The Cecile Cooper papers measure 3 linear inches and date from 1964 to 1998. The collection consists primarily of newspaper clippings, along with a small amount of correspondence and a few, mostly unidentified photographs.

Newspaper clippings (1964-1998) make up the bulk of the collection, following the career of Cooper's nephew Simon Estes, a bass-baritone who starred at the New York Metropolitan Opera. The grandson of a former slave, Estes was a Centervile, Iowa native who studied at the University of Iowa and The Juilliard School in New York. Clippings relate to performances by Estes, his Iowa roots, and racial discrimination in the opera world. Estes notes the difficulties many white audiences had with the idea of an African-American male playing opposite a white woman. Also included are articles relating to volunteer organizations in which Cooper was active and articles celebrating Cooper's volunteer activities. One clipping from 1964 describes the activities of an Iowa civil rights worker in Mississippi for whom Cooper organized local support.

Correspondence (1966-1979) is primarily congratulatory in nature. Some letters contain descriptions of volunteer projects with which Cooper was involved. There are two letters from United States Representative Fred Schwengel. With the correspondence are two pages outlining the historical development of the Quad Cities Council on Human Rights.