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Title: Alice Martin Papers
Date (inclusive): 1937-2004
Date (bulk): (bulk 1943-1993)
Collection number: MS 122
Creator:
Martin, Alice, circa 1907-2004
Extent:
8 boxes
Languages:
English
English
Repository:
Special Collections, Robert E. Kennedy Library
California Polytechnic State University
San Luis Obispo, California 93407
Abstract:
The personal papers of Alice Martin, a civic-minded African-American woman known for her charitable nature and community service,
consists primarily of correspondence, employment and war records, photographs, and realia. Donated by the estate of Alice
Martin in 2004.
Martin dedicated her time to her church, affordable housing consortiums, and community services for the economically disadvantaged
and elderly in the county of San Luis Obispo. She was among the black family members who came to the area in the early 1940s
as their husbands or other relatives were stationed at Camp San Luis Obispo, a training base for the U. S. Army.
Donated by the estate of Alice Martin in 2004.
Collection is open to qualified researchers by appointment only. For more information on access policies and to obtain a copy
of the Researcher Registration form, please visit the Special Collections Access page.
Restrictions on Use and Reproduction
In order to reproduce, publish, broadcast, exhibit, and/or quote from this material, researchers must submit a written request
and obtain formal permission from Special Collections, Cal Poly, as the owner of the physical collection.
Photocopying of material is permitted at staff discretion and provided on a fee basis. Photocopies are not to be used for
any purpose other than for private study, scholarship, or research. Special Collections staff reserves the right to limit
photocopying and deny access or reproduction in cases when, in the opinion of staff, the original materials would be harmed.
Alice Martin Papers, Special Collections, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Calif.
Alice Mae Martin, an African American and native of Illinois, came to San Luis Obispo, California, in 1942 with her then husband
Clarence F. Martin while he was stationed at Camp San Luis Obispo. Following his deployment she moved back to her home base
in Montana. She returned to live in San Luis Obispo permanently in 1969.
Martin worked most of her adult life, well into her 70s. During her early working years, she served as a mechanical helper/aircraft
fitter and a laundry presser for the U. S. War Department at military camps in Montana and Arizona during World War II. When
her husband was transferred to California, she joined him, working at Camp Roberts in Monterey Co., then locally at Camp San
Luis Obispo, as a presser. Later on, she operated the steam presses at Paul’s Cleaners, a retail dry cleaners still in business
today on South Higuera St. Included in the collection is the original apron she wore as part of her work uniform there. She
also held jobs as a nanny and housekeeper.
Details of her birth are unconfirmed and among the records in the collection are her queries attempting to establish details
about her birthplace and year of birth (variously stated as 1907 and 1912).
She was known for her charitable nature and the donation of hours of community service to her church; affordable housing consortiums;
and services for the economically disadvantaged and elderly in the city of San Luis Obispo. She volunteered for many organizations
including Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), the Housing Authority, the Boy Scouts, Grace Church, the Red Cross, and
the Salvation Army.
A strong advocate of affordable housing, she served as a Commissioner for the Housing Authority for the City of San Luis Obispo
for many years. Martin received much recognition for her contributions, most notably on the eve of her 97th birthday when
the SLO County Community Foundation honored her for more than 10,000 hours of community service to the City of San Luis Obispo.
This honor exemplified her life of service to her church, neighbors, friends, and community.
Martin had only a sixth-grade education, but read extensively, and was an ardent poet. She died in San Luis Obispo, September
11, 2004, at 97 years of age.
Sources
"Alice Martin." [Obituary]
The Tribune, (San Luis Obispo, CA) 19 Sept. 2004: no page Personal reminiscences, Ruth Smith
Personal papers of Alice Martin, a civic-minded woman of color known for her charitable nature and donation of hours of community
service. Consists of her writings, war records, photographs and personal papers.
She dedicated her time to her church, affordable housing consortiums, and services for the economically disadvantaged and
elderly in the City of San Luis Obispo. She was among the many black families who came to the city of San Luis Obispo in the
early 1940s, whose husbands or relatives were training at Camp San Luis.
Where possible, the provenance, or original organization, of the papers has been preserved. However, in order to simplify
access to the collection for researchers, some materials in specific formats and topics were reorganized and refoldered to
more accurately reflect their contents.
The Alice Martin Papers are divided into 5 series:
1. Personal Papers, 1937-2004
2. Volunteer Activities, 1971-2004
3. Writings, 1951-1988
4. Photographs, undated
5. Artifacts, undated
The Alice Martin Papers are housed in 8 document boxes with Series 1 - 3 containing the most extensive and unique portions
of the collection, which include her World War II civilian service records, volunteer activities and her writings.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library’s online public access catalog.
African Americans -- California -- San Luis Obispo -- Social conditions.
Community life -- California -- San Luis Obispo -- History -- 20th century.
Political activists -- California – San Luis Obispo -- History -- 20th century.
Volunteer workers in social service -- San Luis Obispo -- California.
Martin, Alice Mae -- 1907-2004
Martin, Clarence Franklin--1922-
Correspondence
Photographs
Family papers
Realia
Typescripts
Military papers
Newspaper clippings
Poetry
Materials Cataloged Separately
Davidson, Orlando R., J. Carl Willems and Joseph A. Kahl.
The Deadeyes: The Story of the 96th Infantry Division. Washington D. C.: Infantry Journal Press, 1947.
[Inscribed by Clarence Martin to wife Alice Martin.]