Finding Aid for the Sally Young photographs

May 4 Collection -- Box 41

Repository: Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections & Archives
Title: Sally Young photographs
Inclusive Dates: 1968-1969; undated
Author: Abigail Fife, August 2025
Origination: Young, Sally
Extent: 0.16 cubic feet (1 slim document case)
Physical Location: 12th floor
Abstract: This collection contains photographic negatives taken of demonstrations and political events at Kent State University, University of Akron, Chicago, IL, and Washington, D.C. in the late 1960s. Includes images of Richard Nixon and Hubert Humphrey.
Language of Materials: English
Descriptive Rules: DACS 

Biographical Note: Sally Young is a Kent State University alumna. As a student, she worked on the Daily Kent Stater. She also worked at the Akron Beacon Journal and later at the Waukegan News-Sun as a photo editor. Young later moved to Philadelphia, where she spent two years as a Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA). During her time in the VISTA program, Young worked as a community organizer in public housing. From there, Young traveled to Alaska, where she has resided since 1975. First living in the bush, Young eventually moved to a small remote town where she was an adjunct professor for a university, taught in a K-12 school, and started a real estate business that she ran for 34 years. Young now lives part time in Alaska and Arizona.

Scope and Content: This collection contains large-format negative photographs taken at Kent State University, University of Akron, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and other unidentified locations. Featured events include the presidential campaign rallies for Hubert Humphrey, Edmund Muskie, George Wallace, and Richard Nixon; Muhammad Ali delivering a speech at Kent State University; and student demonstrations centering around themes of injustice concerning race and politics. Kent State student organizations are featured protesting, including Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and Black United Students (BUS).

Statement of Arrangement: This collection is arranged alphabetically by subject and by date.

Preferred Citation: Sally Young photographs. May 4 Collection. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.

Restrictions on Use: Sally Young donated copyright of the photographs to Kent State University.

Acquisition Information: Sally Young donated the collection to Special Collections & Archives in 2020.

May 4 Collection - Box 41
Folder--Contents

1. City Scenes: Charlotte Street, Unidentified Location, circa late 1960s
   Scope and Content: Possibly abandoned buildings with broken windows, doors, and furniture. Graffiti on boarded up window saying “Black Power,” “Black is Beautiful Baby,” and “Believe It.”
2. City Scenes: Chicago, Illinois, circa late 1960s
   Scope and Content: Scenes from Chicago, IL, including police presence, cityscapes, and a woman standing in front of flower bouquet and a birthday cake. 
3. Demonstration: Kent State University, 1968
   Scope and Content: Photographs depicting scenes in Kent, Ohio in 1968. Includes images of protest and crowd scenes, TKE fraternity members, police presence on the Kent State University campus, students on a Kent State bus, and crowd scenes in front of the Military Service building, Johnson Hall, and Taylor Hall.
4. Demonstration: Kent State University, Military Service building, Johnson Hall, April, 1969
   Scope and Content: Images of protests on the Kent State University campus, ROTC, and a car that hit a E. Summit Street/Depeyster Street sign.
5. Demonstration: Kent State University, circa late 1960s
   Scope and Content: Images of Kent State University Police and students being frisked and possibly arrested on the Kent State University campus.
6. Demonstration: The Robin Hood Den, Kent, Ohio, circa late 1960s
   Scope and Content: Protest scenes outside of The Robin Hood Den restaurant in Kent, Ohio, likely from the late 1960s.
7. Demonstration: Unidentified location, circa late 1960s
   Scope and Content: Demonstration at an unidentified location. Images show several people speaking to a crowd on a bullhorn. Images are undated but were likely taken in the late 1960s.
8. Demonstration: Washington, D.C., circa late 1960s
   Scope and Content: Protest scenes from Washington, D.C. Signs include slogans against Nixon and the Vietnam War.
9. George Wallace Demonstration, circa late 1960s
   Scope and Content: Images from what appears to be a George Wallace political rally and counterprotest circa late 1960s. The location of the event is unknown.
10. Oakland Police Protest: Kent State University, November 13, 1968
    Scope and Content: Protest scenes from the Oakland Police protest featuring Black United Students (BUS) and Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), police presence, a speech in an auditorium, “Oakland Cops Must Go” sign, “End Campus Complicity with Racism” sign, “We Won’t Tolerate Racism” sign, “Free Huey” sign, Vice-President of the KSU Student Body and founding member of BUS Bob Pickett, and dean of students Robert A. Matson.
11. Presidential Political Campaign: Akron, Ohio, 1968
    Scope and Content: 1968 presidential campaign event in Akron, OH. Hubert Humphrey speaking behind Vice President of the United States podium to crowd. Crowd members with political memorabilia and signs. Akron police presence.
12. Scenes: Unidentified Locations, circa late 1960s
    Scope and Content: Images from an unknown location containing pictures of police, a damaged store, and a demolished building.
13. Speech: Humphrey, Hubert in an Unidentified Location, circa late 1960s
    Scope and Content: Hubert Humphrey, speaking to a large group of people, circa late 1960s.
14. Speech: Nixon, Richard at University of Akron, 1968
    Scope and Content: Presidential candidate Richard Nixon and his wife, Pat Nixon, at a rally in Akron University's Memorial Hall during a campaign event.
15. Think Week: Ali, Muhammad, Kent State University, Memorial Gymnasium, April 8, 1969
    Scope and Content: Muhammad Ali, a guest speaker during Think Week 1969, delivers a speech in the Memorial Gymnasium on April 8, 1969. The Think Week theme for 1969 was "The Black Man in Society: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow."
16. West Hall Fire: Kent State University, March 7, 1969