Finding Aid for the Alice Greenfield McGrath Papers LSC.1490
Finding aid prepared by Caroline Cubé, 2009.
UCLA Library Special Collections
Online finding aid last updated 2023 December 11.
Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575
Business Number: 310-825-4988
Fax Number: 310-206-1864
AskLSC@library.ucla.edu
Contributing Institution:
UCLA Library Special Collections
Title: Alice Greenfield McGrath papers
Creator:
McGrath, Alice
Identifier/Call Number: LSC.1490
Physical Description:
6.5 linear feet
(13 boxes, 3 oversize boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1917-2009
Abstract: Alice McGrath (1917-2009) was a political activist who first became known for her work to overturn the improper convictions
of Mexican American youth in
Sleepy
Lagoon
Trial in which the defendants were tried as a group under inhumane conditions. McGrath also supported humanitarian efforts
and revolution in Nicaragua, pro bono work through the Mexican American Bar Association, and taught courses on self defense.
The collection consists of trial documents, correspondence, articles, awards, photographs, and other ephemera.
Physical Location: Stored off-site. All requests to access special collections material must be made in advance using the request button located
on this page.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
Open for research. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request button located
on this page.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights to the objects belong to UCLA Library Special Collections. All other rights, including copyright, are retained
by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue
the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
CONTAINS AUDIOVISUAL AND DIGITAL MATERIALS: This collection contains both processed and unprocessed audiovisual and digital
materials. Audiovisual and digital materials are not currently available for access, unless otherwise noted in a Physical
Characteristics and Technical Requirements note at the series and file levels. All requests to access processed audiovisual
materials must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.
Provenance/Source of Acquisition
Gift of Alice McGrath, 1986; additions to collections gifted by Alice McGrath in 1990, 1995, and 2003.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Alice Greenfield McGrath papers (Collection 1490). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E.
Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.
UCLA Catalog Record ID
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Biography
Alice Greenfield McGrath (April 5, 1917-November 27, 2009) was a political activist who first became known for her work to
overturn the improper convictions of Mexican American youth in
Sleepy
Lagoon
Trial in which the defendants were tried as a group under inhumane conditions. McGrath also supported humanitarian efforts
and revolution in Nicaragua, pro bono work through the Mexican American Bar Association, and taught courses on self defense.
Alice Greenfield McGrath was born in Calgary, Canada to a family of Russian Jewish immigrants. At the age of 5, McGrath and
her family moved to Los Angeles. McGrath's experience growing up as an immigrant heavily influenced her later involvement
in social activism. After graduating high school, McGrath worked several jobs including working in a candy factory and as
a sales representative for Grove Press.
At the age of 24, Alice McGrath began volunteering for the defense committee of the
Sleepy
Lagoon
Trial, now widely known for unjustly convicting an entire group of young Mexican-American youth with little evidence and
many human rights violations. Several months later, she was appointed executive secretary. Though she was not directly involved
in the legal work on the case, she worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the trial, coordinate efforts. Of particular
note is McGrath's effort to correspond with and visit the defendants in prison. In October 1944 the committee's work paid
off, and Judge Clement Nye overturned the convictions. The case then became a foundation for legal decisions nationwide concerning
defendants' rights.
Alice Greenfield McGrath's direct involvement in the case led playwright Luis Valdez to contact her and buy the rights to
her character. In l978, Zoot Suit, a play by Luis Valdez based on the
sleepy
lagoon
case and the servicemen riots premiered at the Mark Taper Forum with much acclaimed success. The play is a fictionalized
account of the trial. Alice McGrath becomes the central character. A film rendition of the play makes headlines in the l980s.
In 1952, she married Thomas McGrath, a poet and teacher. During this time, both came under surveillance by the FBI for their
political ideologies and community activism. This investigation led to Thomas McGrath being summoned to appear before the
Un-American Activities Committee.
Around 1957, Alice McGrath met Bruce Tegner, her son Daniel's self-defense instructor. Based on her son's experience, McGrath
enrolled in Tegner's courses, earned various titles, and began working with Tegner to write books on self-defense. She later
taught self-defense courses at various community centers and colleges around Southern California.
In addition to her career, McGrath continued to volunteer her time toward political and humanitarian efforts. She made numerous
trips to Nicaragua during and after the Sandinista National Liberation Front overthrow of the Somoza government. She led clergy,
physicians, lawyers, and teachers on tours through the country and helped raise money to buy medicine for Nicaraguan hospitals
and Hurricane Mitch victims, her humanitarian work also continued in the United States, where she became the coordinator of
the Pro Bono department of the Mexican American Bar Association.
Alice McGrath died on November 27, 2009 at the age of 92 from complications of a chronic illness.
Scope and Content
The collection consists of trial documentation, correspondence, publicity materials, photographs, articles, books, and ephemera.
The bulk of the material in the collection relates to the
Sleepy
Lagoon
trial and its development into a play and film. In addition, documentation and photographs from McGrath's support of the
Sandinista National Liberation Front and humanitarian work in Nicaragua constitute a large portion of the collection. The
collection also includes personal photographs, awards, correspondence, and documentation of a trip to China.
Organization and Arrangement
Related Oral Histories
The following oral histories are available through the UCLA Library Center for Oral History Research:
Related Material
Sleepy
Lagoon
Defense Committee Records (Collection 107)
. Available at the Library Special Collections, UCLA.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Nicaragua -- Social conditions -- 20th century.
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- Social conditions -- 20th century.
Mexican Americans -- Civil rights -- California -- Los Angeles.
Zoot Suit Riots, Los Angeles, Calif., 1943.
Women civil rights workers -- California -- Archives.
McGrath, Alice -- Archives
Sleepy
Lagoon
Defense Committee (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Valdez, Luis--
McWilliams, Carey
1.
Sleepy
Lagoon
Trial.
1943-2008
Scope and Contents note
Contains documents pertaining to the trial, correspondence between Alice McGrath and the defendants, newspaper clippings,
and ephemera and correspondence pertaining to the play and film adaptations of the events.
1.1
Sleepy
Lagoon
Defense Committee.
1943-2005
Scope and Contents note
This subseries focuses on all documents pertaining to the actual historical trial.
box 1, folder 1
Court documents -- police statements for the grand jury.
1943 August 13
box 1, folder 2
Court documents -- Copy of Appeal transcript and copies of chronology.
1943 June-1944 October 04
Scope and Contents note
Also includes a copy of "The
Sleepy
Lagoon
Case" prepared for the Defense of Mexican-American Youth.
box 1, folder 3
Ayres report.
1942 August 13
Scope and Contents note
Ed Duran Ayres Report laying out cultural arguments for Mexican youth's violent tendencies.
box 1, folder 4
Sleepy
Lagoon
Committee letterhead and defendants' list.
ca. 1943
Scope and Contents note
Also includes letterhead with Zoot-suiter drawing by Delgado(?), autographed list of defendants and inmate numbers, and a
copy of "The
Sleepy
Lagoon
Mystery" by Guy Endore.
box 1, folder 5
Correspondence between McGrath and the defendants while in prison.
1943 October 08-1944 June 26
box 1, folder 6
Appeal News vol. I and II.
1943 April 7-1944 March 04
Scope and Contents note
Copies of bulletin published by Defense Committee to keep defendants and public aware of the case's latest news.
box 1, folder 7
Greenfield (McGrath), Alice. "The Wearing of the 'drape' is no sign of delinquency." Daily News, 21 May 1945.
1945 May 21
box 1, folder 8
Greenfield (McGrath), Alice. "Mexicans called their home 'Maravilla'--at first." People's World, (?) 1945.
ca. 1945
box 1, folder 9
Greenfield (McGrath), Alice. "Why Lupe doesn't go to school…" People's World, (?) 1943.
ca. 1943
box 1, folder 10
Greenfield (McGrath), Alice. "The trial that was made a Pageant of Prejudices" and Greenfield (McGrath), Alice. "Hard Times
for the boys. . .".
Circe 1945
box 1, folder 11
Letters written on behalf of the defendants.
1944 June 15 1945 February 02
Scope and Contents note
Various letters from Mexican consulate Peralta, and from Penafiel, editor of comite' contra el racismo and a single letter
from Roberson and another single letter from Daniel G. Marshall from the Catholic Interracial Council of Los Angeles.
box 1, folder 12
Photos of defendants.
ca. 1943-
Scope and Contents note
Photos taken primarily in San Quentin State Prison and Chino State Prison (including autographed photo by defendants)
box 1, folder 13
Photos of defendants' families.
ca. 1944
Scope and Contents note
Especially Leyvas's family.
box 1, folder 14
Victory telegrams.
1944 October 4
Scope and Contents note
Copies of telegrams notifying Henry Leyvas and Mrs. Anita of appeal's overturn decision.
box 1, folder 15
Correspondence -- Mark Day to McGrath.
1973 December 22-1977 October 18
Scope and Contents note
Letters written after the
Sleepy
Lagoon
Case and one response by McGrath in 1973.
box 1, folder 16
Endore, Guy. "
Sleepy
Lagoon
Mystery." Los Angeles, Unidos Books and Periodicals: 1978. (reprint).
1978 Oct
box 1, folder 17
Paul Fitzgerald. "George Sibley." Forum 6, no. 1 (July/August 1979):3-10, 30.
1979 July-August
Scope and Contents note
Interview with Shibley in response to the Zoot Suit Play by Valdez published by California Attorneys for Criminal Justice.
box 1, folder 18
Barajas, Frank P. "The Defense Committees of
Sleepy
Lagoon
: A Convergent Struggle against Fascism, 1942-1944." Aztlan: A Journal of Chicano Studies 31, no. 1: 33-62.
2006
box 1, folder 19
Manuscript by Ralph Armbruster-Sandoval -- the stories we tell.
2008 April 22
Scope and Contents note
Revised and later published as Armbruster-Sandoval, Ralph. "The Life of the Party: Alice McGrath, Multiracial Coalitions,
and the Struggle for Social Justice." Aztlan: A Journal of Chicano Studies 36, no. 1 (Spring 2011): 69-98.
box 1, folder 20
Alfredo Gonzalez's book outline.
c. 1980
Scope and Contents note
Preliminary title is : The Origins of Mexicano/Chicano Gangs: A Reconceptualization.
box 1, folder 21
Manuscript by Ralph Armbruster-Sandoval -- teaching the black/brown metropolis.
June 2004
Scope and Contents note
Teaching the Black/Brown Metropolis: Race, Class, and Resistance in the city- written by Ralph Armbruster-Sandoval. Manuscript
draft. It is unclear whether it was revised into a published paper.
box 2, folder 1
Collected newspaper articles.
1942 October 30-1944 July 07
Scope and Contents note
Articles are contemporary with trial and illustrate the widespread sensationalizing of Mexican youth crime.
box 2, folder 2
Photographs of defendants' release.
1944 October
box 2, folder 3
Los Angeles Times Obituaries of three
Sleepy
Lagoon
Defendants (Ysmael Parra, Manuel Reyes, Henry Ynostroza).
2001 May 21-2008 March 07
box 3, folder 1
Los Angeles Philharmonic benefit concert.
1943 July 02
Scope and Contents note
Jazz concert held to raise money for the defendants. Includes names of the original musicians who played.
box 3, folder 2
Photographs of McGrath and Levyas family post-
Sleepy
Lagoon
(35 years after the trial).
ca. 1978
box 3, folder 3
Ben Margolis.
ca. 1999
Scope and Contents note
Contains copies of programs paying tribute to Margolis, a copy of an interview transcript, a letter about Margolis, and a
photograph.
box 3, folder 4
Kevin Starr -- article and correspondence.
2002 October 12-2002 October 28
Scope and Contents note
Includes copy of Starr's article and McGrath's letters to Kevin Starr's article errors, It also includes his replies
box 3, folder 5
Eduardo Pagan -- correspondence.
2003 April 08-2003 April 20
Scope and Contents note
Letters about Pagan's misrepresentations of the
Sleepy
Lagoon
Case
box 3, folder 6
Illinois Jacquet -- obituary.
2004 July 24
Scope and Contents note
One of the Jazz musician who participated in a concert benefit for the
Sleepy
Lagoon
Trial
box 3, folder 7
Sleepy
Lagoon
symposium at UCLA.
2005 May 20-21
Scope and Contents note
Announcement card for The
Sleepy
Lagoon
Case: Constitutional Rights and the Struggle for Democracy held May 20-21, 2005.
1.2 Zoot-Suit Media Adaptations.
1978-2008
Scope and Contents note
This subseries focuses on the play, film, and documentary adaptation of the
Sleepy
Lagoon
Trial and McGrath's collaboration mainly with Valdez.
box 3, folder 8
Correspondence -- adaptations of the
Sleepy
Lagoon
trial.
1978 February-September
Scope and Contents note
Includes Valdez's original letter to McGrath about his idea for a play
box 3, folder 9
Correspondence -- rights within adaptations.
1978 April 14-1980 December 23
Scope and Contents note
Correspondence about rights to use McGrath as character in play, film and documentary, including legal contracts
box 3, folder 10
Zoot Suit play -- first typescript draft.
1977 November 28
box 3, folder 11
Zoot Suit play -- second typescript draft.
1978 February 28
box 3, folder 12
Zoot Suit play -- final typescript draft.
1978 April 30
box 3, folder 13
Mark Taper's Zoot Suit play press release, cast contact list, and Aquarius theater information list.
1978 April
box 3, folder 14
Revised final.
1978 July 11
box 4, folder 1
Zoot Suit film adaptation -- first typescript draft.
1980 June 9
box 4, folder 2
Zoot Suit film adaptation -- third typescript draft.
1980 October 20
box 4, folder 3
Zoot Suit Play at the Mark Taper review.
1978 April 24
box 4, folder 4
Mark Taper Zoot Suit programs production programs.
1978 April-September
box 4, folder 5
Mark Taper souvenir program, Ephemera of Zoot-Suit play.
ca. 1978
box 4, folder 6
Mark Taper souvenir buttons (2).
ca. 1978
box 4, folder 7
Newspaper clippings about the play.
1978 April 16-1978 September 4
box 4, folder 8
Aquarius Theater production Copies of play program.
ca. 1978
box 4, folder 9
Newspaper reviews of play at the Aquarius Theater.
1978 Sept 27-1979 June 27
box 4, folder 10
Winter Garden Theater production copies of play program.
1979 March
box 4, folder 11
Winter Garden Theater production souvenirs, few souvenir buttons.
1979
box 5, folder 1
Newspaper reviews of Zoot Suit play.
1978 April-1979 June
Scope and Contents note
Mainly in Broadway, NY.
box 5, folder 2
Zoot Suit play rehearsal photographs.
1978
Scope and Contents note
Snapshots of rehearsal including Gordon Davidson, Luis Valdez, Danny Lopez (actually Daniel Valdez?) and Edward James Olmos
as well as Chepe
box 5, folder 3
Zoot Suit play adaptation programs.
1999-2008 April
box 5, folder 4
Photographs Alice McGrath and original play cast with Tyne Daly and Carey McWilliams.
1978-1992
box 5, folder 5
Photograph of Edward James Olmos as El Pachuco.
ca. 1979
box 5, folder 6
Pictures of opening night of film Zoot Suit.
ca. 1980
box 5, folder 7
Zoot Suit Motion Picture production.
1981
box 5, folder 8
Zoot Suit Universal Studios production Souvenir button.
1981
box 5, folder 9
Zoot Suit: The Play and the Promise.
1979
Scope and Contents note
Includes press release and letter.
box 5, folder 10
Zoot Suit: The Play and the Promise -- photographs and slides (taken of television screen).
1978
box 5, folder 11
The
Sleepy
Lagoon
Murders -- miniseries announcement.
1978
Scope and Contents note
Article and announcement about the miniseries under development. The New Ingot Company (Larry Schiller) was producing the
series with Abby Mann. The series appears to have never developed.
box 5, folder 12
The
Sleepy
Lagoon
Murders -- correspondence.
1978
Scope and Contents note
Mainly between Alice McGrath and the new Ingot Co., Joan Scott.
box 5, folder 13
Zoot Suit and related lectures by Alice McGrath -- correspondence.
1981
box 5, folder 14
Zoot Suit and related lectures by Alice McGrath -- ephemera.
1981-1982
box 5, folder 15
From
Sleepy
Lagoon
to Zoot Suit: The Irreverent Path of Alice McGrath -- reviews, correspondence and ephemera.
1997
Scope and Contents note
Produced by Bob Giges.
box 5, folder 16
Zoot Suit Symposium at the Disney Center.
2004 September 17-30
box 5, folder 17
Latino Film Festival Program that featured Zoot Suit film.
1998 October 28-November 1
box 5, folder 18
Correspondence from Manuel Delgado.
ca. 1970
box 6, folder 1
Newsletter from AM to those involved in
Sleepy
Lagoon
defense.
1978
box 6, folder 2
Zoot Suite play -- reviews and ephemera.
1977-1997
box 6, folder 3
Newspaper articles -- Zoot Suit and Alice McGrath.
1978
box 6, folder 4
Newspaper articles --
Sleepy
Lagoon
case and play.
1957 April 30-2001 January 31
box 6, folder 5
Articles -- press information about Alice McGrath.
1981
box 6, folder 6
Zoot Suit play -- first night programs.
1978 August
box 6, folder 7
Sanchez, Paul "Zoot Suit" is heritage on stage.
1978 December 17
box 6, folder 8
La Pantera Rosa reception invention.
1979
Scope and Contents note
In honor of Zoot Suit play.
box 6, folder 9
Zoot Suit play -- photographs at third opening at Aquarius.
1996
Scope and Contents note
Alice McGrath holding original program with Luis Valdez, Alice McGrath receiving kiss.
box 6, folder 10
Zoot Suit play -- advance critical reviews.
1979 April 21
box 6, folder 11
New York production reviews (photocopies).
1979 April
box 6, folder 12
Zoot Suit play -- ticket stubs.
1979 March 25
Scope and Contents note
Opening night March 25, Alan Alda Note March 27, tickets Aquarius March, ticket stub Winter Garden opening night
box 6, folder 13
Invitation to reception Mayor Tom Bradley, Assemblymen Richard Alatorre and Art Torres in honor the cast and crew of Zoot
Suit.
1978
box 6, folder 14
El Grito, March/April 1979.
1979
Scope and Contents note
Issue of El Grito includes the article, "Zoot Suite: La Historia Chicana en el Senario."
box 6, folder 15
Zoot Suit Winter Garden Theatre souvenir program.
ca. 1979
box 6, folder 16
Articles -- Zoot Suit play and Alice McGrath.
1978 March-1982 December
box 6, folder 17
Zoot Suit Motion Picture -- articles about possible production.
1980
box 6, folder 18
Zoot Suit Motion Picture -- newspaper articles.
1979-1990 May
2. Personal papers.
1943-2006
Scope and Contents note
Contains items of personal interest to Alice McGrath including correspondence, clippings regarding personal friends or family,
and ephemera from McGrath's personal life.
2.1 Correspondence.
1943-2005
Scope and Contents note
Contains correspondence between McGrath, colleagues, and family. Also includes clippings and ephemera related to the people
with whom she had correspondence.
box 6, folder 20
McWilliams, Carey.
1970
Scope and Contents note
Includes photographs of Alice McGrath
box 6, folder 23
Libraries and publishing companies -- about Carey McWilliams's book,
North from Mexico.
1970
box 6, folder 24
From Alice McGrath -- about Carey McWilliams.
1970
box 6, folder 25
Symposium with Carey McWilliams.
1979 November 7
Scope and Contents note
Held at Ventura College with Carey McWilliams and Alice McGrath and moderated by Rene Rodriguez.
box 6, folder 26
Photographs -- Mayor Tom Bradley commendation ceremony to honor McWilliams.
1979
Scope and Contents note
Photographs include Alice McGrath, Carey McWilliams, Luiz Valdez and Tom Bradley
box 7, folder 1
Photographs -- Alice McGrath speaking at Carey McWilliams's class at UCLA.
1978
box 7, folder 2
Clippings -- Carey McWilliams.
1979
Scope and Contents note
Includes articles about McWilliams as well as those he authored.
box 7, folder 3
Photographs -- Carey McWilliams' memorial service at UCLA.
1980
box 7, folder 4
Reviews --
American Prophet: The Life and Work of Carey McWilliams by Peter Richardson.
2005
box 7, folder 5
Carey Williams: the Great Exception. Los Angeles: KFPK.
1979
box 7, folder 6
Articles -- about Carey McWilliams.
1984
Scope and Contents note
Includes an entry Alice McGrath wrote on Carey McWilliams for the
Encyclopedia Americana as other articles she wrote about him.
box 7, folder 7
Ephemera -- Carey McWilliams (posthumous).
1980
Scope and Contents note
Folder consists predominantly of memorials and obituaries.
box 7, folder 8
Southern California Library for Social Studies and Research.
1947
Scope and Contents note
Includes programs and invitation to the 1993 awards dinner at the library.
box 7, folder 9
Correspondence -- W.E.B. and Shirley DuBois.
1956
box 7, folder 10
Invitations -- dinner to honor W.E.B. DuBois.
1953
box 7, folder 11
Photographs -- W.E.B DuBois.
1956
Scope and Contents note
One photograph is inscribed to Alice McGrath by W.E.B. DuBois.
box 7, folder 12
Thank you note -- from Stud Terkel.
ca. 1984
box 7, folder 13
Photographs -- E. P. Thompson and Alice McGrath.
1991 May
Scope and Contents note
Photograph was taken at E.P. Thompson's country home in England.
box 7, folder 14
Correspondence -- various (folder 1 of 2).
1958-2002
box 7, folder 15
Correspondence -- various (folder 1 of 2).
1958-2002
box 7, folder 16
Programs from the Apollo Theater and Gallery Theater.
ca. 1989-2002
box 7, folder 17
Correspondence -- various.
1984
Scope and Contents note
Predominantly notes or forms. One refers to package AM sent her son while he was in prison.
box 7, folder 18
Correspondence -- Dan Schechter.
1990
box 7, folder 19
Correspondence -- Dan Schechter.
1991
box 8, folder 1
Correspondence -- Dan Schechter.
1992
box 8, folder 2
Correspondence -- Dan Schechter.
1993
box 8, folder 3
Photographs -- Dan Schechter while protesting.
ca. 1990
box 8, folder 4
Poems by and from Dan Schechter.
1991
box 8, folder 5
Clippings -- Dan Schechter's protests and arrest.
1991 June 7
box 8, folder 6
Dan Schechter's statements about protests and arrests.
1990-1991
box 8, folder 7
Dan Schechter's prison newsletters.
1991
box 8, folder 8
Dan Schechter open letter.
1989
box 8, folder 9
Dan Schechter's writings on various causes, government action, and civil disobedience.
1989
box 8, folder 10
The Perpetual Bourgeois.
1955
Scope and Contents note
Draft of poem by Alice McGrath published in
Coastlines's first issue in Spring 1955.
box 8, folder 11
Social and Business Hints for the Man on the Way Down.
after 1961
Scope and Contents note
Unpublished manuscript draft written by Alice McGrath, illustrations by Chris Jenkyns.
box 8, folder 12
College papers written by Alice McGrath.
1965
box 8, folder 13
Publishing correspondence.
1984-1986
box 8, folder 14
Clippings about Alice McGrath's class at Ventura College.
1984
box 8, folder 15
Alice McGrath's music log.
1970
box 8, folder 16
McGrath's newspaper opinion pieces.
1976-2001
2.3 Miscellaneous.
1958-2006
box 8, folder 17
Alice McGrath's Wedding Vows.
1977
box 8, folder 18
Alice McGrath's personal biographies.
2004
Scope and Contents note
Materials gathered for Stanford University's Chicano/Latino theme dorm, Casa Zapata for their annual Zoot Suit Week on February
22, 2004.
box 8, folder 19
Alice McGrath's personal notes, telephone numbers, names.
ca. 1970-2006
box 8, folder 20
Grove Press book publisher letters and exhibit photos.
1959
box 8, folder 21
Personal legal documents, including CA I.D. cards.
1958 October 7-2003 April 5
box 8, folder 22
List of items to be gifted to UCLA Special Collections for the Alice McGrath Collection.
2009
3. Photographs.
1941-2009
Scope and Contents note
Photographs in this series predominantly picture family and friends as well as portraits of Alice McGrath.
box 8, folder 23
Family photographs.
1947 October-2007 January
Scope and Contents note
Mainly of Daniel Schechter.
box 9, folder 1
Family photographs.
bulk February 2008
Scope and Contents note
Mainly of Alice McGrath, Daniel Schechter (McGrath's son), and Laura D'Auri (McGrath's daughter).
box 9, folder 2
Portraits of Alice McGrath.
ca. 1938-2002
Scope and Contents note
Also includes a digital contact sheet with approximate ages of Alice in various photographs.
box 9, folder 3
Various family photographs.
1941 March-2005 December
Scope and Contents note
Includes photographs of Alice McGrath and her children, Thomas McGrath and other family.
box 9, folder 4
Photographs of Alice McGrath and friends.
1942-2009
box 9, folder 5
Alice McGrath and family.
1950s
Scope and Contents note
Includes photographs of Alice McGrath, Thomas McGrath, Laura D'Auri, and Daniel Schechter.
box 9, folder 6
Alice McGrath and family.
1839-1979
Scope and Contents note
Includes photographs of Alice McGrath, her two sisters and her parents.
box 9, folder 7
Photographs of friends.
ca. 1940s-1980s
Scope and Contents note
Includes photographs of Cisco Houston, McGrath's sister Claire, Hasker Wexler, Luisa Moreno, Carlos Bulosan, Ben Maddow, and
others unidentified.
box 9, folder 8
Soviet Union (Russia) photographs.
1978 February
4. Publications and lectures.
1944-1993
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
CONTAINS AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: Audiovisual materials are available for access. All requests to access materials must be made
in advance using the request button located on this page.
Scope and Contents note
Consists of articles and books that were given to Alice McGrath. Many of the items have an inscription or signature addressed
to McGrath by the author.
box 9, folder 9
Various articles with inscriptions or signatures.
1964
Scope and Contents note
Includes "Selecting a School Counselor" by Laurence Peter, "A Mathematician's Faith" by Dirk Struik, and "It's Your Money"
by C. Northcote Parkinson.
box 9, folder 10
The Contemporary Man, drawings by Chris Jenkyns with Words by Alice McGrath, unpublished.
1965
box 9, folder 11
Notes from Underground II with an inscription to Bruce and Alice.
1966
box 10, folder 1
Fuck You: a magazine of the arts 7, no. 5 (Sept 1964).
1964
box 10, folder 2
Maddow, Ben.
The Savage Eye: A Film on Hogarth in Los Angeles [transcript].
1952 January 2
box 10, folder 3
Maddow, Ben.
The Savage Eye: A Film on Hogarth in Los Angeles [onion skin draft].
ca. 1952
box 10, folder 4
Grove Press letters and sales reports.
ca. 1960
box 10, folder 5
The Essentials in a Struggle- A chapter from W.E.B. DuBois
The Suppression of the African Slave Trade to the United States of America 1638-1870.
undated
Scope and Contents note
photocopy
box 10, folder 6
The Literary Worker's Polonius from
A Literary Chronicle by Wilson, Edmund.
undated
Scope and Contents note
photocopy from 1935 work.
box 10, folder 7
Balter, Michael. Peace, Love, and Fort Ord. Buzz (August 1993): 68-71.
1993
box 10, folder 8
Varat, Harvey.
Self-Renewal and the Police Establishment [manuscript].
1972 May 18
box 10, folder 9
Hyman,
Irwin. Corporal Punishment in the Schools: Americas Officially Sanctioned Brand of Child Abuse. [copy].
1977 April 18
box 10, folder 10
Phillips, Ralph S.
Dissipative Operators and Hyperbolic Systems of Partial Differential Equations [reprint]. Transactions of the American Mathematical Society 90, no.2 (February 1959): 193-254.
1959 February
Scope and Contents note
Inscription to Alice McGrath by author.
box 10, folder 11
Ming, Kwa Tak.
The Fundamental operations in Bead Arithmetic: How to Use the Chinese Abacus. Service Supply Company: San Francisco.
undated
box 10, folder 12
Grove Press photographs of Alice McGrath and sales displays.
ca. 1960
box 10, folder 13
The Alpine Weekly Newsletter [photocopy].
1944 March 30
box 10, folder 14
Pinter, Harold.
Moonlight. Boston: Faber and Faber.
1993
Scope and Contents note
Inscription to Alice McGrath from the author.
box 10, folder 15
North Dakota Quarterly 50, no. 4 (Fall).
1982
Scope and Contents note
Issue includes articles by Thomas McGrath: "Statement to the House Committee on Un-American Activities," "Crazy Horse Manifesto,"
"McGrath on McGrath," and "The Frontiers of Language." Issue also includes an article by Alice McGrath, "Longshot O'Leary
Says It's Your Duty to Be Full of Fury."
box 10, folder 16
McGrath, Thomas.
Longshot O'Leary's Garland of Practical Poesie. New York: International Publishers.
1949
box 10, folder 17
Turkel, Studs.
Coming of Age: The Story of Our Century by Those Who've Lived It. New York: The New Press, 1995.
1995
Scope and Contents note
Hardback cover with dust jacket. Inscribed to McGrath from Terkel.
box 10, folder 18
Recordings of Alice McGrath and Luis Valdez.
circa 2001-2009
Scope and Contents note
Includes 3 DVDs and a letter addressed to Laura D'Auri from Frank Sotomayor. Letter describes the recording on each of the
three discs. Recordings include an interview of McGrath by Frank Sotomayor, McGrath lecturing on the
Sleepy
Lagoon
case, a question and answer session with McGrath, and an interview of Luis Valdez about the Zoot Suit play and McGrath. The
recordings appear to be transfers from VHS tapes, and the sound and image quality is often poor.
box 10, case 2
Alice McGrath interviewd by Frank Sotomayor at her home in Ventura yrlsc_1490_010_018_002
undated
Creator: Sotomayor, Frank
Physical Description: 1 video recordings(1 DVD; 0:31:22)
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
CONTAINS AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: Audiovisual materials are available for access. All requests to access digital materials must
be made in advance using the request button located on this page.
Scope and Contents
Content note: Accompanying letter gives explanation of video content.
box 10, case 3
Alice McGrath lecture and Q and A at UC Santa Cruz yrlsc_1490_010_018_003
undated
Physical Description: 1 video recordings(1 DVD; 01:47:17)
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
CONTAINS AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: Audiovisual materials are available for access. All requests to access digital materials must
be made in advance using the request button located on this page.
Scope and Contents
Content note: Accompanying letter gives explanation of video content.
box 10, case 4
Luis Valdez on Zoot Suit and Alice yrlsc_1490_010_018_004
undated
Physical Description: 1 video recordings(1 DVD; 1:13:50)
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
CONTAINS AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: Audiovisual materials are available for access. All requests to access digital materials must
be made in advance using the request button located on this page.
Scope and Contents
Content note: Accompanying letter gives explanation of video content.
box 11, folder 1
Alice McGrath interviewed by Luis Valdez at the El Teatro Campesino
2007-2010.
Scope and Contents note
Includes DVD of interview and a discussion between Alice McGrath and Alika Spencer, the woman who plays McGrath's character
in the Zoot Suit play. DVD is in plastic jewel case with a facsimile of a letter Valdez sent to McGrath in 1978. Folder also
includes letter from Valdez to Laura D'Auri in 2010 and photograph of Luis, Alice, and others, circa 2007.
box 11, case 1
Alice McGrath interviewed by Luis Valdez at the El Teatro Campesino yrlsc_1490_011_001_001
2007-2010
Physical Description: 1 video recordings(1 DVD; 0:38:45)
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
CONTAINS AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: Audiovisual materials are available for access. All requests to access digital materials must
be made in advance using the request button located on this page.
Scope and Contents
Content note: DVD is in plastic jewel case with a facsimile of a letter Valdez sent to McGrath in 1978.
5. China trip.
1979
Scope and Contents note
Consists of ephemera, travel diary, and photographs of her trip to China.
box 11, folder 2
Photograph.
1979 June
Scope and Contents note
Taken in conjunction with Alice McGrath's English lecture on "Zoot Suit."
box 11, folder 3
Alice McGrath's China trip diary.
1979 May 21
box 11, folder 4
A Tourist Guide to Chungking and map.
1979 May
box 11, folder 5
Photographs of Alice McGrath and others in China.
1979 May
box 11, folder 6
Postcards, Stamps, and Letters during Alice McGrath's China trip.
1979 May
box 11, folder 7
Information about China.
1979 May 3
box 11, folder 8
McGrath's notebooks containing notes on China Trip.
1979 May-June
6. Solidarity work in Nicaragua.
1979-2003
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
CONTAINS AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: This collection contains both processed and unprocessed audiovisual materials. Audiovisual
materials are not currently available for access, unless otherwise noted in a Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
note at the file level. All requests to access processed audiovisual materials must be made in advance using the request button
located on this page.
Scope and Contents note
This series relates to McGrath's work in support of the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FLSN) and McGrath's humanitarian
tours of the country. Consists of correspondence, ephemera, and photos.
box 11, folder 9
Nicaraguan Delegation lists.
1986 June
Scope and Contents note
Includes letter and programs of events.
box 11, folder 10
Center for Training in Computer Science and Systems (CAIS) -- microcomputer training project.
1987
Scope and Contents note
Also includes letters to McGrath about her donations.
box 11, folder 11
Correspondence and photographs.
ca. 1987-1998
box 11, folder 12
Sandinista Constitution.
1987 January 9
Scope and Contents note
Copy of constitutional reform provided by the Nicaraguan Embassy.
box 11, folder 13
La Seaman Comical Newspaper and other newspaper clippings.
1984 March 18- 1992 May 26
box 11, folder 14
Memoria Ejercito de Nicaragua 1995-1997. Managua: Direccion de Relaciones Publicas y Exteriores.
1998
box 11, folder 15
Instituto Nicaraguense de Seguridad Social y Bienestar. Martirio De Los Niños De Nicaragua Bajo La Agresion De La Administracion
Regan. Managua: Instituto Nicaraguense de Seguridad Social y Bienestar.
1985
Scope and Contents note
Also includes The Subversive Agent (For A Poetry of Revolutionary Activism).
box 11, folder 16
Torres, Sylvia. Una 'chela' con algo extra. Barrada supplement, Managua.
1994 September
Scope and Contents note
Note written by Alice McGrath and stuck to article indicates the article is "loaded with inaccuracies."
box 11, folder 17
Photographs.
1992-1994
Scope and Contents note
Photographs picture Alice McGrath delivering supplies to a Nicaraguan children's hospital, Sergio Ramirez (Vice President
from 1984-1990), Mary Addes, Xabier Gorostiaga and LASA.
box 12, folder 1
Photographs -- Alice McGrath with campesinos and companeros.
1987-1997
Scope and Contents note
Many of the photographs included are laminated.
box 12, folder 2
Photographs -- tours.
ca. 1980
box 12, folder 3
Photographs -- American farmers with Alice McGrath (in Nicaragua).
1990 February
box 12, folder 4
Photographs -- murals in Managua Church that was to be painted over.
ca. 1980s
box 12, folder 5
Photographs -- Alice McGrath in children's hospitals and schools.
1989 June
box 12, folder 6
Photographs -- people voting and FSLN supporters.
1990
box 12, folder 7
Photographs -- Alice McGrath on her 25th trip to Nicaragua.
1989 June
box 12, folder 8
Photographs -- Cuban veterinarians and doctors delegation.
ca. 1980s
box 12, folder 9
Photographs -- American Citizens demonstrating.
1984-1986
box 12, folder 10
Photograph -- McGrath with Daniel Nunez.
ca. 1980
Scope and Contents note
Nuñez was president of UNAG (National Farmer's and Cattleman's Association of Nicaragua).
box 12, folder 11
Photograph -- clergy delegation and Soviet Circus.
ca.1986-1988
box 12, folder 12
Photograph -- Dr. Fernando Silva and army base.
1984-1990
box 12, folder 13
Photograph -- La Orden Decimo Aniversario for solidarity work.
1990 February 23
Scope and Contents note
Includes clippings and the medal McGrath received.
box 12, folder 14
Certificate from Frente Sandinista de la Liberacion Nacional to Alice McGrath.
1979 Jul 19
Scope and Contents note
Awarded to recognize McGrath's support of the Sandinistas.
box 12, folder 15
Photograph -- Alice McGrath with Daniel Ortega.
ca. 1980s
box 12, folder 16
Cards and Postcards from Nicaragua.
ca. 1988
box 12, folder 17
Nicaraguan currency and stamp.
ca. 1980
box 12, folder 18
Commemorative day planner.
1989 July 19-1990 December 31
Scope and Contents note
10th Anniversary Celebration Calendar (planner) of the triumph of the Nicaraguan Revolution from July 19, 1989 to December
30, 1990
box 12, folder 19
Election ephemera.
ca. 1984 November 4
Scope and Contents note
The Electoral Process in Nicaragua: Domestic and International Influences, Electoral Law pamphlet, sample ballot.
box 12, folder 20
Photographs and slides.
ca. 2001-2003
Scope and Contents note
Includes slides taken in Nicaragua, photos of AM with Lewites, Herty (Mayor of Managua) and other companeros, inscription
from author Gioconda Bellis.
box 15, folder 1
Frente Sandinista de la Liberacion Nacional scarf.
ca. 1980s
Scope and Contents note
This is the same scarf Alice McGrath is wearing in the photograph with Daniel Ortega
7. Awards and recognitions.
1981-2008
Scope and Contents note
Consists of general recognitions, awards, and thank you notes. The awards and letters predominantly relate to McGrath's political
activism.
box 12, folder 21
Thank you letters -- lectures and appearances.
1981 March 23-2007 June
Scope and Contents note
This folder contains various letters from institutions where Alice McGrath served on a panel or gave a lecture. Many of these
lectures were on the topic of the Sleep Lagoon trial.
box 12, folder 22
Sheldon, Glenn. Interview with Alice McGrath.
Pittsburgh Quarterly (Winter 1991/92).
1991
Scope and Contents note
Includes print out of article and letter to Alice McGrath from the author.
box 14, folder 1
El Concilio del Condado de Ventura Tenth Annual Latino Leadership Awards.
1999 January 3
box 14, folder 2
County of Ventura Leadership Award.
1999 January 3
box 14, folder 3
Cruz Reynoso Award.
1998
Scope and Contents note
This folder contains the program for the 38th annual banquet of the Mexican American Bar Association.
box 14, folder 4
The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.
2001 May
Scope and Contents note
Certificate recognizes Alice McGrath as a benefactor of the Rotary Foundation.
box 14, folder 5
Various Certificates of Recognition.
1996-1998
box 14, folder 6
Clippings -- Alice McGrath's awards and recognitions.
1998 October 29-2008 September 25
box 14, folder 7
University of California, Santa Cruz commencement program.
1997
Scope and Contents note
Alice McGrath gave the keynote speech at the commencement.
box 14, folder 8
Invitations.
ca. 1996
Scope and Contents note
Invitations are to a testimonial dinner honoring several attorneys, as well as to meet with Wallace, Henry
box 14, folder 9
Progressive LA Conference ephemera.
1998 Oct 3
Scope and Contents note
This folder includes clippings, a letter, and programming information for the conference.
box 14, folder 10
Ventura County Bar Association.
1996
Scope and Contents note
McGrath served as the association's Pro Bono Program manager.
box 14, folder 11
Black Journalists Association of Southern Californian newsletter.
1982 July
Scope and Contents note
Newsletter mentions McGrath's appearance at the July meeting of the association.
box 14, folder 12
University of Washington's Labor Studies Department -- appreciation for Alice McGrath's donations.
2002
box 14, folder 13
Center for Constitutional Rights newsletter.
2008
Scope and Contents note
Materials in this folder relate to McGrath's donations and fundraising efforts. Also includes photographs of Alice McGrath
with various members of the center.
box 14, folder 14
McGrath's 70th birthday celebration invitation.
1987
Scope and Contents note
Includes photographs with
Sleepy
Lagoon
trial defendants.
box 14, folder 15
McGrath's 85th birthday celebration -- programs.
2002
box 14, folder 16
McGrath's 85th birthday celebration -- clippings.
2002
box 14, folder 17
McGrath's 85th birthday celebration -- photographs.
2002
box 14, folder 18
McGrath's 90th birthday celebration -- ephemera.
2007
box 15, folder 2
Oversized awards, certificates, and posters given to McGrath.
1992-2002
box 16, folder 1
National Women's Political Caucus of Ventura County 2003 Women's History Calendar.
2003
box 16, folder 4
Ventura College Associate in Arts Diploma and Ventura College commencement program.
10 June 1983
Scope and Contents note
Alice McGrath served as student speaker.
box 2, folder 4
La Raza Faculty Association plaque
undated
8. Government investigation files.
1943-1980
Scope and Contents note
Both Alice McGrath and her son, Daniel Schechter, were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation at different times
in history. This series consists of documentation of the investigations by the F.B.I. and the Immigration and Naturalization
Services.
box 16, folder 2
Freedom of Information Act releases -- Alice McGrath.
1952 November 11-1968 November 1
Scope and Contents note
Official release interleaved with McGrath's personal notes.
box 16, folder 3
Freedom of Information Act releases -- Joseph B. Goldberg.
1980 April 28-November 2
box 16, folder 5
Correspondence between Joseph B. Goldberg, FBI Freedom of Information Branch, and Army Intelligence.
1979 November 17- 1980 February 2
box 16, folder 6
Freedom of Information Act releases -- Thomas McGrath.
1943 May 21-1957 January 2
box 16, folder 7
Max Schechter single sheet report about his business.
1963 May 3
9. Self-defense.
1961-1980
Scope and Contents note
Consists of the documentation of McGrath's career in teaching, writing about, and demonstrating self-defense techniques. Series
includes photographs, correspondence, and articles.
box 16, folder 8
Clippings about Alice McGrath's writings and courses on self-defense.
1962 April- 1980 August 19
Scope and Contents note
Newspaper articles and clippings (from the
LA Times and
Chicago Tribune) about McGrath's self-defense courses, "How to Become a Martial Arts Book Expert Without Hitting Anybody" by McGrath, "Self-Defense
for Cowards" by Alice McGrath, letters about course
box 16, folder 9
California Community College's certificate of special limited services credential.
1972 September 18
box 16, folder 10
Descriptions and brochures for defense classes.
1973-1975
box 16, folder 11
Correspondence and descriptions for defense classes (folder 1 of 2).
1967 August 30-1980 March 15
Scope and Contents note
Letters to McGrath about her self-defense course from schools, Journal of physical education and recreation, California Physical
Ed. Workshop booklet, Self Defense & Assault Prevention for Girls and Women seminar conducted by McGrath.
box 17, folder 1
Correspondence and descriptions for defense classes (folder 2 of 2).
1967 August 30-1980 March 15
Scope and Contents note
Letters to McGrath about her self-defense course from schools, Journal of physical education and recreation, California Physical
Ed. Workshop booklet, Self Defense & Assault Prevention for Girls and Women seminar conducted by McGrath.
box 17, folder 2
McGrath, Alice and Chris Jenkyns. Better Part of Valor. The Sunday Telegraph, page 5.
1962 June 24
box 17, folder 3
McGrath, Alice. How to Become a Martial Arts Book Expert without Hitting Anybody.
Top of the News 34, no. 4 (Summer 1978):331-338.
1978
box 17, folder 4
Tegner, Bruce and Alice McGrath.
The Survival Book. New York: Bantam Books, 1983.
1983
box 17, folder 5
Photographs -- examples of self-defense techniques.
ca. 1960
box 17, folder 6
McGrath, Alice.
Self-Defense for Cowards. Hollywood, CA: Thor Publications Co., 1961.
1961
Scope and Contents note
Drawings by Chris Jenkyns. One copy has an inscription by Stan Freberg and Chris Jenkyns.
box 17, folder 7
Tegner, Bruce and Alice McGrath.
Self-Defense and Assault Prevention for Girls and Women. Hollywood, CA: Thor Publications Co., 1986.
1986
10. Memorial ephemera.
2009
Scope and Contents note
Consists of letters, cards, sound and video recordings, and other materials received by Laura D'Auri or created for McGrath's
memorial ceremony.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
CONTAINS UNPROCESSED DIGITAL AND AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: Digital and audiovisual materials are not currently available for
access and will require further processing and assessment. If you have questions about this material please email spec-coll@library.ucla.edu.
box 15, folder 3
Obituaries.
2009 November
Scope and Contents note
Includes copies of the obituaries run in the Los Angeles Times, the Ventura Star, and the Los Angeles Daily Journal.
box 17, folder 8
List of invitees to McGrath's memorial ceremony.
2009
box 17, folder 9
Memorial announcements.
2009
box 17, folder 11
Condolence correspondence.
2009-2010
Scope and Contents note
Included in this folder are letters of condolence written to Laura D'Auri, McGrath's daughter. Letters included from Lee Ann
Meyer, John F. Terzano (The Justice Project), James Gregory (Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies), Fernando Gamboa, Gus
and Lamont Yeakey and others.
box 17, folder 12
Slide show shown at memorial.
2009
Scope and Contents note
Consists of 1 DVD and 2 CDs, all of which have some variation of a slide show featuring pictures of Alice McGrath at various
points in her life. The slide shows consist of 34 images, captions and music.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
CONTAINS UNPROCESSED AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: Audiovisual materials are not currently available for access and will require
further processing and assessment. If you have questions about this material please email spec-coll@library.ucla.edu.
box 17, folder 13
DVD recorded at memorial.
2009 December
Scope and Contents note
Folder includes 2 DVDs: a regular version and an HD version. Speakers include: Steve Stone, Arthur Gilbert, Steve Perrin,
Greg Totten, Kevi Brannelly, Tom Crossure, Holly Olsen (McGrath's niece), Josie Saldano, and others.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
CONTAINS UNPROCESSED AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: Audiovisual materials are not currently available for access and will require
further processing and assessment. If you have questions about this material please email spec-coll@library.ucla.edu.
box 17, folder 14
University of California at Los Angeles - digital images for memorial.
2009
Scope and Contents note
Includes 1 DVD with scanned images that were used in the slide show presentation.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
CONTAINS UNPROCESSED DIGITAL MATERIALS: Digital materials are not currently available for access and will require further
processing and assessment. If you have questions about this material please email spec-coll@library.ucla.edu.
box 18, folder 1
Memorial album.
2009
Scope and Contents note
Album containing remembrances of Alice McGrath. Authors include: Martin Hird, Arthur Gilbert, Greg Totten, Amanda Irma Perez,
and Rene Rodriguez.
