Memorial Resolution in Honor of Taronda Spencer

Whereas, Taronda Spencer, served as College Archivist and Historian of Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia from 1997 to 2013, culminating her twenty-eight years of service to the archival profession; and

Whereas, Taronda Spencer, attended Spelman College earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in History in 1980; and

Whereas, Taronda Spencer, received a Master of Arts degree in History and Archives Administration from the University of New Orleans in 1985 and joined the staff at The New Orleans Historic Collection in New Orleans, Louisiana until 1991; and

Whereas, Taronda Spencer, in 1989 became a charter member of the Academy of Certified Archivists; and  

Whereas, Taronda Spencer, from 1992 to 1997 while at Wayne State University, surveyed archival and manuscripts collections housed at 99 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs); and in 1999 Provenance, the peer-reviewed journal of the Society of Georgia Archivists, published her article, “The Evolution of the Cooperative Historically Black Colleges and Universities Archival Survey Project; and 

Whereas, Taronda Spencer, lent her gifts to the archival profession and to the nation as an archival consultant to the United Negro College Fund/Andrew W. Mellon Archival Research Institute, Children’s Defense Fund, and Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, North Carolina; and

Whereas, Taronda Spencer, further lent her gifts, for nineteen years, to the Society of American Archivists, the oldest and largest national archival professional association in North America; diligently serving on the Committee on the Status of Women, Harold T. Pinkett Minority Student Award Committee, Nominating Committee, and as Chair of the Archivists and Archives of Color Roundtable; and

Whereas, Taronda Spencer, throughout her career was dedicated to, preserving the history of African American education in the United States and mentoring a new generation of archivists from the Atlanta University Center; now therefore be it

Resolved, that the Archivists and Archives of Color Roundtable of the Society of American Archivist, on behalf of its members, recognizes the notable achievements and distinguished career of Taronda Spencer and finds comfort knowing she served her alma mater and the profession well until the end; and be it further

Resolved, that the roundtable expresses its sincere sympathy to the family of Taronda Spencer and Spelman College, that we place a copy of this resolution in the permanent archives of the Society of American Archivists, and that we also submit a copy of this resolution to the family of Taronda Spencer in order to show her loved ones and colleagues the high esteem in which we hold her life and her legacy.

Respectfully submitted,

The Officers and Members of the Archivists and Archives of Color Roundtable, Society of American Archivists 

Steven De’Juan Booth, Chair

June 1, 2013