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Justice, P. Marguerite Papers
SPC.2019.050
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Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
Title: Marguerite P. Justice Papers
Creator:
Justice, Marguerite P. (1921-2009)
Identifier/Call Number: SPC.2019.050
Physical Description:
6 boxes
Physical Description:
2.67 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): circa 1930s-1990s
Abstract: The Marguerite P. Justice Papers collection includes, correspondence, photographs, reports, pamphlets, speeches, and other
materials regarding the Los Angeles Police Depatment, Los Angeles Police Commission, and varying clubs and organization in
the city of Los Angeles.
Language of Material:
English
.
There are no access restrictions on this collection.
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives
and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical
materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
[title of item] Marguerite P. Justice Papers, Courtesy of the Gerth Archives and Special Collections. University Library.
California State University, Dominguez Hills
The Marguerite P. Justice Papers (1930s-1990s) includes information regarding the Los Angeles Police department, Los Angeles
Police Commission; correspondence and paperwork associated with the Westside Property Owners' Protective and Improvement Association;
over 300 photographs of family, Justice's city council race; images taken on the set of Adam-12, travel photographs, photos
of Mayor Sam Yorty, Linda Darnell, and others; letters addressed to Justice; copies of outgoing correspondence from Justice;
LAPD employee report, 1971; texts of speeches delivered at various community events; pamphlets from various California police
officer's wives organizations; materials gathered from civic organizations Justice was involved in; material belonging to
Justice's husband such as correspondence; and educational records.
Arranged in 5 series:
- Series I. Work, 1944-1988, undated
- Series II. Clubs and Organizations, 1938-1990s, undated
- Series III. City of Los Angeles, 1961-1991, undated
- Series IV. Correspondence, 1960s-1991, undated
- Series V. Photographs, undated
This collection includes 3 pamphlets entitled, "Race, Ethnicity and Religion in a Changing America: Observations for the 1980s"
by James B McKeer; "A New Look at Prejudice: Program Implications for Educational Organizations" by Helen Fooss; "Report to
the People: A Publication of the California State Legislature, 1969." It also includes the "Charter of the City of Los Angeles,"
compiled by Roger Arneburgh and Rex E. Layton.
Marguerite P. Justice (1921-2009), fondly referred to as "Mama J," was the first African American woman to serve as a Los
Angeles Police Commisioner. She was born Marguerite P. Lecense in New Orleans, Louisiana, and was the youngest of three children
to Albert and Louis Lecesne. In 1945, Justice moved to Los Angeles where she worked as a seamstress, and then became personal
assistant to actress Linda Darnell. Justice gave up her position with Darnell to marry William H. Justice whom she met through
church.
An active member of her community, Justice participated in multiple organizations such as the Westside Property Owners and
Improvement Association, the Los Angeles Southwest Commitee for Employment of Probations, the Exposition Community Coordinating
Council, as well as the Community Redevelopment Agency board where she worked alongside Los Angeles City Councilman, Billy
Mills. She was also an active member of the United Methodist church. Justice served in the Los Angeles Police Commission from
1971-1973 earning praise for her sensitivity to police oversight and minority communities. Justice ran for City Counicl in
1975, but was unable to obtain the position. She continued to participate in community activism and support the Los Angeles
Police Department. Justice received the Police Historical Society's Jack Webber Award in 2004.
Danielle A Trujillo, 2020-02-21
Subjects and Indexing Terms
African Americans -- History.
African Americans--California--Los Angeles.
Los Angeles (Calif.). Police Department.
Los Angeles (Calif.)
Justice, William H.
Los Angeles Police Department