Helen J. Collins, a native of Griffin, Georgia, was the most prominent woman in the operation of Atlanta Life, achieving leading positions in the company as vice president and board chairman. Helen Collins began her career with the company in 1930 as a clerk in the auditing department under the direction of Fred Toomer. By 1942, she had become a supervisor. In 1965 she was promoted by Eugene Martin, vice president and secretary, to the position of administrative assistant and director of personnel. Working closely with Martin, Collins broadened her skills to include many areas of the company's operation. She then quickly moved up the ladder to assistant secretary in 1970; assistant vice president and vice president in 1974; member of the board of directors in 1975; and trustee of the Herndon Foundation in 1976. In 1985 she was elected Chairman of the Atlanta Life Board of Directors, becoming the first woman to serve in that position. After her retirement in 1978, Collins continued to serve as executive consultant and coordinator of the reconstruction of the home office building in Atlanta and as board liaison in the renovation of the Herndon mansion. Collins died in 1994. The files of Helen Collins document in large part the operations of the company's personnel department during the 1970s. Contained in these files are employment applications, payroll and attendance reports, letters of resignation, and leave requests. These files give insight into the company employment policies and relations. In addition, minutes from the Employee Welfare Committee, letters from several company officers, and correspondence regarding the construction of the new building are included in the Collins subseries.