Dewey M. Duckett, Sr. DMD (1920-1972) Papers

 

 

Avery Research Center Manuscript Number 1040

 

 

 

 

 

Biographical Note:

 

 

Dewey M. Duckett, Sr., DMD (1920-1972) of Rock Hill, SC was a Civil Rights activist and dentist. He worked with the South Carolina Advisory Committee to the National Commission on Civil Rights investigating complaints by citizens regarding discrimination. Similarly, he was actively involved in the South Carolina Council on Human Relations (later Council on Human Rights). He was also an advocate for Licensed Practical Nursing in South Carolina and served as the president of the African American organization Palmetto Dental, Medical, and Pharmaceutical Association until 1946.

 

 

 

 

 

Scope and Content:

 

 

Approx. 0.5 linear ft. (ca. 1949-1989, bulk 1952-1964)

 

 

 

 

 

Description:

 

 

The collection contains three series. The first series consists of correspondence mainly regarding civil rights. The second series contains writings, speeches, and lectures related to Duckett's position as a doctor, civil rights activist, and member of the Council on Human Relations, with mentions of and tributes to James McBride Dabbs, Thurgood Marshall, and others. The third series addresses Duckett's affiliations such as the Palmetto Medical, Dental and Pharmaceutical Assocation, the S.C. Commission on Civil Rights, and the Practical Nursing Program.  It also includes miscellaneous materials on civil rights, and a 1989 Duckett family reunion.

 

 

 

 

 

Dewey M. Duckett Papers (ca. 1949-1989, bulk 1952-1964)

 

 

Avery Manuscript Number 1040

 

 

Inventory

 

 

 

Box #/

 

Correspondence

Folder #

 

 

 

I.

Correspondence (Oct 1953- Aug 1964; n.d.) to and from Duckett mostly re civil rights abuses in Rock Hill, SC and the response of the Council on Human Relations; mostly from white sympathizer D.B. Whitener. Other correspondents include Elizabeth Ledeen, Alice Spearman (president of the Council), Rosa Lee Dawkins, L.N. Crawford, Mr. Mc.Iver, Peter Sussman, Rock Hill School District, William White, and Raymond White.

1-1

 

 

 

1

Works: Writings, Lectures, and Speeches

 

 

 

 

II.

Speeches (1952, n.d.) re civil rights.  Topics include medicine (esp. discrimination in hospital facilities) in Rock Hill and York County, citizenship, discrimination, and the administration of justice.

1-2

 

 

 

2

Speeches and other printed materials (1954-1956; n.d) re ending discrimination and integrating schools and colleges in South Carolina including materials (1956) re a protest of Rock Hill citizens against inadequate school facilities for black children in the area as result of Brown v. Board court ruling. 

1-3

 

 

 

3

Introductory speeches and biographical sketches (Nov. 1949, Jun 1963, n.d) on notable figures in the civil rights movement, including Dr. Reginald Hawkins, Jackie Robinson, Carl Moultrie, Thurgood Marshall, Medgar Evers, Gloria Rackley, James McBride Dabbs, and Dr. L.W. Long (a relative of Duckett's). 

1-4

 

 

 

4

Speeches re misc. topics, including progress in race relations, the role of individuals, the Council on Human Relations, poor health care in Rock Hill,  speech (1952) to Emmett Scott High School detailing hardships and successes of blacks in medicine, and a 1951 Morehouse College graduation speech.

1-5

 

 

 

5

Affiliations and Miscellaneous Materials

 

 

 

 

III.

Minutes and other materials (Feb 1952, Mar 1954) re Palmetto Medical, Dental and Pharmaceutical Association, including minutes and details re 1954 Association meeting with Thurgood Marshall as Guest Speaker. Also includes speech (1946) Duckett gave as retiring President of the Association.

1-6

 

 

 

6

Minutes, clippings, correspondence, and other printed materials (July 1960- Feb 1963; n.d.) re the S.C. Advisory Committee of the US. Commission on Civil Rights. Includes detailed reports and correspondence (Nov 1961 - Apr 1962; n.d) of incidents involving civil rights abuses submitted to the SC Advisory Committee on Human Rights.

1-7

 

 

 

7

Speeches, clippings and related materials re Practical Nursing Program. Includes history of the program by Lillian Crawford acknowledging Duckett for assistance with creating it and several speeches Duckett gave to Practical Nurses Association.   

1-8

 

Correspondence

 

8

 

 

 

Misc writings re civil rights including a statement on the violation of civil rights in Orangeburg, SC; a statement regarding race relations in Charleston, SC; a speech given to a radio station re deteriorating race relations in Orangeburg, SC; and a proposal to create a committee for civil rights in Rock Hill.

1-9

 

 

 

9

Two printed programs -- Area Centennial Homecoming Celebration (Dec 1962) and NAACP State Conference (May 1964).

1-10

 

 

 

10

Materials re Duckett Family Reunion (1989) including schedule, agenda, and family tree.

1-11

 

 

 

11

Misc materials, including newspaper clippings, and writing excerpts.

1-12

 

 

 

12

Two video cassettes of Dewey Duckett family reunion and recollection (1988).

1-13

 

 

 

13