Lynne Cleverdon, and her husband David both participated in the Mississippi Freedom Summer, an effort in 1964 to register that state's disenfranchised African-American population. They returned to Chicago, Illinois in late 1964, and over the next several years both became involved in Democratic politics, including a stint working for Congressman Abner Mikva, and culminating in David's involvement with Dan Walker's campaign for Governor in 1972. Lynne also taught elementary school for a time on the south side of Chicago.
Interview Links
A Winner Walkin' Home: The Ballad of Dan Walker
A ballad written and sung by Stan Hitchcock in 1972
Feature Excerpt
JFK Assassination
Abstract
Interview Session 01 (Audio)
Cleverdon's early life, education and marriage.
Interview Session 02 (Audio)
1964 Mississippi Freedom Summer
Interview Session 03 (Audio)
Chicago Democratic politics in 1960s-70s
Transcript
Photos
Caption
Kim Blackwell (holding Guv’s leash) advancing her first event for Governor Thompson in May 1977, a Khoury League baseball game in Springfield.
Where:
Springfield, IL
When:
May 1977
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Gov. Jim Thompson and his wife, Jayne Carr Thompson, in September 1977 during his first year as governor.
Where:
Unknown
When:
September 1977
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Governor Thompson frequently used the executive mansion to entertain his staff and thank them for their work. This is an invitation to the staff Christmas party in 1978.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1978
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Powered by caffeine, the narrator staffs the Midwestern Governor’s Conference, August 24–26, 1980.
Where:
Unknown
When:
August 24-26, 1980
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Jayne Thompson, Samantha Thompson, and Kim Blackwell at a parade in Beardstown, Illinois, September 27, 1980.
Where:
Beardstown, IL
When:
September 27, 1980
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Kim worked on Ronald Reagan’s last campaign stop in 1980, a rally held on 3 November in Peoria, Illinois. L-R: Comedian Bob Hope, Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford, George H.W. Bush.
Where:
Peoria, IL
When:
November 3, 1980
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
During the Peoria rally, a New York Times photographer snapped this picture of Kim Blackwell between George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan. She endured some ribbing from the staff for her sudden national prominence over Governor Thompson.
Where:
Peoria, IL
When:
November 3, 1980
Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.
Caption
In July 1980, several Thompson staffers decided to take a recreational vehicle to the Republican National Convention in Detroit. From L-R are Greg Baise, Gary Starkman, Julian D’Esposito, and an unidentified man passing the time with a card game.
Where:
Unknown
When:
July 1980
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Asst. press secretary Jim Williams, Thompson’s advance man Jim Skilbeck, and speechwriter Paul Simmons. Simmons penned, “Are you better off today than you were four years ago?” for Gov. Thompson, but he let Reagan use it as his 1980 campaign slogan.
Where:
Unknown
When:
July 1980
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Kim Blackwell’s pass to the 1980 Republican National Convention held in Detroit in July, 1980.
Where:
Detroit, MI
When:
July 1980
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Kim Blackwell, Governor Thompson, and patronage chief Greg Baise as they appeared in a Jacksonville Journal Courier article on June 14, 1981.
Where:
Jacksonville, IL
When:
June 14, 1981
Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.
Caption
Governor Thompson personalized this photo of himself and Kim Blackwell Fox with this sentiment in 1987. “For Kim—one of the world’s great ladies and friend!"
Where:
Unknown
When:
1987
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Kim Fox and Governor Thompson at the annual meeting of the National Governors Association, which was held in Chicago in 1989. Blackwell spent two years planning this event.
Where:
Chicago, IL
When:
1989
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
September 29, 1995: Photo from the 20th Reunion of the Thompson administration, which Fox helped plan. From left to right are Kim Blackwell Fox, Patricia Hurley, Governor Thompson, Jayne Thompson, Sharon Sharp and Kathy Kustra.
Where:
Unknown
When:
September 29, 1995
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo