 Heidi Davison Papers
Collection DescriptionBiographical NoteHeidi Davison came to Athens in 1973 and graduated from the University of Georgia in 1975 with a B.S. in Education. She began her career as a teacher soon after and taught Language Arts in area schools. Davison worked on numerous local and community associations and became politically involved in Athens when she served on a committee that aided in the Clarke County-Athens city unification process in the late 1980s. Davison entered the local political arena by organizing the election campaign for Louise McBee when she ran for a seat in the Georgia House of Representatives in 1991. Throughout the 1990s Heidi Davison served on Athens-Clarke County committees and boards related to environmental initiatives, arts foundations, and education projects. As Mayor of Athens from 2003-2011, Heidi Davison oversaw major developments in Athens-Clarke County. Some of the most important projects emphasized environmental regulations and recycling projects, public health initiatives, and arts and education funding. Many of the projects she oversaw included neighborhood safety and planning, creation of public recreation facilities, and the expansion of public transportation. She participated in the founding of Partners for a Prosperous Athens (ONE Athens), an anti-poverty initiative, that continues to be an effective source of community action aimed at decreasing rates of poverty in Athens-Clarke County. Davison continues to be active in Athens as a volunteer in multiple organizations and serves on local committees. Scope and ContentThe Heidi Davison Papers contain material related to her two terms of office from 2003 to 2011. The papers include local and state political campaign materials, photographs related to Davison's political activities, as well as awards and gifts she received as Mayor of Athens. The bulk of the documents relate to her role as mayor and participation as leader of the Commission that governs Athens-Clarke County Unified Government. The papers reflect many different areas of governance such as regional development and planning, zoning, and Athens-Clarke County Commission work. The papers also contain the mayor's correspondence, and community event programs. Many of the projects relate to environmental projects, education and arts plans, and regional development. Organization and ArrangementThe Heidi Davison Papers are divided into six series: I. Campaigns, II. Mayoral, III. General Political, IV. Photographs, V. Artifacts, and VI. Additions. Administrative InformationConditions Governing AccessThis collection is open for research with the following exception: Boxes with restricted materials are identified with an R before the box number. An access restriction note follows each restricted folder title with an explanation of the restriction and when the folder will be open. Series I-IV contain digital files. To access these files, please request the folders you would like through the finding aid using your research account. An archivist will be in contact with you to explain how to access the files. Please note that not all file formats are currently supported by the library for research use. Series I and II contain audiovisual materials. Reference copies of the audiovisual recordings are available upon request. Research requests will be filled as soon as possible and will be dependent upon the condition of the recordings. Preferred citationHeidi Davison Papers, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia, 30602-1641. Copyright InformationBefore material from collections at the Richard B. Russell Library may be quoted in print, or otherwise reproduced, in whole or in part, in any publication, permission must be obtained from (1) the owner of the physical property, and (2) the holder of the copyright. It is the particular responsibility of the researcher to obtain both sets of permissions. Persons wishing to quote from materials in the Russell Library collection should consult the Director. Reproduction of any item must contain a complete citation to the original. User RestrictionsLibrary acts as "fair use" reproduction agent. Finding Aid PublicationFinding Aid prepared by Angelica Marini, Anna Harris, & Jessica Wylie, 2013. Added Series VII: Additions, 2023-12-11. Related Materials and SubjectsSubject TermsRelated Collections in this Repository
Athens-Clarke County (Georgia) Unification Files Athens League of Women Voters Records Related Collections in Other Repositories | ||||||||||||||||||||||