Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Harriett Elizabeth Byrd family papers, circa 1880-2009
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Byrd, Harriett Elizabeth, 1926-
- Title
- Harriett Elizabeth Byrd family papers
- Dates
- circa 1880-2009 (inclusive)18801999
- Quantity
- 8.11 cubic ft. (10 boxes)
- Collection Number
- 10443
- Summary
- Personal files, family records, photographs, and memorabilia of this former Wyoming State Representative, Wyoming State Senator, and elementary school teacher.
- Repository
-
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Access Restrictions
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.
- Languages
- English
- Sponsor
- The creation of the EAD-version of this finding aid was made possible through a grant from the National Historic Publications and Records Commission.
Historical NoteReturn to Top
Former Wyoming State Representative, Wyoming State Senator, and elementary school teacher Harriett Elizabeth “Liz” Byrd was born April 20, 1926 to parents Robert C. “Buck” and Sudie Smith Rhone, in Cheyenne, Wyoming. She attended Cheyenne public schools, graduating from Cheyenne Central High School in 1944. To pursue her dream of becoming an elementary school teacher, she chose to attend West Virginia State College. After graduating with a B.S. in education degree in 1949, Byrd returned to Wyoming and worked and taught at Fort F.E. Warren for ten years before gaining a teaching position with Laramie County School District #1. She taught elementary school for the next 27 years in Cheyenne and also earned a masters degree in education from the University of Wyoming in 1976.
In 1980, Byrd was elected to the Wyoming State House of Representatives and became the first African American legislator in Wyoming since statehood as well as the first African American woman to ever serve in the Wyoming State Legislature. After serving eight years, she ran for and won election to the Wyoming State Senate in 1988, where she served four years. She was the first African American to ever serve in the Wyoming State Senate. During her legislative career, Byrd was the prime sponsor of legislation to create Martin Luther King, Jr./Wyoming Equality Day.
After retirement from the legislature, Byrd remained active in the Cheyenne community along with her husband, James “Jim” W. Byrd. James Byrd also set a precedent as the first African American police chief in Cheyenne.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The Harriett Elizabeth Byrd papers contain family records, personal files, photographs, and memorabilia arranged in five series. Family Records (Series I) document Byrd’s husband James, her parents Robert C. “Buck” and Sudie Rhone, and other members of the Rhone family through newspaper clippings and miscellaneous items. Personal Files (Series II) contain award and recognition certificates, biographical information in the form of a notebook assembled when Byrd was nominated for Wyoming’s “Citizen of the Century” award, newspaper clippings, school directories and handbooks from Cheyenne public schools, and advertising materials from her campaigns for the Wyoming State Legislature.
Photographs of Byrd and her family are contained in Series III. Series IV contains memorabilia, awards, and plaques. Oversized Materials (Series V) include large certificates, awards and recognitions, the book I Dream A World: Portraits of Black Women Who Changed America in which Byrd appeared, a scrapbook and copy of Instructor Magazine in which Byrd was recognized for excellence in teaching, photographs, and a photo album belonging to her mother, Sudie Smith.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Copyright InformationDonor maintains copyrights to donated materials. The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
Preferred Citation
Preferred CitationItem Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Alternative Forms Available
Existence and Location of CopiesDigital reproductions of select material from this collection are available at http://digitalcollections.uwyo.edu:8180/luna/servlet/uwydbuwy~154~154.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Related Materials
Related Materials Television commercial used during Byrd’s campaign for the 1988 state senatorial election in Wyoming can be found at the University of Oklahoma’s Political Commercial Archive.Acquisition Information
Acquisition InformationHarriett Elizabeth Byrd donated her papers to the American Heritage Center from 1996-2009.
Processing Note
Processing InformationThe collection was processed by Ronda Frazier in August 2005 and updated by Matt Francis in September 2010.
Select material from the collection was digitized by Halena Bagdonas from December 2015 - February 2016.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Series I. Family RecordsReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 1 | 1 | Byrd, James W. “Jim” (Husband) |
1974 |
| 1 | 2 | Rhone, Charles James (Grandfather) |
1957, undated |
| 10 | 1 | Rhone, Charles James (Grandfather) |
undated |
| 10 | 2 | Rhone, Elizabeth Duff (Grandmother) |
circa 1960s-1970s |
| 1 | 3 | Rhone, Robert C. “Buck” (Father) |
1972-1980 |
| 10 | 3 | Rhone, Robert C. “Buck” (Father) |
circa 1925-1980 |
| 1 | 4 | Rhone, Robert C., Jr. (Brother) |
1963-1964 |
| 10 | 4 | Rhone, Robert C., Jr. (Brother) |
1964, undated |
| 1 | 5 | Rhone, Sudie S. (Mother) |
1969-1992 |
| 10 | 5 | Rhone, Sudie S. (Mother) |
1923-1992 |
| 1 | 6 | Rhone, Thomas J. (Brother) |
1977 |
| 10 | 6 | Rhone, Thomas J. (Brother) |
circa 1948-1998 |
| 10 | 7 | Williams, Blossie Rhone (Aunt) |
undated |
Series II. Personal and Political FilesReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 1 | 7 | 1949-1992 | |
| 1 | 8 | 1973-1993 | |
| 10 | 8 | 1982-1990 | |
| 1 | 9 |
Biographical: “Memories of a Lifetime” (Notebook assembled for nomination as “Citizen of the Century,” containing clippings, photos, legislation, and miscellaneous from 1967-1998) |
1999 |
| 2 | 1 | 1999 | |
| 2 | 2 | 1992, undated | |
| 10 | 9 | 1972-2009 | |
| 10 | 10 | 2008 | |
| 10 | 11 | Magazine Articles |
1963-2009 |
| 2 | 3 | undated | |
| 10 | 12 | 1949-2003 | |
| 2 | 4 | National Circle, Daughters of Isabella, “Complete Ceremonial,” |
1952 |
| 2 | 5 | 1967-1981 | |
| 10 | 13 | Newspaper Clippings |
1964-2009 |
| 2 | 6 | 1973, 1986 | |
| 10 | 14 | 1994 | |
| Folders | |||
| 2 | 7-9 | School Directories (Cheyenne Public Schools) |
1959-1979 |
| Folder | |||
| 2 | 10 | 1961-1979 | |
| 10 | 15 | 1985 | |
| 2 | 11 | 1987 | |
| 2 | 12 | September 1967 | |
Wyoming State Legislature: |
|||
| Box | Folder | ||
| 10 | 16 | 1992 | |
| 2 | 13 | circa 1981-1993 | |
| 3 | 1 | 1981 | |
| 3 | 2 | 1988 | |
| 10 | 17 | 1992, 1994, undated | |
| 10 | 18 | 1983, 1988 | |
| 3 | 3 | 1981-1982 | |
| 10 | 19 | 1988 | |
| 10 | 20 | Miscellaneous |
1981, 1994 |
| 10 | 21 | 1988 | |
| 3 | 4 | 1989-1990 | |
| 10 | 22 | 1988, 1992 | |
Series III. PhotographsReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 3 | 5 | circa 1950-1985 | |
| 3 | 6 | 1926-1992 | |
| 10 | 23 | circa 1930s-2009 | |
| 3 | 7 | circa 1950-circa 1996 | |
| 10 | 24 | Byrd, James W. “Jim” (Husband) |
circa 1990s-2000s |
| 10 | 25 | Cemetery Markers |
undated |
| 10 | 26 | Children |
circa 2009 |
| 10 | 27 | Grandchildren |
circa 1990s-2009 |
| 3 | 8 | circa 1880s-circa 1960 | |
| 3 | 9 | circa 1900-circa 1950s | |
| 3 | 10 | circa 1900-1991 | |
| 3 | 11 | circa 1910-circa 1925 | |
| 3 | 12 | 1920 | |
| 3 | 13 | 1920-1977 | |
| 3 | 14 | circa 1940-circa 1960 | |
| 3 | 15 | circa 1970s | |
| 3 | 16 | 1924-1990 | |
| 3 | 17 | circa 1980s | |
| 10 | 28 | Rhone, Thomas J. (Brother) |
2009 |
| 10 | 29 | undated | |
| 10 | 30 | Robert "Buck" Rhone Memorial Park Dedication |
circa 2004 |
Series IV. MemorabiliaReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | |||
| 4 | “10 Best Dressed Women of Cheyenne,” |
undated | |
| Folder | |||
| 10 | 31 | 40th Wedding Anniversary Napkins |
1987 |
| 10 | 32 | American Heart Walk Honoree |
2001 |
| 10 | 33 | Certificates and Plaques |
1946-2009 |
| 4 | The Instructor Magazine Excellence in Teaching Award (see also Box 8) |
1967-1968 | |
| 4 | Making of the King Holiday Award (Glass Pyramid) |
January 14, 1991 | |
| 4 | The Museum of Afro American History “I Dream a World: Portraits of Black Women Who Changed America,” |
September 15-October 26, 1990 | |
| 4 | National Black Caucus of State Legislators Outstanding Achievement Award |
1993 | |
| Folder | |||
| 10 | 34 | Programs |
1976-1996 |
| Digital | ahcdm_10443_001 | Wyoming Diversity Website Structure (CD-R) |
circa 2003 |
| Box | |||
| 4 | “YWCA of the USA Honors Senator Harriett Elizabeth Byrd for her efforts toward peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all people” (Etched Crystal) |
May 15, 1990 | |
| 5 | Brass Bell |
undated | |
| 5 | “Educator – 27 Years” (on Retirement) |
June 1, 1986 | |
| 5 | “Friend of Education,” |
undated | |
| 5 | Longs Peak Council Distinguished Citizen Award (Eagle) |
1990 | |
| 5 | Plate (Gift from Boston Mayor Raymond L. Flynn) |
undated | |
| 5 | U.S. West “Dream a World,” Phoenix, Arizona |
1989 | |
| 5 | Wood Stand with Small U.S. and VFW Flags |
1977 | |
| 6 | 1st Annual NAACP Dinner Awards, “Thanks for Keeping Hope Alive" (Plaque) |
undated | |
| 6 | California State Assembly for “Distinguished Public Service” (Plaque) |
October 26, 1991 | |
| 6 | Laramie County School District Number One in “Appreciation for 27 Years of Service” (Plaque) |
1986 | |
| 6 | Martin Luther King, Jr. “I Have A Dream…” (Plaque) |
undated | |
| 6 | “Our Family Tree ” (Framed Artwork and Saying by Donna Cornish-Gibbs) |
1992 | |
| 6 | United Christian Ministers Alliance for “Outstanding Community Service” (Plaque) |
1981-1987 | |
| 6 | United Medical Center Home Health Care “In Appreciation” (Plaque) |
1993 | |
| 6 | United Veterans Council of Wyoming for “Untiring Efforts on Behalf of the Veterans of Wyoming” (Plaque) |
undated | |
| 6 | West Virginia State College, Class of 1949, 35th Anniversary (Plaque) |
October 5, 1984 | |
| 6 | West Virginia State College, Class of 1949, Life Member, (Plaque) |
October 19, 1991 | |
| 6 | Western Star Lodge #6 in “Appreciation and Support of The Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Bill” (Plaque) |
undated | |
| 6 | WPA “Friend of Wyoming PTA” (Plaque) |
1985 | |
| 6 | Wyoming Commission for Women, Nellie Taylor Ross Woman of Achievement Award (Plaque) |
1990 | |
| 7 | Framed Drawing of The Vietnam Women’s Memorial, Washington D.C., Presented by the 90th Missile Wing |
February 22, 1996 | |
Series V. Oversized MaterialsReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
Certificates, Awards, and Recognitions: |
|||
| Box | Folder | ||
| 8 | 1 | California Legislature Assembly |
1991 |
| 8 | 1 | City of Baltimore (Maryland) |
1991 |
| 8 | 1 | City of Inglewood (California) |
1991 |
| 8 | 1 | City of Los Angeles (California) |
1991 |
| 8 | 1 | Colorado Black Women for Political Action, 11th Annual Tribute to Black Women |
1990 |
| 8 | 1 | County of Los Angeles (California) |
1991 |
| 8 | 1 | Disabled American Veterans |
1987 |
| 8 | 1 | Marriage Certificate of Charles J. Rhone and Eliza Duff |
1901 |
| 8 | 1 | State of Wyoming |
1986 |
| 8 | 1 | State of Wyoming Legislature |
1990 |
| 8 | 1 | West Virginia State College Alumni Association |
undated |
| Box | Folder | ||
| 8 | 2 | “I Dream A World: Portraits of Black Women Who Changed America” by Brian Lanker (Book, magazine article, and two certificates from the Ohio House of Representatives) |
1989 |
| 8 | 3 | September 1967 | |
Miscellaneous: |
|||
| Box | Folder | ||
| 9 | 1 | Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Proclamation by President Ronald Reagan) |
1988 |
| 9 | 1 | United States Air Force Thunderbirds (Autographed Print) |
undated |
| 9 | 1 | Wyoming Capitol Centennial Celebration (18 Children’s Posters) |
1987 |
| 9 | 1 | Wyoming Tribune-Eagle: Valentine’s Day for ‘Capitol Couples’ (Clipping) |
February 1990 |
Photographs: |
|||
| Box | Folder | ||
| 9 | 2 | circa 1981-1990 | |
| 9 | 2 | Rhone, Robert C. "Buck," |
circa 1920s |
| 9 | 2 | Silver Leaf Club, Cheyenne, Wyoming |
May 1938, May 1940 |
| 9 | 2 | State of Wyoming Senate, 50th Legislature |
1989-1990 |
| 9 | 2 | University High School Basketball Team (Robert Charles Rhone) |
circa 1920 |
| 9 | 2 | University High School Football Team (Robert Charles Rhone) |
1920 |
| 9 | 2 | University High School Wrestling (?) Team (Robert Charles Rhone) |
circa 1920 |
| Box | Folder | ||
| 9 | 3 | Photo Album (Belonged to Sudie Smith) |
circa 1920s-circa 1980 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Elementary school teachers--Wyoming.
- Legislators--Wyoming.
- Politicians--Wyoming.
- Politics, Practical.
- Teachers--Wyoming.
Personal Names
- Rhone, Robert C.
- Rhone, Sudie Smith.
Geographical Names
- Wyoming--History, 1946-
- Wyoming--Politics and government.
Form or Genre Terms
- Photograph albums.
- Photographs.
Occupations
- Politicians.
- Teachers.
Processed by Ronda Frazier
2005, 2010
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
