Collection Summary
Byrd, Harriett Elizabeth, 1926-
Harriett Elizabeth Byrd family papers
circa 1880-2009
10443
8.11
cubic ft. (10 boxes)
University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.
English
Personal files, family records, photographs, and memorabilia of this former Wyoming State Representative, Wyoming State Senator, and elementary school teacher.
Biography of Harriett Elizabeth ByrdFormer 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.
Scope and ContentThe 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.
Access Restrictions
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes,
and the collection is open to the public.
Copyright Information
Donor maintains copyrights to donated materials. The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright,
property, and libel laws as they apply.
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
Harriett Elizabeth Byrd donated her papers to the American Heritage Center from 1996-2009.
Processing Information
The 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.
Preferred Citation
Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection
Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Existence and Location of Copies
Digital reproductions of select material from this collection are available at
http://digitalcollections.uwyo.edu:8180/luna/servlet/uwydbuwy~154~154.
Access Terms
Rhone, Robert C.
Rhone, Sudie Smith.
Elementary school teachers--Wyoming.
Politics, Practical.
Legislators--Wyoming.
Politicians--Wyoming.
Teachers--Wyoming.
Wyoming--Politics and government.
Wyoming--History, 1946-
Photograph albums.
Photographs.
Politicians.
Teachers.
<?xm-replace_text {Title as Subject}?>
Politics, Government, and Law
Laws and Legislation
Politics and Politicians
Social Life and Customs
Education
Elementary and Secondary Education
People, Ethnicity, and Culture
African Americans
Women
Wyoming
Container List
Series I. Family Records
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 Files
1
7
Allen Chapel AME Church
1949-1992
1
8
Awards and Recognitions
1973-1993
10
8
Biographical File
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
Biographical: “Memories of a Lifetime,”
1999
2
2
Correspondence
1992, undated
10
9
Correspondence
1972-2009
10
10
"Don't Fence Me In: Celebrating Women and Girls of Wyoming" DVD and Promotional Materials
2008
10
11
Magazine Articles
1963-2009
2
3
Miscellaneous
undated
10
12
Miscellaneous
1949-2003
2
4
National Circle, Daughters of Isabella, “Complete Ceremonial,”
1952
2
5
Newspaper Clippings
1967-1981
10
13
Newspaper Clippings
1964-2009
2
6
Passports
1973, 1986
10
14
Press Release - "Poppy Day,"
1994
2
7-9
School Directories (Cheyenne Public Schools)
1959-1979
2
10
School Handbooks (Cheyenne Public Schools)
1961-1979
10
15
Ward and Precinct Map - Cheyenne, Wyoming
1985
2
11
Wyoming Capitol Centennial Program
1987
2
12
Wyoming Education News
September 1967
Wyoming State Legislature:
10
16
Bill - Child Safety Restraint
1992
2
13
Business Cards and Stationery
circa 1981-1993
3
1
Campaign Advertising Materials (House of Representatives)
1981
3
2
Campaign Advertising Materials (Senate)
1988
10
17
Campaign Advertising Materials
1992, 1994, undated
10
18
Directories
1983, 1988
3
3
Directory and Governor’s Message (46th Legislature)
1981-1982
10
19
Endorsements
1988
10
20
Miscellaneous
1981, 1994
10
21
Primary Election Returns
1988
3
4
Senate Roll Call (50th Legislature)
1989-1990
10
22
Votes Cast
1988, 1992
Series III. Photographs
3
5
Aunts and Uncles
circa 1950-1985
3
6
Byrd, Harriett Elizabeth
1926-1992
10
23
Byrd, Harriett Elizabeth
circa 1930s-2009
3
7
Byrd, James W. “Jim” (Husband)
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
Grandparents and Great-Grandparents
circa 1880s-circa 1960
3
9
Miscellaneous
circa 1900-circa 1950s
3
10
Other Family Members
circa 1900-1991
3
11
Photo Album (Belonged to Sudie Smith)
circa 1910-circa 1925
3
12
Photo Album: University High School Football Team (Robert Rhone)
1920
3
13
Rhone, Robert C. “Buck” (Father)
1920-1977
3
14
Rhone, Robert C., Jr. (Brother)
circa 1940-circa 1960
3
15
Rhone, Robert and Sudie (Parents)
circa 1970s
3
16
Rhone, Sudie (Mother)
1924-1990
3
17
Rhone, Thomas J. (Brother)
circa 1980s
10
28
Rhone, Thomas J. (Brother)
2009
10
29
Rhone/Byrd Dedication Stones at Cheyenne Union Pacific Depot
undated
10
30
Robert "Buck" Rhone Memorial Park Dedication
circa 2004
Series IV. Memorabilia
4
“10 Best Dressed Women of Cheyenne,”
undated
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
10
34
Programs
1976-1996
Digital
ahcdm_10443_001
Wyoming Diversity Website Structure (CD-R)
circa 2003
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 Materials
Certificates, Awards, and Recognitions:
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
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
Instructor Magazine Excellence in Teaching Award, Harriett Elizabeth Byrd and Rossman Elementary School, Cheyenne, Wyoming (Instructor Magazine, certificate, and scrapbook) (see also Box 4)
September 1967
Miscellaneous:
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:
9
2
Byrd, Harriett Elizabeth
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
9
3
Photo Album (Belonged to Sudie Smith)
circa 1920s-circa 1980