Whatcom Human Rights Task Force records, 1994-2011

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Whatcom Human Rights Task Force
Title
Whatcom Human Rights Task Force records
Dates
1994-2011 (bulk)
1994-2005 (inclusive)
Quantity
4.5 linear ft.
Collection Number
XOE_CPNWS0286whrtf (collection)
Summary
The records of the Whatcom Human Rights Task Force document the formation and activities of a community-based human rights organization in Whatcom County, Washington. The collection spans the years 1994 to 2005, and contains administrative and financial records, materials documenting activities and events, newsletters, clippings, and other reference materials.
Repository
Western Washington University, Center for Pacific Northwest Studies
Goltz-Murray Archives Building
808 25th St.
Bellingham, WA
98225
Telephone: (360) 650-7534
cpnws@wwu.edu
Access Restrictions

The collection is open to the public.

Languages
English.
Sponsor
Funding for preparing this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. Funding for encoding the finding aid was awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

The Whatcom Human Rights Task Force was established following a cross-burning at a migrant worker's camp near Lynden, Washington in August 1994. This incident brought concerned individuals and organizations together in defense of local human rights, and to protect community members against discrimination and harassment. The Whatcom Human Rights Task Force (WHRTF) was established to protect and promote human rights including “the right to be treated with dignity and to live without fear of violence, intimidation or discrimination due to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, political opinion or other arbitrarily assigned status.” (Source: Mission statement, Whatcom Human Rights Task Force. )

The creation of WHRTF was part of a regional response to hate crimes, and the activities of anti-government militia groups that occurred in the Pacific Northwest in the 1990s. WHRTF received early direction and support from the Northwest Coalition Against Malicious Harassment, a non-profit umbrella group founded in 1987.

From its inception, the WHRTF has sought to educate community members about human rights issues, and to advocate for individuals and groups affected by discrimination. The organization adopted the symbol and slogan “Joining Hands Against Hate,” displayed by many supportive individuals and businesses in Bellingham and Whatcom County.

Activities of the WHRTF have included the organization of and participation in marches and vigils, community workshops, and other educational events. Since 1999, the WHRTF has organized an annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights conference in Bellingham. WHRTF also holds an annual Awards Banquet honoring members of the community who have made significant contributions relating to human rights issues. As partners in the Whatcom Civil Rights Project, WHRTF staff, interns and volunteers also provide support and referral services for victims of civil rights abuses.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The records of the Whatcom Human Rights Task Force document the formation and activities of a community-based organization in Whatcom County, Washington. The collection spans the years 1994 to 2005, and contains administrative and financial records, materials documenting activities and events, newsletters, clippings, and other reference materials.

Administrative records date from 1994 to 2005, and document the early history of the Whatcom Human Rights Task Force (WHRTF). They include resolutions regarding the WHRTF's formation, as well as interviews with founding members. The records also contain copies of the organization’s mission statement, bylaws, meeting minutes, and correspondence, which document the group's stance and involvement on various human rights-related issues.

Financial records comprise budget information from 1996 to 2003, and a 2003 annual report. They also contain materials documenting WHRTF activities and events that occurred between 1995 and 2005. Many of these records document preparations and proceedings for the annual Awards Banquet and the Martin Luther King Jr. Conference, including the process of selecting speakers and award recipients, and financial planning. Financial records also document the regional “Not In Our Town” campaign opposing racism and hate crimes in Bellingham, migrant worker appreciation celebrations throughout Whatcom County, and planning and publicity materials for the WHRTF’s monthly film series.

WHRTF newsletters date from 1997 to 2008, and include a small number of newsletters from the Northwest Coalition Against Malicious Harassment as well as booklets produced by the Northwest Coalition for Human Dignity.

Reference materials and newspaper clippings include a “militia watch” clippings file that details the arrest and prosecution of several militant cells in the Pacific Northwest. Reference materials also include newspaper clippings relating to the WHRTF, pamphlets and publicity materials, and papers written by Western Washington University students about the WHRTF.

The collection also contains a small selection of oversize events posters and display boards containing newspaper clippings and photographs.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

Whatcom Human Rights Task Force records, Center for Pacific Northwest Studies, Western Libraries Archives & Special Collections, Western Washington University, Bellingham WA 98225-9123.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The Whatcom Human Rights Task Force records are organized according to the following series arrangement:

  • Series I: Administrative Records, 1994-2005
  • Series II: Financial Records, 1996-2003
  • Series III: Activities and Events, 1995-2005
  • Series IV: Newsletters, 1995-2011, bulk 1998-2001
  • Series V: Reference, 1995-2005
  • Series VI: Oversize Materials, circa 1996-2001

Processing Note

About Harmful Language and Content

To learn more about problematic content in our collections, collection description and teaching tools (including how to provide feedback or request dialogue on this topic), see the following Statement About Potentially Harmful Language and Content

Custodial History

The records were created by the Whatcom Human Rights Task Force.

Acquisition Information

The Whatcom Human Rights Task Force donated the records directly via deed of gift in 2008.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

Series I :   Adminsitrative Records1994-2005 Return to Top

The "1996 file" (1/4) is a compliation of board correspondence, meeting minutes and historical information abou the WHRTF gathered and generated by Shirley Osterhaus, founding board member and past-president.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
Formation
1944-1995; ; 2004
1/2
Statements, proclamations, and resoltuions
1995-2001
1/3
Bylaws
undated
1/4
"1996 file"
1996
1/5-1/15
Board minutes
1995-2005
1/16
General correspondence
1995-2005
1/17
Thank you letters
1995-2002

Series II :   Financial Records1996-2003 Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
2/1-2/5
Budget
1995-2005
2/6
Annual report
2003

Series III :   Activities and Events1995-2005 Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
2/7-2/10
Awards banquet
1997-2003
2/11-2/14
MLK Conference
1999-2002
2/15
Not In Our Town
1995-2000; ; 2005
2/16
Lemonade
1998
2/17
Migrant Appreciation Day
2001-2002
2/18
Film series
2001-2002

Series IV :   Newsletters1995-2008; ,   (bulk 1998-2001 ) Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
3/1
WHRTF newsletters
1997-2008
3/2
Newsletters; Northwest Coalition Against Malicious Harassment
1995-1999
3/3
Booklets; Northwest Coalition for Human Dignity
2000-2001
3/4
Newsletters (CD-R)
2009-2011

Series V :   Reference and Newspaper Clippings1995-2005 Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
3/5
Militia Watch
1996-1997
3/6
What to Do When the Militia Comes
1995 November
3/7
Newspaper clippings
1995-2005
3/8
Papers, projects, and pamphlets
2000-2001
3/9
Student papers
2000-2001

Series V :   Oversize Materials1996-2001 Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Folder
OV 1
Posters, clippings, and photographs
1996-2001

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Community education--Whatcom County--History--Sources.
  • Hate Crimes--Whatcom County--History--Sources.
  • Human rights advocacy--Whatcom County--History--Sources.
  • Human rights--Whatcom County--History--Sources.
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day--Whatcom County--History--Sources.
  • Militia movements--Whatcom County--History--Sources.
  • Race discrimination--Whatcom County--History--Sources.

Corporate Names

  • Whatcom Human Rights Task Force. (creator)

Geographical Names

  • Whatcom County (Wash.)--Nonprofit organizations--History--Sources.