Winifred Armstrong (#356)

An Inventory of Her Personal Papers, 1959-1962
In the John F. Kennedy Library
National Archives and Records Administration

Administrative Information
Biographical Note
Collection Overview
List of Series
Collection Description

Administrative Information

Abstract
Papers 1959-1962
African affairs consultant and speechwriter (1959-1961). Research and other materials relating to Winifred Armstrong’s work with Senator John F. Kennedy.

Access
Open.

Usage Restrictions
Documents in this collection that were prepared by officials of the United States as part of their official duties are in the public domain. Users of these materials are advised to determine the copyright status of any document from which they wish to publish.

Copyright
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research." If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law. The copyright law extends its protection to unpublished works from the moment of creation in a tangible form. Direct your questions concerning copyright to the reference staff.

Provenance
Received from Winifred Armstrong of New York, New York, in August 2008 (Acc. 2008-080).

Extent
About 1,950 items (2 linear feet; 2.52 cubic feet).

Items Separated
Items separated include photographs and oversize material (OVZ-356/1-1).

Date Opened
April 2009.

Finding Aid Prepared by
Lee Bryars.

Related Collections
John F. Kennedy Pre-Presidential Papers, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library

The Personal Papers of Winifred Armstrong (1930-

Biographical Note
Winifred Armstrong graduated from Swarthmore College in 1951 with a degree in Economics and Political Science. After traveling through Africa from 1956 to 1958, Armstrong worked as an African affairs consultant and speech writer for Senator John F. Kennedy (1959-1961).  She spent the latter part of her career working at Columbia University’s Institute of African Studies and as an ecological economist for the Regional Plan Association in New York City.

Collection Overview
The Winifred Armstrong Papers consist of materials pertaining to Armstrong’s tenure as an African affairs consultant and speech writer for Senator John F. Kennedy.  Many of the materials in this collection pertain to Armstrong’s involvement with the African Education Development Fund, housing discrimination against African diplomats in Washington D.C., and matters related to African dignitaries, economy, mutual security, and international relations. 

Materials are organized into a single series of subject files.  Please note that in cases when an original folder title did not exist, a new folder title has been created, as is indicated by brackets.

List of Series
Series 1. Subject Files, 1959-1962

Collection Description

Series 1. Subject Files, 1959-1962.
About 1,950 items (2 linear feet; 2.52 cubic feet)
Arrangement: alphabetical by subject.

This series consists of office files created and used by Winifred Armstrong during her work with Senator John F. Kennedy.  Files include drafts, correspondence, memorandums, reports, and clippings, some of which include extensive lists of contacts and persons consulted for speeches and matters related to African relations.  Subject cross-over between files is apparent, especially in regards to speech materials, which in some cases might be split between the “Kennedy speech materials” file and the corresponding subject file. Notes and memos that did not originate within a specific subject file are located in the “General notes, reports, press releases, and clippings” folder.