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Mary Jane Galer Legislative Records Collection (MC 195) - Columbus State University

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Archives and Special Collections

Mary Jane Galer Legislative Records Collection (MC 195)

Biographical Information

Born in Port Arthur, Texas (1924), Mary Jane Perkins Galer is a well-respected Columbus resident noted for her many achievements as an educator, librarian, representative in the Georgia State Legislature (1977-1989), advocate for women's rights, author, and member of numerous civic and professional organizations. After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh in 1945 with a B.A. in Education, she began her professional career as a teacher and high school librarian. While teaching, she went to graduate school and received a Master's in Library Science from the Carnegie Institute of Technology (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) in 1947. In November 1951, she married Robert Fulton Galer, who in 1960 was assigned to Fort Benning as Inspector General. She then worked on Post as an Army Librarian until 1967 when she was hired by Columbus College, Columbus, Georgia. For ten years she served as an Associate Librarian and Associate Professor, chairing many committees and continuing her education by attaining Graduate hours in Political Science (1975-1978). After election in 1976 as Muscogee County's second woman representative to state legislature, she was forced to leave her position at Columbus College. Serving 12 years in the Georgia House of Representatives Galer's accomplishments include influencing an agreement involving water allocation and the uses of the Chattahoochee, Flint, and Apalachicola Rivers by Georgia, Alabama and Florida, revised Guardianship laws for incapacitated adults, allowed garnishment of pensions for alimony and child support, removed collaboration requirements in rape cases and improved child support enforcement laws to comply with Federal guidelines. In addition to her legislative position, in 1986 she became the Director for Library Services at Troy State University at Ft. Benning, Georgia, a position in which she served until 1994. Mary Jane Galer has authored or edited three books, which include Columbus, GA: Lists of People 1828-1852 and Sexton's Reports to 1866; Historic Linwood Cemetery with Linda Kennedy; and Dr. Azor and Gloriana Purdy Betts: Loyalists and Hearty Pioneers.

Scope and Content

This collection contains materials from Mary Jane Galer's six terms in the Georgia Legislature. Series 1 is entitled Speeches and holds articles, speeches on various subjects, awards, one date book, and installations into civic organizations. Series 2 includes a variety of correspondence from 1976-1980. Series 3 comprises Legislative Activities and holds legislative reports, gatherings, cases and press releases. Series 4 contains newspaper clippings from 1974-1988. Series 5 is a collection of photographs from 1977-1988. Series 6 contains awards including a letter from President Jimmy Carter. Series 7 focuses on laws and legislation that Galer influenced and led, such as the Tri-River compact of 1979, legislation to eliminate the marriage tax, foster parent awards and grandparents visitation rights.

Permission to Publish

Permission to publish material from the Mary Jane Galer Legislative Records Collection must be obtained from the Columbus State University Archives. Use of the following credit line for publication or exhibit is required:

Mary Jane Galer Legislative Records Collection Columbus State University Archives Columbus, Georgia

Provenance

Donated to Columbus State University in 2004 by Mary Jane Galer.

Box and Folder List

Series 1 - Speeches

Box 1

  • Folder 1: Articles about Mary Jane Galer
  • Folder 2: Awards and Date Book
  • Folder 3: Booklets, Pamphlets, and Programs 1 of 2
  • Folder 4: Booklets, Pamphlets, and Programs 2 of 2
  • Folder 5: Campaign Speeches
  • Folder 6: Child Support Speeches
  • Folder 7: General Assembly: Women and State Pensions Speeches
  • Folder 8: Global Community Speeches
  • Folder 9: Installations of Community Organizations and Officers
  • Folder 10: Legislative Session Speeches
  • Folder 11: Speeches Mary Jane Galer
  • Folder 12: Various Speeches 1 of 2
  • Folder 13: Various Speeches 2 of 2
  • Folder 14: Women and Politics Speeches 1 of 2
  • Folder 15: Women and Politics Speeches 2 of 2

Series 2 - Correspondence

Box 1

  • Folder 1: Congratulations- 1980 Election
  • Folder 2: Correspondence-Appreciation 1 of 2
  • Folder 3: Correspondence-Appreciation 2 of 2
  • Folder 4: Correspondence-ERA
  • Folder 5: Correspondence-General Assembly
  • Folder 6: Court Case Correspondence
  • Folder 7: Letters from or about Mary Jane Galer
  • Folder 8: Letters of Congratulations-1976 Election
  • Folder 9: Letters to Mary Jane Galer
  • Folder 10: Correspondence 1976-1979
  • Folder 11: Correspondence 1977
  • Folder 12: Correspondence 1977-1988 1 of 2
  • Folder 13: Correspondence 1977-1988 2 of 2
  • Folder 14: Correspondence 1978
  • Folder 15: Correspondence 1979 1 of 3
  • Folder 16: Correspondence 1979 2 of 3
  • Folder 17: Correspondence 1979 3 of 3
  • Folder 18: Correspondence 1979-1986 1 of 5
  • Folder 19: Correspondence 1979-1986 2 of 5
  • Folder 20: Correspondence 1979-1986 3 of 5
  • Folder 21: Correspondence 1979-1986 4 of 5
  • Folder 22: Correspondence 1979-1986 5 of 5
  • Folder 23: Correspondence 1980

Box 2

  • Folder 1: Correspondence 1980- Miscellaneous 1 of 3
  • Folder 2: Correspondence 1980- Miscellaneous 2 of 3
  • Folder 3: Correspondence 1980- Miscellaneous 3 of 3
  • Folder 4: Correspondence 1980-1981
  • Folder 5: Correspondence 1981 1 of 5
  • Folder 6: Correspondence 1981 2 of 5
  • Folder 7: Correspondence 1981 3 of 5
  • Folder 8: Correspondence 1981 4 of 5
  • Folder 9: Correspondence 1981 5 of 5
  • Folder 10: Session Correspondence 1981
  • Folder 11: Correspondence 1982 1 of 2
  • Folder 12: Correspondence 1982 2 of 2
  • Folder 13: ERA Session Correspondence 1982
  • Folder 14: General Correspondence with session 1982
  • Folder 15: Correspondence 1983 1 of 3
  • Folder 16: Correspondence 1983 2 of 3
  • Folder 17: Correspondence 1983 3 of 3
  • Folder 18: Correspondence 1983-1984 1 of 2
  • Folder 19: Correspondence 1983-1984 2 of 2
  • Folder 20: Correspondence 1984 1 of 4
  • Folder 21: Correspondence 1984 2 of 4
  • Folder 22: Correspondence 1984 3 of 4
  • Folder 23: Correspondence 1984 4 of 4
  • Folder 24: Session Correspondence 1984 (Teacher Pay, etc.)

Box 3

  • Folder 1: Correspondence 1985 1 of 4
  • Folder 2: Correspondence 1985 2 of 4
  • Folder 3: Correspondence 1985 3 of 4
  • Folder 4: Correspondence 1985 4 of 4
  • Folder 5: Correspondence - Session 1985 1 of 2
  • Folder 6: Correspondence - Session 1985 2 of 2
  • Folder 7: Correspondence from Home Office 1986 1 of 2
  • Folder 8: Correspondence from Home Office 1986 1 of 2
  • Folder 9: Correspondence 1987
  • Folder 10: Correspondence - Session 1987 1 of 6
  • Folder 11: Correspondence - Session 1987 2 of 6
  • Folder 12: Correspondence - Session 1987 3 of 6
  • Folder 13: Correspondence - Session 1987 4 of 6
  • Folder 14: Correspondence - Session 1987 5 of 6
  • Folder 15: Correspondence - Session 1987 6 of 6
  • Folder 16: Correspondence 1988 1 of 5
  • Folder 17: Correspondence 1988 2 of 5
  • Folder 18: Correspondence 1988 3 of 5
  • Folder 19: Correspondence 1988 4 of 5
  • Folder 20: Correspondence 1988 5 of 5

Series 3 - Legislative Activities

Box 1

  • Folder 1: Cases Pertaining to Legislative Faculty
  • Folder 2: Child Support Commission Chair
  • Folder 3: December 1991- January 1992 DOT board race
  • Folder 4: Georgia Government Documentation Project
  • Folder 5: Legislative Activities
  • Folder 6: Legislative Gatherings
  • Folder 7: Legislative Reports
  • Folder 8: National Conference of State Legislatures
  • Folder 9: News Releases
  • Folder 10: North Bypass Fight with DOT 1979
  • Folder 11: Pre-Trial Screening Panel
  • Folder 12: Support Our Children Conference
  • Folder 13: Trip to Taiwan October 1-11 1987

Series 4 - Newspaper Clippings

Box 1

  • Folder 1: Newspaper Clippings 1974-1975
  • Folder 2: Press Clippings 1976
  • Folder 3: Press Clippings 1977
  • Folder 4: Press Clippings 1978
  • Folder 5: Press Clippings 1979
  • Folder 6: Press Clippings 1980 1 of 2
  • Folder 7: Press Clippings 1980 2 of 2
  • Folder 8: Press Clippings 1981 1 of 4
  • Folder 9: Press Clippings 1981 2 of 4
  • Folder 10: Press Clippings 1981 3 of 4
  • Folder 11: Press Clippings 1981 4 of 4
  • Folder 12: Newspaper Clippings 1982 1 of 3
  • Folder 13: Newspaper Clippings 1982 2 of 3
  • Folder 14: Newspaper Clippings 1982 3 of 3
  • Folder 15: Newspaper Clippings 1983
  • Folder 16: Press Clippings 1984
  • Folder 17: Newspaper Clippings January 1984- July 12th 1984 Part A 1 of 2
  • Folder 18: Newspaper Clippings January 1984- July 12th 1984 Part A 2 of 2
  • Folder 19: Newspaper Clippings July 13th 1984- December 1984 Part B 1 of 2
  • Folder 20: Newspaper Clippings July 13th 1984- December 1984 Part B 2 of 2
  • Folder 21: Newspaper Clippings 1985 1 of 2
  • Folder 22: Newspaper Clippings 1985 2 of 2
  • Folder 23: Newspaper Clippings 1986
  • Folder 24: Newspaper Clippings 1987
  • Folder 25: Newspaper Clippings 1988 1 of 2
  • Folder 26: Newspaper Clippings 1988 2 of 2

Series 5 - Photographs

Box 1

  • Folder 1: 1977 Photos
  • Folder 2: 1978 Photos
  • Folder 3: 1979 Photos
  • Folder 4: 1980 Photos
  • Folder 5: 1981 Photos
  • Folder 6: 1982 Photos
  • Folder 7: 1983 Photos
  • Folder 8: 1984 Photos
  • Folder 9: 1985 Photos
  • Folder 10: 1986 Photos
  • Folder 11: 1987 Photos
  • Folder 12: 1988 Photos
  • Folder 13: Mary Jane Galer with House Representatives
  • Folder 14: Miscellaneous Photos

Series 6 - Awards

Box 1

  • Folder 1: Letter from President Jimmy Carter

Award Titles

  • Certificate of Appreciation - Women Helping Women Honoree - 1975
  • Certificate for Outstanding Achievement in Public Service - 1975
  • The Bone Rattler Award - 1984Girls Scouts - Legislator of the Year - 1984
  • The Maxine Shapiro Goldenstein Freedom Award - 1984
  • Columbus Alliance for Battered Women-Distinguished Service - 1986
  • Soroptimist Award - 1988
  • Woman of Achievement- Girl Scouts - 1988
  • Naval Submarine Base- Kings Bay, GA - 1989
  • Women In Action Award- 1990

Oversized (shelved nearby)

  • Certificate of Authenticity "plank of wood from Hanger #2, Marine Corps Air Station Tustin California" - 1988

Series 7 - Legislation

Box 1

  • Folder 1: Child Pornography laws
  • Folder 2: Child Support - HB155 Session 1985
  • Folder 3: Claims Against State
  • Folder 4: Comparable Worth
  • Folder 5: Constitution and Amendment Committee
  • Folder 6: Durable Power of Attorney
  • Folder 7: ERA Legislation
  • Folder 8: Faculty Legislation HR586
  • Folder 9: Foster Parents Awards
  • Folder 10: Garnishment Pensions/retirement for child support
  • Folder 11: Girl Scouts Tax Exempt Cookie Sales
  • Folder 12: Grandparents Visitation Rights
  • Folder 13: Guardianship Code Revision
  • Folder 14: Guardianship of Incapacitated Adults
  • Folder 15: Legislation “Brown Lung” Byssinosis HB674 & HB1464
  • Folder 16: Legislation Eliminate Marriage Tax
  • Folder 17: Legislation 1988- Export Finance Fund-Constitutional Amendment
  • Folder 18: Legislation Pension Benefits Part-time Study Committee
  • Folder 19: Legislation proposal not passed (unemployment Comp-Good cause)
  • Folder 20: Legislation Sales Taxes
  • Folder 21: Legislation Service of process - Child Support
  • Folder 22: Political Activity Faculty University System
  • Folder 23: Probate Administer Estates
  • Folder 24: Probate Now Resident Execution
  • Folder 25: Seaboard System Railroad (Railroad Closing)
  • Folder 26: Sex Offenders - 1988
  • Folder 27: Teachers - reimburse for tuition costs
  • Folder 28: Tri-River Compact 1979
  • Folder 29: Veterans Preference

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