The Writers' Union of Canada files document June Callwood's long involvement with this organization, especially her term as Chair of the Writers' Union for 1979, her work on the Rights and Freedoms Committee, and her resignation in 1994 in response to allegations of racism and the union's lack of support for her. The records of her term on the executive include correspondence and memoranda, minutes and related documents, briefs, her chairman's engagement calendars, newsletters, and material pertaining to the defence committee formed in response to a lawsuit against Ian Adams concerning his book "Portrait of a Spy". Records of the Rights and Freedoms Committee show its response to book banning in schools, child pornography and Bill C-53, and its efforts to produce a handbook on libel law for writers. She also represented the Writers' Union on the Freedom of Expression Committee together with representatives of the Book and Periodical Development Council, for which there are records on censorship, press freedom, book banning, and like issues.
The allegations of racism made against her in 1993, arising from a dispute at Nellie's shelter, ultimately prompted June's resignation from the Writers' Union in February 1994. Clippings and correspondence relating to the accusations and her resignation from the union show extensive media coverage of this dispute and reveal strong divisions among writers. There is a letter from Heather Menzies, one of her accusers, with a peace offering, and letters of support for June from Robert Munsch, Farley Mowat, Charles Taylor, Mendelson Joe, Mavor Moore, William Whitehead, Mark Abley, Penny Dickens, Merrily Weisbord, Audrey McLaughlin, Bronwyn Drainie, Jack McClelland, Harold Horwood, Peter Bronfman, Alison Gordon, and Isabel Bassett, among others.
