University of California, Santa Barbara
Davidson Library
Department of Special Collections
California Ethnic and Multicultural Archives

Anita Mackey Papers

Collection Number : CEMA 57
Title: Anita Mackey Papers
Dates: 1929-1996
Size Collection : 5.0 Linear feet (3 document boxes, 1 oversize box and 5 slide albums)
Acquisition Information: Donated in 1995 with an additional gift in 2002.
Access Restrictions: none
Use Restrictions: Copyright has not been assigned to the Department of Special Collections, UCSB. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Department of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained.
Processing Information: Collection processed by Salvador Güereña and Callie Bowdish, November 24, 2008.
Location: Del Norte
Language: English

Related Material

Other material in Special Collections: Horace James McMillan Papers (CEMA 007), Santa Barbara African American Local History Collection (CEMA 99). Anita Mackey Oral History (OH 14) which includes a publication: Mackey, Anita J. and David E. Russell. Black and Still Coping An Oral History, Volume One: The Formative Years. Library Oral History Program, University of California, Santa Barbara. 2004.

Biographical/Historical note

Anita Johnson Mackey is a Santa Barbara community leader and nationally recognized social service worker. As a licensed clinical social worker, she worked for the Veteran's Administration for thirty years in three cities: Chicago, as the first African American supervisor in social service; Los Angeles as the first African American supervisor there; and Santa Barbara as administrator of the Social Work Service Office. Mrs. Mackey was born in Riverside, California as one of eight children. At the age of ten she lost her mother and was raised by her father and an older sister. She received her early education in California. She earned a B.A. in speech from the University of Redlands in 1937.

She earned her M.A. degree in medical social service administration from the University of Chicago in 1941. Mrs.Mackey has also taught at various colleges and universities, including teaching as a field instructor in the School of Social Welfare at UCLA, and for Atlanta University and the University of Chicago. At Santa Barbara City College, Mrs. Mackey was the first instructor of the overwhelmingly popular course "Afro- American Culture," in response to the great need at the time and due to the realization that there were few African Americans available to teach such courses. One of Mrs. Mackey's many callings was to work with elementary children to improve their reading and comprehension skills. Her work in the mental health care stems from a strong belief that those with mental disabilities need spokespersons.

Mrs.Mackey has been active in many community and civic organizations and boards, including the Board of the Comprehensive Health Planning Association of Santa Barbara County, as a member of the Santa Barbara Citizens' Adult Educational Planing Council, and on the Board of Directors of the NAACP. She has served on the Citizen's Planning Association of Santa Barbara County, the Channel City Women's Forum, and on the Human Relations Council on Social Services. She has served on the Goleta Valley Community Hospital's Board of Trustees, and on the Board of Loma Linda University and Medical Center. She currently serves on the Santa Barbara Police Department Board of Commissioners. Mrs. Mackey's recognitions and awards are numerous. She is listed in Who's Who of American Women; she is a former Santa Barbara Ad Club "Woman of the Year." (1976), and was honored with the Notable Woman of Santa Barbara County Award in 1982. The Anita Mackey Minority Merit Scholarship Endowment Fund was established in 1995 at the University of Chicago School of Social Services.

Anita J. Mackey's papers were deeded to the University of California, to be deposited in the California Ethnic and Multicultural Archives. Her papers are of special value to researchers interested in studying the history of the Santa Barbara community, civil rights, women, African American issues, and the Veterans Administration. Mrs. Mackey's papers consist of speeches, correspondence, and diaries covering her travels to over one hundred and two countries throughout her life.

Scope Note

The Anita Mackey Papers reflect her richly diverse and well-traveled life. Her educational, professional and volunteer accomplishments are recorded in correspondence, photographs, memorabilia, ephemera, awards, memorabilia and other papers. Many slides and photos are part of this collection. The photos cover much of her personal life. The slides are well organized and maintain the order that she used for giving slide shows on her world travels to such places as Africa, Poland, China and the Holy Land. The current papers cover from 1929 to 1992. The papers consist of three series: Personal and Biographical, Photographs and Slides, and Publications.

Series Description

Series I Personal and Biographical, 1929-1992

This series is housed in boxes 1, 3 and oversized box 4. Included are awards, correspondence, biographical infromation and some of Anita Mackey's writings.

Series II Photographs and Slides, 1933-1991

This series contains personal photographs and travel photos. The boxes are of Anita Mackey's travels around the world and in the United States.These are housed in slide albums 1 through 6.

Series III Publications, 1970-1975

Series three contains publications with personal notes.

Series I Personal and Biographical 1929-1992

Box Folder  
1 1 Awards, Certificates, Recognitions 1929-1992
4   Award Plaques and 1933 Yearbook 1933 - 1992 1.0 Linear feet (Oversize box)
1 2 Correspondence, General (Incoming and Outgoing) 1957-1995
1 3 Correspondence - Claude Clark and Etta Moten 1984-1987
1 4 Correspondence - Veterans Administration San Fernando, California 1946
1 5 Diplomas 1920-1937
1 6 Memorabilia 1950-1964
1 7 Memorabilia 1964-1991
1 8 Memorabilia 1981-1984
1 9 Miscellany 1996
1 10 Papa's Legacy Undated
1 11 Personal and Biographical Information 1958-1962
1 12 Personal and Biographical Information 1967-1995
1 13 Queen Elizabeth II Visit to Santa Barbara March 1, 1993
1 14 Santa Barbara Citizens Commission on Civil Disorder 1970
1 15 Santa Barbara City College 1969-1970
1 16 Seven Day Adventist Church 1951-1994
1 17 Speeches, Addresses and Writings 1970-1978
1 18 Subject Files Undated
3   Additional Personal, Biographical and Memorabilia 1964-1989

Series II Photographs and Slides 1933-1991

Box Folder  
2 1 Photos - Personal 1933-1960
2 2 Photos - Personal 1949-1981
2 3 Photos - Personal - Fisher, Steve 1978-1981
2 4 Photos - Personal - Honeymoon 1937
2 5 Photos - Personal - Oluwole Ola Adekanmbi 1933-1983
2 6 Photos - Public Functions 1976-1983
2 7 Photos - Travel 1937-1991
2 8 Photos - Travel - Africa - Liberia 1950
2 9 Photos - Travel - Africa 1981
2 10 Photos - Travel - Delphi, Greece 1964
Slide Album  
1 Slides - Africa, Denmark and Moscow (contains slides originally part of tray 2, Africa 1976-1981 and tray 1, 1989 Denmark to Moscow) 281 slides
2 Slides - Europe Venice to White Cliffs of Dover (contains slides originally part of tray 2, 1981 Europe Venice to White Cliffs of Dover) 139 slides
3 Slides - Moscow, Poland, Germany and Holy Land (contains slides originally part of tray 2 Moscow, Poland, and Germany - Sept. 1989 and tray 1 Holy Land Feb. 1981) 260 slides
4 Slides - China (contains slides originally part of Canten to Shanghai, 12/80 and tray 2 Nanking to Traen to Great Wall to Forbidden City 12/80 Canten to Shanghai) 279 slides
5 Slides - Sione DMZ to Honolulu, Oakwood Tuskeju, Flagstaff and Dallas (slide box contains slides originally part of tray 3, 12/80 Sione DMZ to Honolulu and Oakwood Tuskeju, Flagstaff, Dalles March and April 1980) 256 slides
6 Slides - Holy Land and Europe (contains slides originally part of tray 2, 1981, Holy Land and tray 1 1981, Europe, England to Venice Italy) 220 slides

Series III Publications 1970-1975

Box Folder  
2 11 Publications - Afro - Unique, May/June, 1975
2 12 Publications - Higgins, Ardis O. Windows on Women, 1975
2 13 Publications - Tompkins; Walker A. and Russell A. Ruiz Historical Highlights of Santa Barbara, 1970