Guide to the Archives of the City of Seattle

Record Group 3800
Human Rights Department

The Human Rights Department enforced the Seattle Fair Employment Practices Ordinance and Open Housing and Public Accommodations Ordinance, and developed outreach and public education programs to help reduce incidents of discrimination. The Human Rights Commission was created in 1963 to promote equality and understanding among Seattle residents and to study, investigate, and make recommendations regarding discrimination based on race, color, religion, and national origin. The Human Rights Department was created in 1969, replacing a small Office of Human Rights in the Executive Department. In 1980 all employment and housing discrimination functions were consolidated under HRD with transfer of certain enforcement responsibilities from the Office of Women's Rights (8400). In 1995 the Compliance Unit which monitored and enforced the Women and Minority Business Enterprise Ordinance was moved to the Department of Administrative Services and HRD's affirmative action monitoring function was transferred to the Personnel Department. In 1996, most of the functions of HRD and the Office of Women's Rights were consolidated into a new Office of Civil Rights.

3803-01
Affirmative Action Plans
1972-1976
0.4 cubic foot

Departmental policies and plans for implementation of the City's Affirmative Action program for hiring and promoting minority and women employees.

SMA

3803-02
Handicapped Services Correspondence
1972-1980
2.0 cubic feet

Chronological and subject correspondence of the Handicapped Services Unit in the Department of Human Resources. Records were transferred to the Human Rights Department Affirmative Action Unit in 1981.

SMA
Container List

3805-01
Discrimination Case Files
1975-1988
30.0 cubic feet

Employment and housing discrimination complaints filed with the Human Rights Department. Complaints are investigated and attempts are made to reach a settlement between the parties in order to avoid taking the complaint to the courts. Records include the charge or complaint, the investigator's activity log, witness statements, findings of facts, conciliation statements, pre-determination statements, file closure memoranda, and appeal statements.

SMA
Folder List

3810-00: Human Rights Commission

The 12-member Human Rights Commission was established in 1963 to promote equality and understanding among Seattle residents, and to study, investigate, and make recommendations regarding discrimination based on race, color, religion, and national origin. The Commission reported to the Executive Department. In 1969, with creation of the Human Rights Department, the Commission's function became more advisory. It makes recommendations to the Department and conducts hearings relating to housing and employment discrimination.

3810-01
Minutes and Subject Files
1958-1968
32.0 cubic feet

Commission minutes, correspondence, reports, studies, newsletters, and reference material relating to the activities of the Human Rights Commission prior to creation of the Human Rights Department.

UW
Preliminary Inventory

3810-02
Subject Files
1963-1968
16.0 cubic feet

Correspondence, reports, studies, newsletters, and reference material relating to the activities of the Human Rights Commission prior to creation of the Human Rights Department.

UW
Container List