Alzofon (Marian) papers, 1947-1982,

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Summary

Title:
Marian Alzofon papers,
Dates:
1947-1982,
Creators:
Alzofon, Marian, 1912-1982
Abstract:
Contains documents of Marian Alzofon who successfully lobbied with other mothers in the 1940s for the continuation of the San Francisco Farmers' Market which was challenged by the Retail Grocers Association.
Containers:
Box: 35
Extent:
1 folder (8 items)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Marian Alzofon Papers, (SFH 747), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Background

Scope and content:

Letter (photocopy) in support of SF Farmers' Market from Marian Alzofon to Constance Webb; high school certificate and diploma; naturalization certificate; family photos at Valencia Gardens; and notes for Alzofon's memorial service.

Biographical / historical:

Marian Hannah Ornsten (Ornstein?) Alzofon was born Jan. 19, 1912 in Romania to Jewish parents. After her father's passing, she immigrated to the United States with her mother and sister, likely in the 1920s. Marian became an American citizen in 1943. She met and married Healy Isadore Alzofon in Los Angeles where they had a daughter, Sammy Rebecca Alzofon. The family moved to San Francisco where daughter, Deena Jill Alzofon was born. They lived in Valencia Gardens in the 1940s. Healy Alzofon worked as an instrument repair technician for Pan American Airways on Treasure Island during WWII. Upon his passing, Marian and the girls moved to Berkeley where she worked as a teacher.

Sammy described her mother as a "revolutionary all of her life." Among other things, Marian organized the San Francisco mothers' milk strike, forcing reduced milk prices; and advocated for the San Francisco Farmers' Market. She also assisted in the formation of the first food co-operative in Berkeley, supported and assisted in UC Berkeley student demonstrations, and fought for equal opportunity for union women in the organized labor movement.

Acquisition information:
Donated by Sammy R. Alzofon in February of 2024. Letter from Marian Alzofon to Connie given by Constance Webb to Sammy Alzofon in 1994.
Processing information:

Processed by Tami J. Suzuki in 2024.

Physical location:
The collection is stored on site.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Guide prepared by Tami J. Suzuki.
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2024-03-21 18:40:06 +0000 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Marian Alzofon Papers, (SFH 747), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Location of this collection:
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102, US
Contact:
(415) 557-4567
sfhistory@sfpl.org
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