Sandra Davis

Collection

Identifier: RHC-RC-309

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Sandra Davis Collection consists of research on the effects of Agent Orange on Vietnam veterans. It includes print publications, media, and documentation of veteran activism. The materials also touch upon Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Series one includes a paper and letters written by Sandra Davis, letters addressed to Sandra Davis, and a partial collection of Dioxin Drummer Newsletters written and distributed by John and Sandra Davis along with others involved in Agent Orange awareness. Series two consists of Veterans Administration publications, research, and general documents related to Agent Orange and Vietnam veterans. Included in series three are court and congressional documents related to government research, court cases against chemical corporations, subcommittee findings and statements, and house and senate resolutions. Series four consists of medical studies and reports pertaining to the effects of herbicides and chemicals on human fertility and general health with emphasis on the experience of soldiers in these regards. Correspondence among veterans, activists, and activists as well as academic and medical institutions comprise series five while series six includes documents related to advocacy and education such as informative essays, handouts, event notifications, and veteran organizations’ records. Series seven consists of news articles related to Agent Orange and veterans’ experiences as well as the publications of VietNow and other veterans’ organizations. Series eight includes official city proclamations announcing Agent Orange Screening Awareness Week, which took place July 8th through July 14th, 1990. Series nine consists of video tapes of Agent Orange seminars and a related documentary.

Dates

created: 1970-2010
Other: Majority of material found in 1970-1992
Other: Date acquired: 04/29/2011

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on access to material in the collection. All copyrights apply to published works.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights in the collection are held by the Regional History Center; literary rights are dedicated to the public.

Biographical or Historical Information

Sandra Davis began her research into the correlation between severe health problems and Agent Orange exposure as a concerned citizen and wife of a Vietnam veteran. As the result of her knowledge, she became the Agent Orange Committee Chairperson for VietNow, a national Vietnam veterans organization that started in Rockford, Illinois in the early 1980s. Her work consisted of research into the effects of Agent Orange exposure on veterans, organizing awareness and self-help events, maintaining relations with veterans and related organizations, and fomenting political pressure for veterans’ compensation. She and her husband, John Davis, also maintained a newsletter to notify veterans and VietNow members of recent developments in the Agent Orange controversy. The bulk of Davis’ work occurred in the late 1980s and early 1990s. As a result of her efforts, as well as those of other activists and veterans’ organizations similar to VietNow, Vietnam veterans continue to receive compensation for health problems due to Agent Orange exposure.

Note written by

Extent

3.00 boxes

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement Note

Series one includes a paper and letters written by Sandra Davis, letters addressed to Sandra Davis, and a partial collection of Dioxin Drummer Newsletters written and distributed by John and Sandra Davis along with others involved in Agent Orange awareness. Series two consists of Veterans Administration publications, research, and general documents related to Agent Orange and Vietnam veterans. Included in series three are court and congressional documents related to government research, court cases against chemical corporations, subcommittee findings and statements, and house and senate resolutions. Series four consists of medical studies and reports pertaining to the effects of herbicides and chemicals on human fertility and general health with emphasis on the experience of soldiers in these regards. Correspondence among veterans, activists, and activists as well as academic and medical institutions comprise series five while series six includes documents related to advocacy and education such as informative essays, handouts, event notifications, and veteran organizations’ records. Series seven consists of news articles related to Agent Orange and veterans’ experiences as well as the publications of VietNow and other veterans’ organizations. Series eight includes official city proclamations announcing Agent Orange Screening Awareness Week, which took place July 8th through July 14th, 1990. Series nine consists of video tapes of Agent Orange seminars and a related documentary.