Alice Martin Papers
Special Collections Department
Robert E. Kennedy Library
1 Grand Avenue
California Polytechnic State University
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-0605
Phone: (805) 756-2305
Fax: (805) 756-5770
URL: http://www.lib.calpoly.edu/specialcollections/
Email: archives@calpoly.edu
© 2008
Trustees of the California State University. All rights reserved.
Alice Martin Papers
Special Collections Department
Robert E. Kennedy Library
1 Grand Avenue
California Polytechnic State University
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407–0605
Contact Information
- Special Collections Department
- Robert E. Kennedy Library
- 1 Grand Avenue
- California Polytechnic State University
- San Luis Obispo, CA 93407–0605
- Phone: 805/756–2305
- Fax: 805/756–5770
- Email: archives@calpoly.edu
- URL: http://www.lib.calpoly.edu/specialcollections/
- Processed by:
- Denise Fourie and Catherine Trujillo
- Date Completed:
- 2008
- Encoded by:
- Byte Managers, 2008, Carina Love, 2008, Marisa Ramirez, 2009
© 2008 Trustees of the California State University. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
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
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.
Provenance
Donated by the estate of Alice Martin in 2004.
Restrictions on Access
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.
Preferred Citation
Alice Martin Papers, Special Collections, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Calif.
Biography
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
Scope and Content Note
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.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library’s online public access catalog.
Subjects
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-
Genre and Forms of Materials
Correspondence
Photographs
Family papers
Realia
Typescripts
Military papers
Newspaper clippings
Poetry
Related Material
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.]
1. Personal Papers
1937-2004
Scope and Content Note
Contains eleven subseries: A. Personal Records, B. Employment Records, C. Education Records, D. Church Materials, E. Address
Books, F. Pension and Retirement, G. General Correspondence, H. Recipes, I. Photographs, J. Clippings and K. Clarence F. Martin's
World War II records.
A. Personal Records
Scope and Content Note
Contains Alice Martin's birth, memorial, cemetery records and membership records. Arranged chronologically by date, from 1968-2004.
4 folders.
Box 1, Folder 2
Cemetery plot records,
1969-1984
Box 1, Folder 3
Identification cards and memberships,
1972-1987
B. Employment records
Scope and Content Note
Contains Alice Martin's World War II civilian employment and post war employment records. Arranged chronologically by date,
from 1943-1964. 2 folders.
Box 1, Folder 5
Alice Martin, World War II civilian employment records,
1943-1946
Box 1, Folder 6
Alice Martin, Labor and post-war employment records,
1959-1964
C. Education records
Scope and Content Note
Contains Alice Martin's correspondence for educational training. Arranged chronologically by date, 1955. 1 folder.
Box 1, Folder 7
Northwest Radio & Television,
1955
D. Church Materials
Scope and Content Note
Contains sermons, writings, and programs belonging to Alice Martin. Arranged chronologically by date, from 1966-1993. 2 folders.
Box 1, Folder 8
Sermons and writings,
1966-1993
E. Address Books
Scope and Content Note
Contains Alice Martin's personal address books, undated. 1 folder.
F. Pension and Retirement
Scope and Content Note
Contains Alice Martin's retirement and pension correspondence. Arranged chronologically, from 1951-1987. 2 folders.
Box 1, Folder 11
Correspondence, Civil Service Net,
1951-1979
Box 1, Folder 12
Correspondence, Pension,
1959-1987
G. General Correspondence
Scope and Content Note
Contains Alice Martin's personal correspondence and correspondence documenting her efforts to have her poetry published. Arranged
chronologically, from 1947-2004. 3 folders.
Box 1, Folder 13
Correspondence, Poetry Publication,
1962-1979
Box 1, Folder 14
Correspondence, Personal,
1947-2003
Box 1, Folder 15
Correspondence, Cards and letters,
1977-2004
H. Recipes
Scope and Content Note
Contains Alice Martin's personal and bound recipes, undated. 1 folder.
I. Photographs
Scope and Content Note
Contains photographs of Alice Martin, undated. 2 folders.
Box 2, Folder 1
Photographs, Alice Martin
Box 2, Folder 2
Alice Martin with friends
J. Clippings
Scope and Content Note
Contains clippings and articles from local newspapers about the history of African Americans on the Central Coast. Arranged
chronologically, from 1981-2004. 2 folders.
Box 2, Folder 3
Clippings about Alice Martin,
1985-2004
Box 2, Folder 4
Clippings and photocopies, local history,
1981-1983
K. Personal Files of Clarence Martin
Scope and Content Note
Contains Clarence Martin's employment and service records during World War II, as well as parole records. Arranged chronologically,
from 1937-1944. 2 folders.
Box 2, Folder 5
World War II Employment and Service records,
1941-1944
2. Volunteer Activities
1971-2004
Scope and Content Note
Contains nine subseries: A. Area Agency on Aging, B. Atascadero State Hospital, C. Economic Opportunity Commission (EOC),
D. Help Hospitalized Vets, E. Housing Authority of the City of San Luis Obispo, F. Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP),
G. Young Men's Christian Association, San Luis Obispo (YMCA), H. Consumer Advocacy, and I. Plaques and Awards.
A. Area Agency on Aging
Scope and Content Note
Contains printed awards and correspondence. Arranged chronologically, from 1997-1992. 1 folder.
Box 3, Folder 1
Area Agency on Aging, printed awards and correspondence,
1977-1992
B. Atascadero State Hospital
Scope and Content Note
Contains awards and newsletters, undated. 1 folder.
Box 3, Folder 2
Atascadero State Hospital, printed awards and newsletters
C. Economic Opportunity Commission (EOC)
Scope and Content Note
Contains printed awards, correspondence photographs, arranged chronologically, from 1990-1993. 2 folders.
Box 3, Folder 3
EOC, printed awards and correspondence,
1990-1993
D. Help Hospitalized Vets
Scope and Content Note
Contains printed awards. Arranged chronologically, from 2003-2004. 1 folder.
Box 3, Folder 5
Help Hospitalized Vets, printed awards,
2003-2004
E. Housing Authority of the City of San Luis Obispo
Scope and Content Note
Contains printed awards, newsletters and photographs. Arranged chronologically, from 1984-2003. 2 folders.
Box 3, Folder 6
Housing Authority, printed awards and newsletters,
1984-2003
Box 3, Folder 7
Housing Authority, photographs
undated
F. Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
Scope and Content Note
Contains printed awards and correspondence, undated. 1 folder.
Box 3, Folder 8
RSVP, printed awards and correspondence
undated
G. Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) and San Luis Obispo County Agencies
Scope and Content Note
Contains printed awards from the YMCA and other county agencies. Arranged chronologically, from 1974-2004. 2 folders.
Box 3, Folder 9
YMCA, printed awards,
1974-1976
Box 3, Folder 10
San Luis Obispo County printed awards,
1974-2004
H. Consumer Advocacy Correspondence
Scope and Content Note
Contains correspondence to and from California politicians and draft letters to the editor. Arranged chronologically, from
1971-1989. 3 folders.
Box 3, Folder 11
Correspondence, Alan Cranston,
1971
Box 3, Folder 12
Correspondence, Leon Panetta,
1980-1989
Box 3, Folder 13
Draft letters to the Editor,
undated
I. Plaques and Awards
Scope and Content Note
Contains awards and plaques. Arranged by format of material, from 1990-2003. 5 items.
Box 4, Folder 0
EOC, Volunteer of the Year,
1990
Box 4, Folder 0
RSVP, Isabel Lierman-Regina Rohde Award,
2000-2001
Box 4, Folder 0
Housing Authority of City of SLO, Outstanding Service Award,
2003
Box 4, Folder 0
Nominee for Intergenerational Effort of the Year,
1991
Box 4, Folder 0
SLO County Community Foundation, Salute to Volunteers,
undated
3. Writings
1951-1988
Scope and Content Note
Contains 3 subseries: A. Poetry, B. Speeches, and C. Notebooks.
A. Poetry
Scope and Content Note
Contains typescripts and handwritten poetry authored by Alice Martin. Arranged in original order, from 1951-1988. 8 folders.
Box 5, Folder 1
"Words of Comfort", by Alice Martin,
undated
B. Speeches
Scope and Content Note
Contains typescripts and handwritten speeches authored by Alice Martin. Arranged in original order, from 1974-1980. 11 folders.
Box 6, Folder 1
What the YMCA and RSVP Mean to Me,
undated
Box 6, Folder 2
A Volunteering Senior for the RSVP-Speaking Out!,
1974
Box 6, Folder 3
A Short Reading For Our Mission Society,
1980
Box 6, Folder 4
RSVP Duties and What it Means to Me,
undated
Box 6, Folder 7
The Beautiful Story of the Late Mahalia Jackson,
undated
Box 6, Folder 8
A Quote from our Negro Paper-The Omaha Star...,
undated
Box 6, Folder 9
In Memory of the Late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.,
undated
Box 6, Folder 10
Tribute to the Late Former Pres. Lyndon Baines Johnson,
undated
Box 6, Folder 11
Five Dark Days in the History of the Late Martin Luther King Jr.,
undated
C. Notebooks
Scope and Content Note
Contains notebooks and commonplace writing compiled and authored by Alice Martin. Arranged in original order, undated. 2 folders.
Box 6, Folder 12
"Final Outfittings" notebook,
undated
Box 6, Folder 13
Commonplace Writing,
undated
4. Photographs
undated
Scope and Content Note
Contains 1 subseries: A. Unidentified friends and acquaintances.
A. Unidentified friends and acquaintances
Scope and Content Note
Contains photographs. Unarranged, undated. 4 folders.
Box 7, Folder 1
Unidentified friends and acquaintances
Box 7, Folder 2
Unidentified friends and acquaintances
Box 7, Folder 3
Unidentified friends and acquaintances
Box 7, Folder 4
Unidentified friends and acquaintances
5. Artifacts
undated
Scope and Content Note
Contains 1 subseries: A. Coin purses and Apron.
A. Coin purses and apron
Scope and Content Note
Contains personal artifacts. Arranged by format of material, undated. 3 items.
