Finding Aid of the Grace J. Rohrer Papers, 1972 - 1989, PC.1799
Abstract
Grace Jemison Rohrer (1924-2011), daughter of Howard A. and Caroline Elmore (Bishop) Jemison, was born in Chicago. Some years after her marriage to Robert H. Rohrer, she moved with her family to Winston-Salem. This collection contains correspondence, memoranda, reports, handbooks, and brochures arising from the public life of Grace J. Rohrer during the years from 1972 to 1989. The collection reflects Mrs. Rohrer's involvment with various organizations, including the Republican Party, North Carolinians United for Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), the N.C. Women's Political Caucus, Friends of University Network Television, and her service as secretary of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, and the Department of Administration. As a policy advisor to Governor James G. Martin, Mrs. Rohrer served in his "Cabinet Clusters," 1986-1989, and was also involved during that time with the N.C. Council on the Status of Women.
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Grace J. Rohrer Papers
- Call Number
- PC.1799
- Creator
- Rohrer, Grace J.
- Date
- 1972 - 1989
- Extent
- 2.00 boxes, 0.66 cubic feet
- Language
- English
- Repository
- State Archives of North Carolina
Restrictions on Access & Use
Access Restrictions
Available for research.
Use Restrictions
Copyright is retained by the authors of these materials, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law (Title 17 US Code). Individual researchers are responsible for using these materials in conformance with copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying the materials.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], PC.1799, Grace J. Rohrer Papers, State Archives of North Carolina, Raleigh, NC, USA.
Collection Overview
Materials in the collection are from Mrs. Rohrer's personal files arising from her public life during the years from 1972 to 1989. The first series of Personal Papers, 1972-1989, are those created during her tenure as Department of Cultural Resources secretary, 1973 to 1978, along with other files, including those concerned with the Equal Rights Amendment, the Friends of University Network TV, N.C. Council on the Status of Women, N.C. Women's Political Caucus, and the Republican Party. Other private materials generated Mrs. Rohrer's tenure as secretary of the Department of Administration and advisor to Governor James G. Martin are grouped under the series, Cabinet Clusters, 1986-1989.
Those papers created during Mrs. Rohrer's tenure as departmental secretary in 1973 and again in 1985 are to be found with the records of the appropriate state agency. Those arising from her involvement with the International Women's Year are to be found with the records of that organization in the State Archives of North Carolina.
Arrangement Note
This collection is organized into two series, Personal Files, 1972-1989, and Cabinet Clusters, 1986-1989.
Biographical Note
Grace Jemison Rohrer (1924-2011), daughter of Howard A. and Caroline Elmore (Bishop) Jemison, was born in Chicago and educated in Cranford, New Jersey, High School, Western Maryland College (BA, 1946), and Wake Forest University (MA, 1969). Some years after her marriage to Robert H. Rohrer, she moved with her family to Winston-Salem, as did her father and his family. There she pursued her career as an elementary school educator, helping to found the MacWood School (for children with learning disabilities) and the Centenary Child Center, and serving as president and executive director of Learning Foundation (a regional tutoring service).
Active in Republican Party politics, Mrs. Rohrer served her party from 1960 to 1974 in various capacities at various levels from precinct, to county, to state executive committee. After an unsuccessful campaign for election to the office of Secretary of State in 1972, Mrs. Rohrer was appointed to a four-year term as Secretary of the Department of Cultural Resources in 1973. Concurrently she served on the board of Friends of University Network Television (FOUNT), 1975-1976, as program chairman of North Carolina's International Women's Year Coordinating Committee, and as chairman of the state's delegation to the National Women's Conference at Houston in November, 1977. Naturally, she supported the proposed "Equal Rights Amendment" to the Constitution of the United States.
Subsequently Mrs. Rohrer was appointed Secretary of the Department of Administration, serving from 1985 to 1987. As a policy advisory to Governor James G. Martin, she served in his "Cabinet Clusters." This group was made up of trusted appointees whose duty it was to develop biennial initiatives in designated areas for the governor (education, economic development, environment, and so forth) by discussing issues and proposing policy options for the governor's consideration.
Contents of the Collection
Subject Headings
Acquisitions Information
Gift, Mrs. Rohrer, Chapel Hill, Raleigh, and Deep Gap, N.C., 1985, 1991, and 1993.