Girl Gas Station Attendants
Arrangement
Arrangement of the General File series is alphabetical by subject, with document types and material from across the AFRO's regional offices interfiled. Subjects are primarily original description assigned by the creators of the collection over the history of its creation and use.
Terminology used in original folder titles evolved across many offices and generations of staff, resulting in similar collection content filed under varying terms. Researchers may benefit from searching a variety of related subjects and names.
Original Location
WY0102, GFG 009
Legacy Description
Photograph, caption, clipping, and cut; Headline reads, "Girl attendants 'dress up' taxi headquarters." Caption reads, "Something New-- A novel idea has been introduced in the District by the Tan Top and Crystal Cab Gasoline Station at 2419 14th St., NW. Girl attendants, wearing short skirts in summer and slacks in winter, completely service the cars, from wiping the wind shield to sweeping out the automobiles. From left to right are Mrs. Shirley Steward, Maria Hester, June Tennille and Catherine Dade" (from The Washington Afro-American, Capital edition, September 12, 1959).
Processing Information
Most of this series has been processed using accelerated processing procedures, applying a minimal approach to physical processing and metadata to achieve uniform baseline stability and accuracy across the entire collection. All physical folders have been sorted alphabetically by folder titles assigned by the collection creators. Metal printing plates (called cuts) have been removed, damaged folders have been replaced, and the content of thick folders has been divided into multiple folders for physical stabilization.
Folder titles in the finding aid conform to written titles on the physical folders, but content has not always been verified. When folders are replaced or cuts removed, folder content may also be verified against the title. Married women’s names are added to the record if their names are missing from folder titles but are found in folder content. Content warnings have been added to folders whose content may be harmful to encounter. Condition notes have been added when condition issues were found that may affect access.
Accelerated processing does not typically include adding dates and document types to folder records, though some large subjects have been arranged and described in more granular detail to facilitate research. See processing information notes throughout the finding aid for the approach taken within specific subjects. Metadata created before the processing project that began in 2023 is labeled “Legacy Description” in this finding aid, and typically has not been verified against folder content recently.
Researchers may discover errors and gaps in the description, or folders that need content warnings, or that need notes about documents found in fragile condition. Archives staff welcome information to help us improve collection description.
Repository Details
Part of the Afro-American Newspapers Archives/Afro Charities Repository