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Shirley O. Bellmon Papers

 Collection
Identifier: 1996-064

Scope and Contents

Collection contains correspondence, public relations material and financial records relating to Shirley Bellmon’s role as First Lady of Oklahoma during Henry Bellmon’s second gubernatorial term (1987-1991). Four areas of interest are represented in the collection: arts and crafts, state beautification, anti-drug campaigns, and the Main Street project. Correspondence is arranged chronologically with related correspondence and documents clipped together.

Dates

  • 1965 - 1991
  • Majority of material found within 1987 - 1991

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Access to this collection is unrestricted.The collection is open for research use. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, the Oklahoma Open Records Act (http://www.odl.state.ok.us/lawinfo/docs/2006-LibraryLaws-PartE.pdf), and other relevant regulations. Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual’s private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which Oklahoma State University Libraries assumes no responsibility.

Conditions Governing Use

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of copyright. Whenever possible, Oklahoma State University Archives will provide information about copyright owners and related information. Securing permission to publish or use material is the responsibility of the researcher. Note that unless specifically transferred to Oklahoma State University Libraries, any applicable copyrights may be held by another individual or entity. Copyright for material published by Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College/Oklahoma State University is held by the Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges. All rights reserved.



Further information about copyright policy can be obtained by contacting Oklahoma State University Archives by email at libscua@okstate.edu or by phone at 405-744-6311.



Finding aid © 2018 Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges. All rights reserved.

Biographical Sketch

Shirley Lee Osborn (1928-2000) was born and raised in Billings, Oklahoma, six miles from her future husband, Henry Bellmon. She graduated from Billings High School in 1945 and attended Oklahoma A & M for one year. Shirley attended the Billings Methodist Church where she met Henry in 1946. They married on January 24, 1947. As the wife of a new legislator, Shirley Bellmon quickly became active in politics.

Shirley Bellmon’s interest in sewing and crafts led her own business designing clothing under the “Shir-Lee” label. This interest is also evident in her advocacy for home businesses during her husband’s second gubernatorial term (1987-1991). During the second gubernatorial term of her husband, Mrs. Bellmon selected four key projects as her focus: state beautification, arts and crafts, or “Made in Oklahoma”, the Main Street Project, and an anti-drug campaign. Her interest in state beautification involved both the Project 89er campaign and the “Don’t Lay that Trash on Oklahoma” campaign. She actively promoted and participated in clean up campaigns throughout the state. “Made in Oklahoma” developed from her personal interests in arts and crafts. Mrs. Bellmon promoted state businesses, particularly those that involved arts and crafts. The other two areas where she focused her attention, The Main Street Project and the anti-drug campaign, also coincided with her concern for bettering the state Oklahoma.

Extent

1.25 Linear feet (1 record storage box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

Arranged into five series.

Location

For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog or contact the Special Collections and University Archives Reference staff.

Provenance

Gift of Henry Bellmon, 1995.

Related Archival Materials

Henry L. Bellmon Senatorial Papers, Collection Number 1980-004

Processing Information

Processed by Mildred L. Jackson, 1996.

Updated by Tawny Taylor, September 2010.

Subjects

Related Names

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Shirley O. Bellmon Papers Collection Number 1996-064
Status
Completed
Author
Mildred L. Jackson
Date
1996
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Oklahoma State University Archives Repository

http://info.library.okstate.edu/scua/home
Contact:
204 Edmon Low Library
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater 74078-1071 USA

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