Pauli Murray’s long relationship with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) included several visits to the university libraries and correspondence with library staff. Murray visited the North Carolina Collection in Wilson Library in March 1978, where she was asked to inscribe the library’s copies of her book, Proud Shoes. In both inscriptions, Murray referenced her Smith and Fitzgerald family ties, evidence of her long ancestral connections to North Carolina. Most likely during the same visit she donated a color portrait of herself for the North Carolina Collection’s photographic portrait collection (that photo is used for the header image on this exhibit).
Inscriptions in Proud Shoes written by Pauli Murray, 14 March 14 1978
“March 14, 1978. For the North Carolina Collection of the Library of the University of North Carolina from a putative great-great niece of Mary Ruffin Smith (1815-1885) and granddaughter of Cornelia Smith Fitzgerald – with appreciation – The Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray.”
“March 14, 1978. ‘And the Angel of the Lord said to Hagar of the lad Ishmaelite “Arise, lift up the lad . . . for I will make him a great nation.”’ To the North Carolina Collection, UNC Library from a modern ‘Ishmaelite’ of the Mary Ruffin Smith family and granddaughter of Cornelia Smith Fitzgerald. Pauli Murray.”
Letter from Southern Historical Collection (SHC) Curator Carolyn Wallace to Pauli Murray about acquiring Murray's papers for the library, 23 March 1978
A few weeks after Murray’s visit, Southern Historical Collection (SHC) Curator Carolyn Wallace first mentioned the possibility of acquiring Murray’s papers for the library, but by that time Murray had already committed them to the Schlesinger Library at Radcliffe. Wallace wrote:
“I have wanted to write to ask you to place your papers in the Southern Historical Collection. Frankly, I didn’t quite have the nerve, fearing that you would think such a request presumptuous. Last week I talked with John Flowers, who told me of his recent conversation with you. He says that you plan to place your personal papers at Radcliffe, and even though I am envious I am glad to hear they will be preserved in a suitable place. However, John says you also have family papers that should be in the South and that you may be willing to let us have them here. He suggested that perhaps purchase of them by us might help to solve a problem he discussed with you.”
Letter from Carolyn Wallace to Pauli Murray about the Fitzgerald family papers in Murray’s possession and additional Mary Ruffin Smith papers, June 7 1978
The family papers referenced by Wallace were a collection of Fitzgerald family papers in Murray’s possession and additional Mary Ruffin Smith papers. The Fitzgerald papers had been microfilmed and Murray lent the film to Wallace to make a copy for use in Wilson Library. Wallace wrote to Murray again in June, reiterating the library’s interest in the original materials:
“Thank you for permitting us to make these copies, but please don’t forget that we want the originals sometime too – and the notebook about UNC! I’m greedy, but I know you understand that I am supposed to be and it is not for myself personally."
The microfilm copy of the Fitzgerald family papers was added to the Southern Historical Collection, but Murray did not end up donating the originals. As of 1990 they were still in private hands. The “notebook about UNC” is probably a reference to notes Murray kept during the process of her application and challenge to the university’s admissions policies in 1938-1939. The notebook is now part of the Murray papers at the Schlesinger Library.
Letter from Pauli Murray to Carolyn Wallace about the Fitzgerald family papers, June 23 1978
Murray responded to Wallace:
"Meanwhile, I have not forgotten your interest in the original Fitzgerald papers as well as the University of North Carolina (1938-39) file, which has now grown to 1978-1979(?). Little-by-little I’m trying to get all the relevant documentation together, and then we shall see."
Carolyn Wallace's Reflection on her visit with Pauli Murray to the Smith Family Cemetery and acquiring additional Mary Ruffin Smith Papers, February 20 1986
Murray returned to Chapel Hill in May 1978, when she and Wallace visited the Smith family home and graveyard. With Murray’s assistance, Wallace was able to acquire additional Smith family papers from the current owner of the family home. Reflecting on the visit in 1986, Wallace wrote, “Mr. [George] Cole hospitably showed us around the house and gave to Dr. Murray about seventy original manuscripts of the Smith family, which she passed on to me to add to the Mary Ruffin Smith Papers that Mr. Cole had placed in the Southern Historical Collection several years earlier.”
Letter from Carolyn Wallace to N. Ferebee Taylor about Pauli Murray's visit to Chapel Hill, 17 May 1978
While Wallace clearly had an interest in working with Murray and appears to have developed a friendship with her, Wallace was also acting on behalf of the university administration. In between Murray’s March and May visits, Murray wrote to Chancellor Nelson Ferebee Taylor to reject the university’s offer of an honorary degree at the 1978 spring commencement. Taylor, who may have been working to persuade Murray to accept an honorary degree in 1979, asked Wallace to assist with Murray’s visit. Wallace sent a summary of Murray’s visit to Taylor, opening her letter with “I tried to take care of Dr. Murray as you wished.” Wallace also forwarded to the Chancellor’s office copies of her correspondence with Murray.
Flyer for the Pauli Murray v. UNC: Wrestling with Change in the Jim Crow South panel discussion. 3 November 2010
Following Murray’s death in 1985, the UNC libraries have hosted at least two exhibits dedicated to Murray’s life and work. In the spring of 1986, UNC librarians installed an exhibit in Davis Library to be displayed during the conference “Black Women’s Leadership: Challenges and Strategies.” The Southern Historical Collection staff prepared an exhibit on Murray and the university in 2010.