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Norma Spector Papers

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Held at: Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division [Contact Us]

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.

Overview and metadata sections

Spector, Norma

Norma Spector was born Norma Hanan on December 31, 1922, in New York City. Her father left the family when she was very young. Her brother was several years older than Norma, and he lost contact with the family when he left. Her mother was a garment worker and a member of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union. Norma's earliest memories reflect the dire poverty of her early life - moving every few months when her mother couldn't pay the rent, never having enough food in the house. Norma excelled in literature and science in public school. She attended James Madison High School in Brooklyn, where her first political activity was building support for Republican Spain's defense against Franco fascism. She worked for the International Longshore Workers Union for a time after the war. When the military junta seized power in Greece, she worked for the Greek Seamen's Union in the United States, where she lobbied state and national elected officials and other national figures to defend Greek seamen who were being persecuted here and to change government policy, which backed the Greek junta. She also helped initiate a campaign in support of the prisoners at the Makronēsos detention camp in Greece. During this period she became close friends with some of the leaders of the Greek Seamen's Union and of the Communist Party of Greece, including Tony Ambatielos and Betty Bartlett-Ambatielos. It was then when a Greek ship put in to the New York port and the ship's crew brought to the union office a cardboard box of papers wrapped in cloth. The seamen said it was from Makronēsos, one of the detention camps in Greece.

Norma met and married Harry Spector in 1952. They settled in Brooklyn and had a son and two daughters. Harry, who died in 1996, was her closest friend and biggest supporter for 44 years. In the 1960s she was active in the Brooklyn Congress on Racial Equality. Norma was one of the founders of Women Strike for Peace, which campaigned against the war in Vietnam and for nuclear disarmament, and Women for Racial and Economic Equality, which added a working-class perspective to the feminist movement. She represented both organizations at international events and met and became friends with women activists from many countries. Norma now lives in Miami, Florida. She has five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The collection consists of papers relating to post-World War II Greek history and politics, 1940s-1970s: the Greek Civil war, detention camps for left-wing activists, international human rights efforts on behalf of Greek political prisoners and union leaders, all the way to the Greek military dictatorship. Included are letters and manuscripts in very small handwriting in the type of diaries that were smuggled out of the Gyaros detention camp dated in 1947-1955. Also present are three typescript transcriptions of handwritten letters that were smuggled out of the prison-island of Gyaros, the Athens security police station, and the island of Leros, dated 1967; personal and professional correspondence with Spector and other individuals, such as Betty Bartlett, organizations, and committees supporting the abolition of the detention camps, the re-establishment of democracy in Greece, and the defence of political prisoners. There are signed typed letters from influential people to the Prime-Ministers of Greece, Nikolaos Plastēras and Konstantinos Karamanlis as well as to other Greek politicians and a letter from Eleanor Roosevelt to a Greek woman. In addition, the collection contains flyers, pamphlets and newspapers, a typescript of a statement of Margarita Papandreou, and a typescript draft of a treatment of a documentary on the Greek struggle accompanied by a copy of a typed letter signed by Andreas Papandreou, leader of Panellēnio Apeleutherōtiko Kinēma (P.A.K.) [National Liberation Movement].

Organized into the following files: documents, correspondence, and printed matter.

Gift of Daniel Spector to the Program in Hellenic Studies for the Princeton University Library, in 2010 (AM2011-36).

This collection was processed by Kalliopi Balatsouka in the fall of 2010. Finding aid written by Kalliopi Balatsouka in 2010.

Nothing was removed from the collection.

Publisher
Manuscripts Division
Finding Aid Date
2010
Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Inquiries regarding publishing material from the collection should be directed to RBSC Public Services staff through the Ask Us! form. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright.

Collection Inventory

Documents, 1947-1955. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Consists of a petition/letter in very small handwriting in Modern Greek of an anonymous political prisoner accompanied by a document in the type of a diary that was smuggled out of the Gyaros detention camp. It is an account of the sufferings of the prisoners from 1947 to 1950: it describes the daily activities in the camp, the living conditions, and more importantly, it names the prisoners being tortured and the guards carrying out the abuse. Also, present are typed transcriptions of letters in English smuggled out in this handwriting from the detention camps and prisons of Aē-Stratēs, Corfu, and Gyaros, dated in 1954 and 1955.

Physical Description

1 folder

Scope and Contents

Consists primarily of personal and professional correspondence received by Spector from individuals, organizations, and committees supporting the abolition of the detention camps, the re-establishment of democracy in Greece, and the defence of political prisoners. The correspondence has been organized into four groups: Individuals, Organizations-Committees, Politicians, and Miscellaneous-Unidentified. Arranged alphabetically. There are also letters written by Spector as well as letters among others.

Physical Description

1 box

Scope and Contents

Spector corresponded with influential people in the United States and Europe seeking support for the abolition of the detention camps and prisons in Greece during the years 1952-1959 and 1967-1974. There is also correspondence with family members of the Greek political prisoners. She served as the Executive Secretary of the Greek American Committee for the Abolition of Makronēsos detention camp.

Physical Description

1 box

Ambatielos, Tony, 1955. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Includes a typed transcription of a letter by Tony Ambatielos, Secretary of the Federation of Greek Maritime Unions and former member of Parliament, written in his cell in Corfu prison, Greece. It is a description of the conditions in the prison.

Physical Description

1 folder

Bartlett, Betty, 1952-1974. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Includes incoming correspondence from Betty Bartlett, Tony Ambatielos's wife. There are is also correspondence among other people.

Physical Description

1 folder

Du Bois, W. E. B. (William Edward Burghardt), 1959. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

France, Royal Wilber, 1952. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Included are autograph letters to Spector, as well as typescripts of France's reports during his stay in Greece. As a liberal attorney he had participated in the defence of, and observed the administration of justice toward, individuals in Greece accused of Communist Party membership and activity. Also present is a press statement relating to the trials of the political prisoners and France's deposition to the State of New York.

Physical Description

1 folder

Gondicas, Dimitri, 2009. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Includes a typed copy of a letter from Spector to Gondicas regarding the history of the very small handwriting manuscripts and letters that are included in the collection.

Physical Description

1 folder

Rev. Kennard, Spencer J., Jr, 1954-1967. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Pappas, Kōstas, 1995. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1956. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Standard, William L, 1970. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Thomas, Norman, 1959. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Voulgarē, Helenē, 1969-1974. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

1 box

Amnesty International, 1974. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Athens Association of Families of Exile and Political Prisoners, 1958-1967. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Bergen County Committee for Latin American Studies, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Congress of the United States-House of Representatives, 1974. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Council of Greek Americans, 1955. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Fédération Démocratique Internationale des Femmes (Women's International Democratic Federation), 1974. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Federation of Greek Maritime Unions [Herculēs Arnaoutēs], 1952. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

League for Democracy in Greece, 1959-1975. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Includes correspondence with Diana Pym, Honorary Secretary of the League for Democracy in Greece.

Physical Description

1 folder

The Nation, 1959. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

National Union of Marine Cooks and Stewards, 1950. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Resolution, Inc.- A Non-Profit Educational Corporation, undated. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Includes correspondence with Norma Spector relating to the fundraising project for the documentary film: The Greek Struggle - Neo-Colonialism and Liberation. It is accompanied by a typescript draft of the film treatment and a copy of a typed letter (July 1973) signed by Andreas Papandreou, leader of the Panellēnio Apeleutherōtiko Kinēma (P.A.K.) [National Liberation Movement], in English.

Physical Description

1 folder

Voice of Women, 1967. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Women Strike for Peace, 1967-1974. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Included are letters exchanged between Ethel Taylor and the Congress of the United States.

Physical Description

1 folder

Scope and Contents

This subseries consists of signed typed letters from several individuals to the Prime-Ministers of Greece, Nikolaos Plastēras and Konstantinos Karamanlis requesting them to take actions on behalf of the political prisoners and to provide civil judges in all trials of civilians or grant political amnesty. There are also letters to other political authorities. Arranged by subject and date.

Physical Description

1 box

Letters to Nikolaos Plastēras, 1952. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Letters to Konstantinos Karamanlis, 1955-1959. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Letters to other political authorities, 1955-1967. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Includes letters to the Ambassador of Greece in Washington, D.C., to the United Nations, to Representatives of the United States Senate, and to the Greek Minister of Justice.

Physical Description

1 folder

Miscellaneous, 1955-1988. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Consists of letters with several friends and collaborators of Spector, some of them unidentified. There is incoming and outgoing correspondence with Dave Jenkins, Elder Paul McClure, Maurice Braverman, and Thanasis [Tsokas].

Physical Description

1 folder

Scope and Contents

Includes original and copies of news bulletin and press references relating to Greece during the period of the organizations's activities.

Physical Description

1 box

American Committee for Democracy and Freedom in Greece, 1974. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Association Internationale des Juristes Démocrates (International Association of Democratic Lawyers), 1955 February-1957 July. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Committee for the Restoration of Democratic Government in Greece, 1967. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Includes an appeal to Americans and a newsletter from the Committee, no. 2, July-Aug. 1967

Physical Description

1 folder

Congressional Record, 1950-1974. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Includes the official records of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress. Included are the following issues: 81st Congress (1950); no. 27, Feb. 17, 1969; no. 91, June 6, 1972; no. 52, April 10, 1974.

Physical Description

1 folder

Dēmokratia - Greek Ant-Dictatorial Committees, U.S.A., 1974. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Includes a press release of June 28, 1974 and an account of the activities for the years 1973-1974, dated in July 7, 1974.

Physical Description

1 folder

Greek News Agency, 1972-1973. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Includes original copies of 2 issues: Jan. 1973 and Dec. 12, 1972.

Physical Description

1 folder

League for Democracy in Greece, 1967-1968. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Includes the Greek News Bulletin and the annual report of the League, June 1968; also a typescript of "Our Greek Backyard," an appeal to all Americans to demand amnesty and restoration of civil rights in Greece. It was prepared in cooperation with the League and released by Spencer Kennard.

Physical Description

1 folder

New York Committee for Trade Union Action and Democracy, undated. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Includes an account of the political situation in Greece from 1967 to 1974.

Physical Description

1 folder

North American Greek Relief Fund, 1974. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Includes a report of a meeting on January 13, 1974.

Physical Description

1 folder

The Patriotic Front, 1967. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Includes the News Bulletin, no. 2, May 1967.

Physical Description

1 folder

The Rights of Man, 1973. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Includes the Bulletin of the International League for the Rights of Man, Nov. 1973.

Physical Description

1 folder

The Word-Organ of the United Socialist Movement, undated. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Includes 2 issues of The Word, August/September 1963 and October 1963 relating to Betty Bartlett's appeal to Queen Frederika accompanied by a booklet: "Give me back my husband. Release Tony Ambatielos and all the political prisoners of Greece."

Physical Description

1 folder

Flyers - Pamphlets - Newspapers, 1967-1968. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Included are flyers of the American Council for a Democratic Union and Greek Fur Workers Union, the Federation of Greek Maritime Unions, and a pamphlet of the Committee for the Abolition of Makronēsos. Also present are: the Greek newspaper Eleutherē Patrida, issue 4, Paris, 23 Iouniou 1968; The Hellenic American - An Independent Greek-American Newspaper, vol. 2, July 15, 1967; a clipping of the New York Times, Sept. 5, 1967, relating to deportation of the Greek composer, Mikis Theodorakis, to an Aegean island detention camp; a copy of the Observer Foreign News Service, June 23, 1967; photocopies of clippings of the Village Voice, June 1967; a newspaper clipping of a short biographical note of the political prisoner Ellē Eleutheriadou, in Modern Greek, accompanied by a typescript copy in English; and a typescript copy of a statement of foreign legal observers on the special Athens trial (July 1970).

Physical Description

1 folder

Miscellaneous Material, 1968-1973. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Included are: a typescript copy relating to Giannēs Markopoulos' works; a printed copy of biographical data on Manōlēs Glezos; a printed copy of a resistance manifesto of Mikis Theodorakis; typescript copy of a message from the resistance organization Rēgas Pheraios, London, June 1968; a list of names of political prisoners that were brought to trial (undated); a statement of Margarita Papandreou before the subcommittee of Europe of U.S. House of Representatives, dated July 1971.

Physical Description

1 folder

Print, Suggest