 Publications- Illinois Issues, “Washington at Midterm: A look at the Record” 1985 January
Box 5 Folder 13 Publications- Illinois Issues, “Community Organizing: Alinsky’s Legacy” 1988 January-February
Box 5 Folder 14 Publications- Mayor’s Office of Inquiry and Information, “Updated Material for your City of Chicago Municipal Handbook” 1987 July 30
Box 5 Folder 15 Publications- Neighborhood Works, “Mayoral Plans Chart Different Futures for City” 1984 September
Box 5 Folder 16 Publications- News clippings, Midterm election 1985 April
Box 5 Folder 17 Publications- News clippings, “Community and Ethnic Press Clippings 2 of 6, Black Press” 1987 December 17-24
Box 5 Folder 18 Publications- Newsletter, Office of the Mayor, “Letter from City Hall” 1985 April-1987 January
Box 5 Folder 19 Publications- Research and Issues Committee, “Washington for Mayor Campaign, The Washington Papers: A Commitment to Chicago. A Commitment to You, Committee to Elect Harold Washington Mayor of Chicago” [1983]
Box 5 Folder 20 Publications- University of Illinois at Chicago and the League of Women Voters, Blueprint of Chicago Government: A Study for Mayor Harold Washington by the Agency Review Unit of the Transition Team 1983 May
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