The papers are comprised of certificates of awards, biographies, newspaper clippings, one oral history interview transcript, and some correspondence relating to the life and accomplishments of Elizabeth White Garlington. The papers date from approximately 1961 to 2001 and are arranged alphabetically by topic/type of document. The bulk of the collection dates from 1980 to 2004 with the following date gaps: 1962-1969 and 1976-1979. Miriam Joseph interviewed Garlington on January 30, 1999, as part of her dissertation research and provided a transcript to Garlington. Some topics discussed included Garlington’s family, her education, her professional experiences, aspects of her profession that she found most rewarding, people who influenced her life, and her marriage (briefly) and personal life, including not having children. Garlington explained that she had many godchildren and discussed her love of the arts. Many of Garlington’s awards are presented in a single folder comprised of certificates, certificates of appreciation, programs, and brochures (f.1). A brochure dedicating the 1989 National Black Child Development Week activities to Garlington was issued by the national Black Child Development Institute St. Louis Affiliate. She served as an officer and member of the executive board. In 1996, a long list of sponsors arranged “A Tribute to Elizabeth White Garlington” at Saint Louis University’s Busch Memorial Center. The list included but was not limited to Annie Malone Children and Family Service Center, Clark Atlanta University Alumni Association (St. Louis), National Association of Black Social Workers (St. Louis), ECHO Children’s Home, and The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. The following year Garlington was named a Living Legend by the Central Outreach Division of Lutheran Family and Children’s Services of Missouri. In 1998, the NAACP named Garlington the ACT-SO Chairperson of the Year. In addition to the 1998 salute to Garlington, there are also letters and newspaper clippings about ACT-SO and Garlington’s involvement with the program (f.7). There are several biographical narratives used for awards and/or newsletters (f.2). Portions of the narratives appear in newspaper clippings, brochures, and awards programs. The newspaper clippings pertain generally to Garlington’s community service and its accolades; only one article dated circa 1961 refers to her professional position with Family and Children Services (f.8). In 1992, Fontella M. Scott interviewed Garlington for an article in Take Five entitled, “The Changing Face of Black Womanhood.” The St. Louis Post-Dispatch included Garlington in an article on fashion, “Ageless Chic,” in 1995. The Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games (ACOG) selected Garlington as one of 5,500 community heroes to carry the Olympic torch along a 15,000-mile route. The ACOG attempted to bring the torch within a two-hour drive for 90% of the American population. There was a nomination and judging process to select torchbearers whose service to others or leadership was a role model in the community. A copy of the ACOG February 1996 letter congratulating Garlington on her selection is included. There is also an image of Garlington carrying the torch, possibly taken from a poster or brochure, and a note of thanks for her participation (f.9). The correspondence is comprised primarily of letters of congratulations for community awards, especially for Garlington’s 1974 Women of Achievement award. Several of the letters are copies or originals that have been laminated. Other letters include a copy of the 1989 letter from the National Conference of Christians and Jews naming Garlington a Brotherhood / Sisterhood Award winner and a copy of the 1970 letter from the NAACP asking Garlington to co-chair the Freedom Fund Dinner. There are two handwritten letters from young people (f.3). Garlington saved the homegoing program for Vida Mae Lee (1941-1999), a social worker from St. Louis. She also saved JET magazine from April 1971, which featured Whitney M. Young (1921-1971). Garlington worked with Young in the National Association of Social Workers and as the dean of the School of Social Work at Clark Atlanta University, her alma mater.