Cincinnati Historical
Society Library
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| The Mayor's Friendly Relations Committee (MFRC), a predecessor of the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission, was set up by Cincinnati City Council in 1943 as a means of addressing tensions brought on by the economic and social reaction to changes during World War II. The industrial war effort resulted in a large migration to urban areas, especially from rural Southern areas. The adjustments to a new way of life both in work and in housing for the newcomers as well as the acceptance of them by the long time residents led to tension, harassment, misunderstanding and hostility. The race riots in Detroit earlier that year emphasized the danger of the situation. The MFRC was designed to help Cincinnatians through this difficult time of change. | |||
The constitution drawn up for MFRC stated its purpose "shall be to study and to work out the problems connected with the promotion of harmony and understanding among the various racial, industrial, religious and other groups in this community." The committee would not take over functions already in place but, rather, would develop policies affecting racial relations and refer problems to appropriate service agencies. The initial planning groups examined the areas of education, industrial relations, discrimination, church activities and social planning (such as health, welfare, housing and recreation). The committee had over 100 members and represented a cross section of the community. Members were appointed by the mayor or were voted in by the executive board. The Rev. L. Venchael Booth was one of the early committee members. |
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In August 1945, Marshall Bragdon from Springfield, Massachusetts, was appointed executive secretary and served until 1965. His duty was to supervise the staff and to carry out the goals of the committee. Years later, Virginia Coffey, who joined the MFRC staff in 1948, reflected on the positive changes achieved by the MFRC in the areas of theaters, restaurants, hotels, schools and public recreation through mediation and persuasion. |
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In 1965, the name of the committee was changed to the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission (CHRC). Under its new name, the CHRC was to recommend "programs to insure equal enforcement of law and equal protection within the law, for all racial, religious, ethnic and economic groups in the community." |
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1967 was a tumultuous year for Cincinnati and the CHRC. During the race riots in June, the CHRC staff worked long hours to aid in restoring calm to the area. This was followed by weeks of evaluating the Commission's goals, successes and failures. The resignation of the executive director and several other staff members added to the problem. Before the year's end, Virginia Coffey was appointed executive director and quickly restored the confidence of city leaders in the CHRC. |
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Since that time, the Commission has continued to pursue its goals through intervention in the areas of police-community relations, neighborhoods, employment, housing and education. In the 1980s, women's issues and disability affairs were added to the CHRC programs. CHRC programs in 2003 included police-resident discussion groups and the "Do It Right" campaign which teaches students what to do if police stop them. Long-serving directors, in addition to Virgina Coffey (1968-1973), include Thomas Garner (1974-1982), W. Monte Whitney (1983-1992), and Arzell Nelson (1993-1998), and Cecil Thomas (2000-2005). |
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Cincinnati Human Relations Commission
Annual Reports |
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Human Relations Newsletter General f301.11 C574 Request this |
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Cincinnati Human Relations Commission Pamphlets 352.941 C574h This booklet gives a brief overview of the work of the CHRC. View catalog record Request this |
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Human Relations in Housing General f977.14 C574hu Request this |
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Virginia Coffey Papers, 1935-1984 Mss 840 This collection contains correspondence, awards, clippings and other materials pertaining to Virginia Coffey and her work with the Mayor's Friendly Relations Committee, the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission and other organizations. For more information, please consult the collection register available in the Library. Request this |
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Cincinnati Women Working Audio Collection Mss 2 AT, Interview 4 This oral interview with Stephanie Corsbie discusses Virginia Coffey's work with the Girl Scouts, the Mayor's Friendly Relations Committee, the Seven Hills Neighborhood House, and the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission. Request this |
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Robert L. Black Jr. Papers, 1957-1974 Mss 901 Robert L. Black, Jr. was a Cincinnati lawyer, who was appointed chairman of the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission in 1967. His papers include reports, correspondence, budgets and newspaper clippings primarily from 1967 to 1972 when he was on the Commission. Topics covered include police-community relations, discrimination, employment, housing, education, courts, race relations, the Cincinnati riots of 1967 and 1968, the executive directors (David McPheeters, Jr. and Virginia Coffey), recruitment of city employees, government contracts and the Commission's interaction with other organizations, such as the Cincinnati chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, the Avondale Community Council and the New Cincinnati Coalition. For more information, a detailed register of the collection is available in the Library. View catalog record Request this |
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Charles P. Taft II Papers, 1922-1977 Mss 562 Charles P. Taft II served several terms as a Cincinnati City councilman, was mayor from 1955 to 1957, and was on numerous boards and committees. His papers cover a wide variety of issues facing the city from the 1920s to the 1970s. Included is information about housing and urban renewal, the Mayor's Friendly Relations Committee (the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission), affirmative action, juvenile delinquency, and the Hamilton County Welfare Advisory Board. For more information, please consult the collection register available in the Library. Request this |
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Affirmative Action in Cincinnati By S. Arthur Spiegel in The Cincinnati Historical Society Bulletin, vol. 37, no. 2. Summer 1979, pages 78-88. General f906 H673B R.R. Request this |
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Neighborhood Registry Pamphlets f301.362 C574 Request this |
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The Social Areas of Cincinnati: Towards an Analysis of Social Needs By Michael Eamon Maloney General f977.14 M257s View catalog record Request this |
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City of Cincinnati 1981 Citizen Priority and Services Evaluation Survey By Steven Robert Howe Pamphlets f352.94 H858 View catalog record Request this |
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The Social Areas of Cincinnati: An Analysis of Social Needs: Patterns for Three Census Decades, 1970-1990 By Michael E. Maloney General f977.14 M257so View catalog record Request this |
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Sources Used for Historical Sketch:
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Copyright © 2004-2007 Cincinnati Museum Center. All Rights Reserved. Images not to be reproduced without written authorization. This online guide opened on February 10, 2004. |
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