A Dayton native, Barrett was a toolmaker, technical writer, teacher, and political activist involved in labor organizing in the Miami Valley area. He also founded and directed the Labor Studies Department at Sinclair College. His papers include materials pertaining to his labor organizing efforts, his newspaper editorials, music he composed as well as his drawings and poetry.

Sweeney is a writer of young adult fiction and a graduate of Wright State University. Her papers include typed manuscripts of several of her published works, journals, scrapbooks, college class papers, and correspondence.