Billie Beasley Jenkins is a pioneer for professional working women and African Americans in the entertainment industry. She has been involved in many aspects of film and television including acquisitions, business affairs, human resources and casting to executive in charge of production for movies made for television, pilots, series and theatrical films. The collection consists of material related to Jenkins involvement with Women In Film and her public service activities with organizations and institutions such as The American Film Institute Gary Hendler Minority Filmmaker Program, the City of Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission and the Boy Scouts of America Women of Excellence committee, among others.

Billie Beasley Jenkins was born on June 27, 1943 in Topeka, Kansas. In 1948, her family relocated to Los Angeles, California. She attended Louis Pasteur Junior High School, graduated from Dorsey High and attended Santa Monica College. On a dare in 1976, Jenkins applied for and was hired as a receptionist in the personnel department of Columbia Pictures. Within a month, Jenkins went to work for Jackie Cooper at Screen Gems, the television arm of Columbia. Leonard Goldberg replaced Cooper in 1969 and Jenkins stayed on as his assistant. During her time at Screen Gems, Jenkins was involved in a number of popular television shows such as The Monkees, Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie, The Partridge Family, Bridget Loves Bernie, and Brian's Song.

6.5 linear ft. (14 boxes)

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