Title:
Medical Committee for Civil Rights – March on Washington Typed Information Sheets (August 28, 1963)

Description:
Offered here is a group of five typed information sheets issued by the Medical Committee for Civil Rights (MCCR) in preparation for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, dated August 28, 1963. The documents measure approximately 8.5" x 11" and are printed on colored paper. The set totals five pages and includes logistical instructions, organizational guidance, and messaging directed specifically to participating medical professionals. Condition is very good, with some edge fading to the colored sheets and light handling wear consistent with age and use.

The documents contain detailed participation instructions, including attire recommendations, meeting locations, and marching organization. Notably, the sheets emphasize professionalism, unity, and discipline during what was anticipated to be a large-scale and demanding event.

Historical Context:
The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, held on August 28, 1963, stands as one of the most significant civil rights demonstrations in American history, drawing approximately 250,000 participants—an estimated 75 to 80 percent of whom were African American. Organized by a coalition including CORE, NAACP, the National Urban League, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, the march called for economic justice and civil rights and featured Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech.

These documents reflect the organized participation of the Medical Committee for Civil Rights, founded in 1963 by physicians John Holloman Jr. and Walter Lear. The MCCR mobilized healthcare professionals to support civil rights efforts, advocating for desegregation in medical care and providing aid to activists. Their involvement in the march underscores the broader engagement of professional communities in the movement.

The sheets also reference key figures and organizations within the medical and civil rights communities and highlight the structured role of healthcare workers within the demonstration. The MCCR’s activism contributed to mounting pressure on institutions such as the American Medical Association, which formally ended its policy of racial exclusion in 1968.

Authentication & Encapsulation:
N/A

• Additional Documentation & Provenance: At buyer’s request, Historical Autographs Gallery will include an additional “Historical Autographs Gallery Certificate” signed by our company founder Luke Pascal at no cost.

Closing Appeal:
This set of original March on Washington materials offers a compelling and tangible connection to one of the most pivotal moments in American civil rights history. With direct ties to the Medical Committee for Civil Rights and its organized role in the march, these documents provide both historical depth and institutional perspective, making them highly desirable for collectors of civil rights memorabilia and 20th-century American history.

Shipping Notice:
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