Marguerite P. Justice Papers SPC.2019.050
Danielle A Trujillo
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
2020-02-21
University Library South -5039 (Fifth Floor)
1000 E. Victoria St.
Carson, CA 90747
archives@csudh.edu
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
.
Conditions Governing Access
There are no access restrictions on this collection.
Conditions Governing Use
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.
Preferred Citation
[title of item] Marguerite P. Justice Papers, Courtesy of the Gerth Archives and Special Collections. University Library.
California State University, Dominguez Hills
Scope and Contents
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.
Arrangement
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
Separated Materials
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.
Biographical / Historical
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.
Processing Information
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
box 1
Series I: Work
1944-1988, undated
Physical Description: 1-9 folders
Physical Description: .42 linear feet
Scope and Contents
This series includes information regarding the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD); information pertaining to Justice as
a Los Angeles Police Commissioner; Los Angeles Metropolitan Area Council; Los Angeles Boys Club, William H. Parker Los Angeles
Police Foundation; Peace Officer's Wives Club; Police Wives Auxillary; Police Wives Association; Deputy Sheriffs' Wives Association;
The Glen Campbell Los Angeles Open Golf Tournament; and the Los Angeles Police Celebrity Golf Memorial.
box 1, folder 1
Newspapers, correspondence, and questionnaire with information regarding the structure and operation of the Los Angeles Police
Department
1944-1988, undated
Language of Material: English.
box 1, folder 2-3
News articles and drafts, programs, and correspondence with information regarding Marguerite P. Justice while acting Police
Commissioner
1963-1973, undated
box 1, folder 4
Incoming correspondence to Marguerite P. Justice from E.M. Davis, Chief of Police
1967-1978, undated
box 1, folder 5
Agendas, correspondence, Board of Directors meeting minutes with information on Los Angeles Metropolitan Area Council , Los
Angeles Boy Club, and William H. Parker Los Angeles Police Foundation
1972-1987, undated
box 1, folder 6
Pamphlets, annual reports, newsletters and patches with information regarding the Los Angeles Police Department
1972-1976, undated
box 1, folder 7
Brochures, bulletins and other materials regarding Peace Officer's Wives Club, Police Wives Auxiliary, Police Wives Association,
Deputy Sheriffs' Wives Association, and other organizations for Police Wives
1972-1979, undated
box 1, folder 8
Pamphlets and programs with information on The Glen Campbell Los Angeles Open Golf Tournament and Los Angeles Police-Celebrity
Gold Memorial
1973-1974, undated
box 1, folder 9
Photographs on cardboard with images of police officers and other individuals
undated
box 2
Series II: Clubs and Organizations
1938-1990, undated
Physical Description: 1-9 folders
Physical Description: .42 linear feet
Scope and Contents
This series includes information on the Westside Property Owners and Improvement Association; Lincoln Clubs of the Republican
Party of Los Angeles; Westside Republican Womens Council; Los Angeles Southwest Committee for Employment of Probations; Community
Redevelopment Agency; Human Relations Unit; Exposition Community Coordinating Council; United Methodist church; United Methodist
Night at Dodger Stadium; and Justice's run for City Council.
box 2, folder 1
Memorandum, drafts, correspondence, and bylaws regarding Westside Property Owners and Improvement Association
1938-1974, undated
box 2, folder 2
Flyers, newsletters, meeting minutes and other materials regarding Lincoln Clubs of the Republican Party of Los Angeles, and
West Side Republican Women's Club
1952-1990, undated
box 2, folder 3
Articles, meeting minutes, and brochures with information on the Los Angeles Southwest Committee for Employment of Probations
1961-1962, undated
box 2, folder 4
Correspondence from Harold R. Muntz and Augustus F. Hawkins, and others regarding the Los Angeles Southwest Committee for
Employment of Probations
1961-1963, undated
box 2, folder 5
Outlines and correspondence with information regarding Community Redevelopment Agency, Human Relations Unit and other community
programs
1963-1990, undated
box 2, folder 6
Correspondence, program agenda, meeting minutes, and newspaper clippings of the Exposition Community Coordinating Council
1964-1968, undated
box 2, folder 7
Committee reports and minutes, correspondence, sermons, bulletins and other materials with information on United Methodist
1966-1989, undated
box 2, folder 8
Press release, flyers, and other materials regarding Marguerite P. Justice running for City Council
1974-1976, undated
box 2, folder 9
Receipts, flyers, notes and other materials regarding United Methodist Night at Dodger Stadium
August 3, 1989 - September 27,1989
box 3
Series III: City of Los Angeles
1961-1991, undated
Physical Description: 6 folders
Physical Description: .42 linear feet
Scope and Contents
This series includes information regarding the Eighth District Advisory Council, Councilmen Billy G. Mills and Robert Farrell;
Mayor Sam Yorty, Justice's husband, William H. Justice's employment and education.
box 3, folder 1
City Hall reports, speeches, pamphlets, and correspondence regarding Councilmen Billy G. Mills, Robert Farrell and the Eighth
District Advisory Council
1965-1982, undated
box 3, folder 2
Speeches, biographical profiles, and obituaries
1963-1991, undated
box 3, folder 3
Correspondence, news article drafts with information on Mayor of Los Angeles, Sam Yorty, and an eight year report on progress
in Los Angeles entitled, "The Yorty Years"
1969-1971, undated
box 3, folder 4
Program for "General Daniel 'Chappie' James Jr." Memorial Dinner
April 29, 1978
box 3, folder 5-6
Resumes, correspondence, and memorandums with information regarding employment of William Harris Justice Jr., including information
related to Northrop Corporation and Compton Chamber of Commerce
1950-1990, undated
box 4
Series IV: Correspondence
1960-1991, undated
Physical Description: 1-9 folders
Physical Description: .42 Linear Feet
Scope and Contents
This series contains incoming and outgoing correspondence to and from Justice; executive planners from the years 1978 and
1980; and financial records.
box 4, folder 1-2
Incoming correspondence, invitations, thank you notes, payments and other materials
1960-1991, undated
box 4, folder 3
Outgoing correspondence
1969-1977
box 4, folder 5
Correspondence, message memos, and other materials located in Executive Planner 1978
1977-1978
box 4, folder 7
Correspondence and receipts found in 1980 Executive Planner
1979-1981, undated
box 4, folder 8
Financial records
January 1959 - December 1959
box 4, folder 9
Notes and other materials
1964-1984
box 5-6
Series V: Photographs
undated
Physical Description: 5-6 box
Physical Description: 2 linear feet
Scope and Contents
This series contains photographs of Justice's family, travels, work, and friends including Councilmen Billy Mills, Sam Yorty,
and Linda Darnell.
