President Jimmy Carter writes Bayard Rustin, expressing gratitude for his public support and endorsement of proposed federal Civil Service reforms as part of the Black Leadership Forum.
This letter reflects Rustin’s continuing influence as a bridge between labor, civil rights, and federal policymaking in the post-civil rights era. By advocating for the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, Rustin helped facilitate greater rights and representation for federal workers—a cause aligned with his lifelong dedication to labor union empowerment and social justice. Carter’s outreach to Rustin illustrates the importance of coalition-building among Black leaders in shaping transformative national policy during the late 1970s.
Carter, Jimmy. “Letter to Bayard Rustin.” March 27, 1978. The First Edition Rare Books. Accessed September 12, 2025. https://thefirstedition.com/product/letter-to-bayard-rustin/.
