Great news, this valuable collection is now digitized and online, thanks to efforts by USF Libraries Special Collections and Digital Collections!
The Sociedad la Union Marti-Maceo collection first arrived at USF in 1983, and features records of the Afro-Cuban mutual aid society’s organizational documents and published works from the society’s library.
Stephanie Mackin, Visiting Assistant Librarian at USF Libraries Special Collections further explains the significance of the collection: “Tampa mutual aid societies were created out of necessity by immigrant communities. Many immigrants found work at cigar factories and needed a social system that would not only provide health benefits or financial benefits during cigar factory strikes, but they also needed a place to keep their culture and traditions alive.”
One round of digitization has been completed by the Tampa Digital Collections, and another round of digitization will be completed soon featuring additional collection records which include: correspondence, meeting minutes, beneficiary records, photographs, and ephemera related to the Tampa club.
To learn more about the society’s current activities and membership, visit their website at Sociedad La Union Marti-Maceo.