The United Nations officially formed October 24, 1945 after fifty countries, including China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States, met to draw up a charter for a worldwide organization of member countries. According to the charter, the purpose or mission of the United Nations Association is to "maintain international peace and security," "develop friendly relations among nations," "achieve international cooperation in solving international problems," and "to be the centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends."
The Dallas Chapter of the United Nations was formed in January 1953 and officially accredited on May 12th of the same year. The influential Judge Sarah T. Hughes was its first president, and other members responsible for helping the chapter get started were Louise Raggio, Canon Ferguson, Mrs. E.R. Brownscombe, Grady Spruce, and Luther Holcombe. At the time of the chapter's formation, there was strong opposition to the United Nations, particularly in conservative Dallas. There were often heated arguments in the city's newspaper editorials and letters from readers. The papers often reported on speeches given at various club gatherings either for and often against the United Nations. Critics of the United Nations felt it threatened the sovereignty of the United States government and even worse, promoted communism and threatened Christianity. Proponents of the United Nations, such as Judge Hughes and others, formed the chapter to counter increasing attacks in Dallas against it. They believed that the organization was essential in promoting and preserving peace throughout the world and protecting future generations from the scourge of war.
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3. United Nations Association, Dallas Chapter
This collection documents the inner workings of the UNA Dallas Chapter, including programs and education, financial materials, advocacy issues relating to the UNA, membership lists and reports, and publications such as the
The United Nations Association, Dallas Chapter collection is divided into seven series - Membership, Advocacy, Resource Development, Programs/ Education, Board, Treasury, UNA-USA (National). These series represent the different committees or sections within the chapter.
This record series is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.
Photocopying of the collection is allowed at the discretion of the archivist.
MA 04-1 United Nations Association, Dallas Chapter, Texas/ Dallas History & Archives Division, Dallas Public Library
Processed by Brian Collins. Additions processed by Bryan McKinney, 2008
Consists of membership lists, questionnaires, applications, and publications. Some information pertaining to the Treasury (Membership Cash Reports) will be in this series.
Consists of materials related to affiliations with other groups as well as press releases and correspondence advocating the United Nations.
Materials relating to programs put on by the Dallas Chapter of the United Nations. The five major programs - Adopt-A-Minefield, Committee on Refugees, MUNDO, Essay Contest, and the Annual Banquet - have been filed separately. All other program and education materials are filed by year. Some Banquet materials relating to finances may be in the Treasury series for those corresponding years.
Consists of board minutes, board member lists, correspondence, chapter by-laws, annual reports, and information on Chapters/Divisions.