Tag Archives: Black History

Beulah Home – Oakland California

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The Home

In 1892, a group of prominent African American women from Oakland, California, formed the Old People’s Home Association (OPHA). Its purpose was to establish and sustain a home for the aged and infirm colored people.

Screenshot

The Home for Aged and Infirm Colored People was the first to be built in California. It was sometimes called Beulah Home because of its location in Beulah Heights (Beulah initially.)

Constitution and Bylaws of the Home for Aged and Infirm Colored People of California – 1934

Beulah Heights (originally just Beulah) was a district in Alameda County just northwest of Mills College. In 1909, it was annexed to the City of Oakland.

The association was directed by a Board of Directors consisting of thirty women and an advisory board of ten men, and the home was managed by a matron, nursing assistants, and a resident physician.

The association sponsored festivals, dances, and concerts to raise money for building costs.

SF Chron Aug 26, 1895

The beautiful site on the northern border of Mills College for the home was donated by a Christian Missionary, George S. Montgomery, and his wife, Carrie Judd Montgomery of Beulah. The Montgomerys ran the Salvation Home of Peace.

Below is a page from the 1925 Vol 5 Sanborn Fire Map. The left circle shows what is now MacArthur Blvd. The right circle shows the home, which is now within the college campus.

After the OPHA secured the land, they hired local architect D.F. Oliver to draw up the plans for the home. The plans called for a neat two-story building with a mansard roof and underground basement for $2.773, and I. and H. Bingham were the builders.

Oakland Tribune Aug 18, 1897

The deed contained a few binding clauses:

“…the land was to be used only for the home, and should it ceased to exsit the property would revert back to Montgomery.”

“…no intoxicating shall ever be sold.”

The home was ready in two months and began receiving inmates (residents) in October 1897.

Oakland Enquirer July 1905

The two-story Victorian originally had sixteen rooms. In 1905, after an eight-room edition, which gave them room for nineteen residents. Electricity was added in 1919. In 1927, an annex of four bedrooms and two sleeping porches was added.

This is from their letterhead circa the 1930s.

Donation Day

The association always needed money to keep the home open. They would sponsor dances, dinners, and donation days.

San Francisco Call and Post Nov 1914

Once a year, the directors of the home made a plea to the people of Oakland to contribute a small portion to the comfort of the “elderly colored people” who lived there.

Oakland Tribune Nov 1919

The Residents

Alcohol use was prohibited, and males and females were segregated in the living quarters. The women were required to sew, knit, and assist in domestic labor as they could. The men were required to cultivate the grounds and keep them in good order. The men also cared for the livestock. You had to be sixty-five or older to become a resident.

Initially, residents were charged a lifetime membership fee of $500.00. In 1919, the price was lowered to $350.00. In 1934, the price was $600.00.

In 1937, they proposed (not sure if they did) charging incoming residents:

  • $ 1000.00-lifetime fee for 65 to 69 years old
  • $ 800.00-lifetime fee for 70 years or older
  • $ 1400.00-lifetime fee for out-of-state residents

The first resident was Alvin A. Coffey, a Kentucky-born, formerly enslaved person. He came to California during the Gold Rush.

1849 Alvin A. Coffey came to California with his master’s brother. Coffey was permitted to start a business for himself, but he was not allowed to keep his money. Between 1849 and 1857, he made three trips to California. On the third trip, he saved enough money to purchase freedom for himself, his wife, and his children. Coffey and his family settled in Shasta County in 1857.

1887, Coffey was the first African American to be inducted into the Society of California Pioneers.

Slaves Tale Told in the Court

An Oakland Tribune article from 1901 reported an unsuccessful attempt was made to have Alvin Coffey sent to an insane asylum.

Coffey stated the problem started when he sold a horse to the home’s matron and her daughter for $35.00. He said she refused to pay, so he went to the association, and they ordered her to pay.

“Since then, she has been very bitter towards me.” Coffey 1901

The matron swore to the complaint, charging Coffey with insanity. She alleged he attempted to put chickens to roost during the day and that he had

“a strange gleam in his eye.” Harriet Davis 1901

The complaint was discharged by the Lunacy Commissioner, who found Coffey to be of sound mind.

Solano-Napa News Chronicle March 6, 1952

Mrs. Mary Ann Lane, a Negro Pioneer and ex-slave, died in the home in 1932 at the age of 102. She had lived there for twenty-five years.

1908 Oakland City Directory
Mrs. Sarah McDonald died in 1924

Closing the Home

In 1937, the Department of Social Services informed them that their license to run the home was put on hold due to concerns they had about its financial condition.

At the same time, the Oakland Fire Marshall strongly recommended that the residents be moved to a safe, fire-proof building—the cost of bringing the old wooden building up to fire prevention requirements. The Community Chest of Oakland withdrew its monthly support.

Undated Budget Report most likey the late 1930s.

“the present building constitutes a serious and dangerous fire hazard.” Oakland Fire Marshall, 1937

The home remained in business until 1938. , Mills College purchased the property in 1938 and the home was demolished in 1939.

Oakland Tribune Feb 5, 1939

Past Presidents

Pamphlet 1924
 Past presidents and officers of the Home for Aged and Infirm Colored People of California – circa 1924

From Facebook

According to a Facebook post, this is the home. I’m not sure.

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“Negro Trail Blazers” in Oakland – Education

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Black pioneers moved to Oakland soon after the town was founded in 1852. By 1860 23 blacks were living in the Oakland Township, and 18 were living in the town of Brooklyn (east of Lake Merritt, now a part of Oakland.)

Isaac and Elizabeth Flood lived in Brooklyn (Oakland). They were among the noted “Negro pioneers” of California, according to the “Negro Trailblazers of California.”

Segregated

The first schools in California, public and private, were segregated. The system of segregated schools developed without organized opposition or serious debate. Eventually, segregation became law with the California School Code of 1860 explicitily prohibited Black, Chinese, and Indian children from attending public schools.

The Black community recognized the need to educate their children in Oakland and the town of Brooklyn.

The Flood Family

Elizabeth Thorn Scott came to California during the Gold Rush with her first husband, Joseph Scott, and settled in Placerville, CA. Her husband died soon after their arrival. Elizabeth then settled in Sacramento, with her young son.

Seeing the need for a school for “non-whites,” she opened her home centrally located between M and N Streets on May 29, 1854, becoming the first “colored” private school in Sacramento.

Elizabeth Thorne Flood undated Oakland History Room

There were 14 students in the school between the ages of 4 and 29, and their families paid $1.00 per week, and they paid her $50.00 per month. Later the school became part of St. Andrews (AME) Church, holding classes in the basement.

Isaac Flood came to California in search of gold. In the early 1850s, he settled in the Brooklyn Township. Elizabeth and Iassc were married in 1855 (not sure when or where they met.) She retired from teaching and moved to Brooklyn.

In 1856 Elizabeth gave birth to a son George Frances Flood, who was said to be the first “black boy” born in Alameda County. She gave birth to a daughter Lydia Flood in 1862.

George F. Flood 1856-1924
Lydia Flood Jackson 1862-1963

Again seeing the need for schools in the black community, she campaigned to get support for another school.

In 1857, she opened a private school for Black children in Alameda County in her home at 1334 East 15th Street. Members of the Black community supported this effort, paying tuition on top of paying taxes that covered schools their children could not attend.

This was the first private school in the Oakland area open to all minorities. Elizabeth’s goal for her school was to be competitive with White schools.

Oakland Heritage Alliance Newsletter Fall 1984

In 1863 the Shiloh A.M.E Church (now First A.M.E Church) assumed control of the school following its formal organization as a church. The Flood’s helped organize the church and were founding members. The church purchased the abandoned Carpentier schoolhouse (see Oakland’s First Schoolhouse)and moved the building to 7th and Market Streets in West Oakland. The tiny building served as the church’s chapel and housed the school. Elizabeth taught at the school until she died in 1867 (unexpectedly)at 39.

Isaac continued their quest for equal education for all children. He was a member of the California Colored Convention Movement, and they, as a group, challenged California’s segregation laws in the early 1870s, citing the recently enacted 14th and 15th amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

He and a group of leaders in the Black community petitioned the School board in 1871 to end segregation.

Their daughter Lydia was among the first to attend an integrated Oakland public school, the old Swett Grammar School on 12th Avenue and East 19th Street.

Brooklyn Colored School

The expense of supporting a private school was a heavy burden on the Black community, and in 1866 the parents from both Oakland and Brooklyn petitioned both the Oakland and Brooklyn’s Boards of Education to provide the education of Black children in both areas. After months of delay, the Brooklyn board voted to establish a public school in Brooklyn, and it was open to children in both areas.

In 1867 the Brooklyn Colored School opened in the town of Brooklyn (now East Oakland.) It was the first public school for Black children in Alameda County. It was located at 1008 10th Avenue (or 1066 10th Avenue)in an old, dilapidated building that was originally a private residence (old Manning House) and measured only 35 by 38 feet.

Brooklyn Colored School Oakland CA – Miss Mary Jane Sanderson – Oakland History Room

A young Black woman, Miss Mary Sanderson, was the only teacher from 1867-1871. She was only 16 when she started teaching at the school (Oakland Heritage Alliance Newsletter winter-spring 1994.)

In 1870 the school was located in a room of the Adams Street Primary School, a two-story brick building built in 1866. (Brooklyn Independent December 3, 1870.) This might explain the brick building in the photo above.

In 1871 the minimum number of stents fell below the required 10. It was forced as there were more children from Oakland than from Brooklyn.

1871

The Black children of Oakland found it difficult to get to the Brooklyn School due to its remote location. In 1869, the Oakland Board of Education voted to open an evening school that admitted Black children and adults. The Black community rented a building on Jefferson Street, and the Board of Education contributed $25 a month towards the support of the school. D. Clinton Taylor, a white teacher, taught in the one-room school. The school closed in July 1869 after operating for only six months.

In 1872, Oakland’s Board of Education went against the State School code and approved integrating Oakland schools in a 5-2 vote.

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Joshua Rose

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Oakland’s first black city councilman Joshua Rose from 1965 to 1977, served on the Oakland City Council representing District 2.

Joshua Rose pictured in 1928 (University of Pittsburgh)

Early Life

Joshua Richard Rose was born in Lexington, Virginia, on September 11, 1906, to George and Mary (Charles) Rose.

His family relocated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where Joshua attended Schenley High School.

After high school, he enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt), where he completed the required credits for a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in 1934. He did post-graduate work in economics, philosophy, and psychology at New York University.

YMCA

While at Pitt, he worked at the Hill District Center Avenue YMCA. The Y served as a residence for Black students at Pitt who were not allowed to reside at the university residence halls.

The Montclair Times Jun 18, 1935

After graduation, Rose accepted a position with the YMCA in Montclair, New Jersey.

The Pittsburgh Courier – February 23, 1935
Montclair Times – Feb 1939

In 1939, Rose moved to California with his wife Virginia and their two children, Richard and Virginia, to help establish a branch of the Oakland YMCA for the local African American community.

Oakland Tribune April 23, 1939

He helped create what was later known as the Northwest Branch, initially located at 36th and San Pablo but later moved to 3265 Market St. in the early 1940s.

Rose was responsible for introducing summer day camps incorporating arts and crafts with sports and outdoor activities, including an annual trip to Yosemite National Park.

Oakland Tribune March 28, 1943

Rose worked throughout his career to provide many Oakland youth with constructive activities and summertime employment through the YMCA’s programs. In 1967 Rose retired as Associate General Secretary of the Metropolitan Branch of the YMCA.

Board of Playground Directors

SF Examiner July 18, 1947

In 1947, the city council selected Rose to be the first African American member of the Board of Playground Directors, a group that would eventually become the Oakland Recreation Commission.

Oakland Tribune June 1, 1959

Rose was a board member for 17 years, including serving as chairman from 1961 to 1962.

Oakland Tribune May 9, 1957

Oakland City Councilman

On August 27, 1964, he was asked by Mayor John Houlihan if he would complete the unexpired term of Robert V. McKeen on the Oakland City Council. Rose agreed and became the first African American to sit on the Council.

Oakland Tribune August 30, 1964

He represented the 2nd District. Rose, a Republican, was re-elected three times in 1965, 1969, and 1973.

“I have a deep interest in Oakland’s future. To secure that future, dedication and sacrifice based on sound academic training and reliable experience are necessary.”

Joshua A. Rose April 1965

He was a respected member of the Council, particularly for his work in easing racial tensions in the city in the late 1960s when the Black Panther Party, founded in Oakland in 1966, challenged the local political establishment.

After sustaining severe injuries in an automobile accident, Rose officially retired from the Council on June 30, 1977.

Death

“Josh was a symbol for us” “A symbol of success.”
Mayor Lionel Wilson Septe 1987

Joshua Rose passed on April 13, 1987, from Parkinson’s disease. He was 81.

SF Examiner April 16, 198

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Fanny Wall Children’s Home

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Fannie Wall Children’s Home and Day Nursery, an orphanage and daycare center, was established in 1918 by African-American clubwomen in West Oakland. Sometimes it is called the Fanny Wall Home.

“Charity is the Golden Chain that reaches from heaven to earth.”

from the letterhead

The Beginning

In 1914 the Northern Federation of California Colored Women’s Clubs President Fanny Wall and Financial Secretary Hettie Tilghman began working on a children’s home and day nursery to support black working mothers and care for orphaned black children. After years of planning and fundraising, the home opened in 1918 on Peralta Street in West Oakland.

“Care for the Orphans

“Shelters the Half Orphans”

“Keeps the Children of Day Workers.”

Oakland Tribune April 1920

Initially, the home was called the“Northern Federation Home and Day Nursery.” It was subsequently renamed to honor Fannie Wall who was the first woman to run the charity on a daily basis.

The Fannie Wall Children’s Home and Day Nursery was open to children of all races, ethnicities, and religions, it was the first facility in Northern California to provide various services including housing, boarding, and daycare for black orphans.

It was located at 1215 Peralta Street in West Oakland from 1918-1928.

Fannie Wall ( 1860-1944) came to Oakland with her family in the early 1900s.  She was born in Gallatin Tennessee in 1860.  She was married to Archey(Archy) H. Wall (18?? -1931), was a staff sergeant in the US Army.  They had two daughters, Lillian (Williams) and Florence (Murray), and one son Clifton. Archey was transferred to the Presidio in San Francisco and they ultimately ended up in Oakland. Wall was an early community activist who participated in several organizations that promoted African American economic empowerment

She served several terms as the president of the California Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs.

She co-founded the Art and Industrial Club of Oakland in 1906.  Under her presidency, the club joined the Child Welfare League. Wall also help establish the “Colored Y” of Oakland.

In 1936 Archie Williams her grandson (Lillian)won a gold medal in the 400-meter run in Berlin.

Oakland Tribune Aug 8, 1936

Fannie Wall died on April 14, 1944, in her home on Telegraph Avenue.  She is buried in the same plot as her husband in the San Francisco National Cemetery.

Oakland Tribune Apr 20, 1944

Linden Street Site

In 1928, having outgrown its original location they moved to a new one on Linden Street.

Fannie Wall Children’s Home, 815 Linden – 2nd site -Courtesy The African American Museum and Library Oakland

The handsome house at 815 Linden Street was purchased for $5000. The upper-middle-class house was designed by Charle Man in the 1880s.  It was one of five buildings built by Frances Reichling a surveyor, who subdivided his property at the corner of Linden Street and Eighth Street.  The largest of the buildings became the family home and the others were rentals.

Linden Street 1948 -African American Museum & Library at Oakland (Oakland, Calif.)

The home could accommodate up to 20 resident children and 8-15 children for daycare services and be operated by a professional staff of over ten employees that included social workers and a volunteer psychiatrist. 

The house was considered a step up from the one on Peralta Street and was across the street from the “Colored Y.”

Women and children seated around the piano at the Fannie Wall Children’s Home and Day Nursery- updated -African American Museum & Library at Oakland (Oakland, Calif.)

New Look

The Linden Street site was given a face-lift in 1953. The “new look,” a two-room addition was used as the administrative offices, releasing the old offices and reception room for nursery classes and a future library.  They provided room for 47 children.  

In 1962 the Oakland Redevelopment Agency purchased the property at 815 Linden St. in order to demolish the building for the Acorn Project.

Management

“Fannie Wall is Calling”

From the annual report

The Northern Federation of Colored Women Clubs operated the Fannie Wall Home until 1941. The home was then incorporated as an independent organization. At that time it was the only home in California that primarily cared for African-American children.

The home was admitted as an agency of the Community Chest-United crusade in 1923

Fannie Wall was elected as the first president and served more than 20 years as the head of the 21 board of directors. She was succeeded by Mrs. Lydia Smith Ward who in turn was followed by Mrs. Chlora Hayes Sledge in the 1940s.

The home was managed by a Board of Directors, which largely consisted of members of the Northern Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs, a community advisory committee, and an executive director who oversaw the home’s day-to-day operations.

The Board of Directors of the Fanny Wall Home – Chlora Hays Sledge, President, center-left.Courtesy The African American Museum and Library Oakland

The home was the first Community Chest Children’s Agency in the East Bay to employ a trained social worker.

Girls with fans at the Fannie Wall Home, in the 1940s.Courtesy The African American Museum and Library Oakland

Fundraising

 The home received funding from a variety of sources including rent from an apartment in Berkeley donated by Josephine Sutton, Community Chest, the Dreiser Trust, and through fundraising events coordinated by the home.

Ticket to chicken dinner for Fannie Wall Home Benefit-1944 -African American Museum & Library at Oakland (Oakland, Calif.)
Fannie Wall Children’s Home and Day Nursery, Inc. charity ball program – 1946 – African American Museum & Library at Oakland (Oakland, Calif.)- Identifier
MS162_B1_F6_001
Oakland Tribune 1958

The third charity ball was held on January 19, 1948, at the Oakland Auditorium.

In 1959 a fashion show was held at Slim Jenkins to raise money for the building fund.  Models showed the latest styles.

A Haven For Children

Rodeo artists Schwartz and Grodin entertain children with finger paints at the Fannie Wall Children’s Home and Day Nursery – circa 1947 -African American Museum & Library at Oakland Photograph Collection
Oakland Tribune 1949

In 1949  the Fannie Wall home had 30 children who received daycare while their parents worked.  Ranging in age from 3 to 14 years. During the summer months, the children took swimming lessons at the de Fremery Park pool: enjoyed story hours at the West Oakland Branch Library, and had special excursions to other city parks and playgrounds.

Birthday Party 1946

Monthly parties were held to honor the children whose birthdays occurred during the month. They would dress up for a special dinner or an afternoon party.

Oakland Tribune Aug 8, 1948
Integrated Playground at the Fanny Wall Home, the 1950s. Courtesy The African American Museum and Library Oakland

The Final Location

In 1964 they purchased a house at 647 55th Street for $19,000. They initially struggled to obtain a license from the Social Welfare Department, and the home was not re-opened until 1967 as part of a placement program for the Alameda County Welfare Department.

Fannie Wall Children’s Home 55th Street – 3rd site Courtesy The African American Museum and Library Oakland

The home was forced to close again in 1970 for remodeling and reopened in 1978 as a child daycare facility and Head Start Center. It is now called Fannie Wall Head Start.

Group photograph of attendees at Fannie Wall Children’s Home and Day Nursery mortgage burning ceremony (first row, left-right): Annie Mae Smith, Albertine Radford, Silvia Parker, Mildred McNeal, Marge Gibson (second row, left-right): Bessie Watson, Euna Tucker, N. Adams, Lela Posey (third row, left-right): Eugene P. Lasartemay, Roy Blackburn, Kermit Scott, Harold Adams – 1981 -African American Museum & Library at Oakland Photograph Collection
Fannie Wall Pre-K Program – 647 55th Street Oakland CA

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First African American Miss Oakland

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Miss Oakland 1968

In 1968, Tanya Dennis was crowned Miss Oakland, becoming the first African-American to wear the crown. She then became one of the early African-American to compete for the title of Miss California.

Oakland Tribune 1968

Miss Dennis was the first of three (in a row) African-American Miss Oakland.

Oakland Tribune June 1968

In June of 1969, Miss Dennis competed with 36 other girls from throughout the state for Miss California.

Miss Dennis won the talent division with an exotic African ballet.

Santa Cruz Sentinel June 1968

Miss Dennis was the third runner-up in the Miss California pageant.

 Miss Oakland 1969

In 1969, Laomia McCoy was crowned Miss Oakland, becoming the second African – American to wear the crown and compete for Miss California’s title.

Miss McCoy sang a selection from “Porgy and Bess” to win the talent category in preliminary judging, and Miss Redlands, Susan Anton, took the swimsuit honor.

The Californian June 20, 1969

Susan Anton won the title of Miss California, and Miss McCoy was one of the runner-ups.

Miss McCoy was 19 at the time of the competition and a student at Merritt College.

Oakland Tribune May 1969

Miss Oakland 1970

Jet Magazine July 30, 1970

In 1970 Theresa Smith was crowned Miss Oakland, becoming the third African-American to wear the crown and compete for Miss California’s title.

Santa Cruz Sentinel June 4, 1970

Smith competed alongside 35 contestants for the title of Miss California.

SF Examiner June 17, 1970

The Miss Congeniality, an award voted by the contestants, was awarded to Miss Oakland, Theresa Smith; she was also honored for being the most talented non-finalist dancer in the competition.

Oakland Tribune November 12, 1970

Miss Smith was 20 years old at the time of the competition and a student at the University of California.

The officials at the Miss California State pageant refused to allow Miss Smith to perform unless she dropped the “offensive” word “Black,” from her recitation. It hadn’t been offensive in Oakland.

Oakland Tribune October 8, 1970

Black Beauty Queens Denied Rewards

Laomia McCoy and Theresa Smith, Miss Oakland of 1969 and 1970, held a press conference to discuss that they were treated unfairly and racially discriminated against by the Miss Oakland beauty pageant’s sponsors.

“if they had it to do all over again they wouldn’t have competed in the annual pageant.”

Theresa Smith and Laoma McCoy Sept 19, 1970

Negligent

The Oakland Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) was the pageant’s sponsor for the previous 24 years before 1970.

Jet Magazine July 30, 1970

“I feel that they (the Jaycees) have been negligent in communicating with me and supporting me and have failed to bestow upon me the full benefits of my title said, Miss Smith.

Miss Smith charged that she was promised a $1000.00 scholarship but only received $100, was invited to appear at hardly any civic events, and was denied pay for personal appearances.

SF Examiner 1970

The Jaycees president said her complaints were just a misunderstanding about what the title involves and that she received the same as previous winners.

Theresa got a $100 scholarship that was promised before the start of school. The money arrived after final registration at UC, forcing her “to be faced with an additional fee for be late” in registering.

The Jaycees decided to drop their sponsorship of the pageant after 24 years in 1970; they said they were over budget by $1500.

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Slim Jenkins Supper Club – Market

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Harold “Slim” Jenkins was an African American entrepreneur and owner of the renowned Slim Jenkins Supper Club on 7th Street in West Oakland.

Exterior entrance of Slim Jenkins nightclub and coffee shop.
 E. F. Joseph Photograph Collection

Liquor Store and Market

SF Examiner

Slim Jenkins saw the economic opportunity in the business district and opened a liquor store on December 5, 1933, the same day as the repeal of Prohibition. Soon the business expanded a cafe.

1934
The exterior of Slim Jenkins Super-Market
 E. F. Joseph Photograph Collection
SF Examiner 1938

Coffee shop opens in April of 1938. The rest is history.

The interior of Slim Jenkins Super-Market
 E. F. Joseph Photograph Collection

The exterior of Slim Jenkins nightclub
 E. F. Joseph Photograph Collection
Oakland Tribune 1955
Oakland Tribune

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OPD – First Black Women Recruit

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In 1970 Saundra Brown was the first black woman accepted for the Oakland Police Department’s Recruits Academy.

SF Examiner December 18, 1970

“I’m kind of optimistic”

Saundra Brown December 1970

Born and raised in Oakland. She felt she knew the problems of the young here. She said, “in a city like Oakland, with its Black Panthers and militant groups, there is a special need for minority police officers.” She worked with teens during her college days.

Saundra graduated from Fresno College with a degree in sociology. She always had her eyes set on working with juveniles and looked into law enforcement as a possible field. She applied to OPD immediately after her June 1969 graduation. No opening existed.

She was working as a claims adjuster when she heard that OPD was looking for a “black policewomen.”

Police Academy

Saundra Brown, the first black woman on the Oakland police force

At that time, a MALE recruit needed only a high school diploma or a score of 262 on a GED course. WOMEN must have a four-year college degree or four years of experience in law enforcement. She had that.

She attended the same 15 weeks of Police Academy as the 22 males in her class. She was expected to compete with the males.

She took courses in criminal law and report writing, first aid traffic investigation, and the Oakland penal code. There were also defensive tactics, involving strenuous activities such as calisthenics, some judo, and a little karate.

SF Examiner December 1970

“Oh, I did alright I guess” she laughed. I can throw the biggest guy in the class.“

Saundra Brown – December 17, 1970

During the course, she learned for the first time in her life, to handle firearms.

“I used to be scared of guns,” she laughed,. “but now I feel safer with a gun in possession because I know how to use it”

Oakland Tribune Dec 14, 1970

Graduation

Oakland Tribune December 14, 1970

On December 18, 1970, she accepted her star and adulations from Police Chief Charles Gain as the only woman in the police academy of 24.

She finished at the top of her class. She hoped to be assigned to the juvenile division. However, Chief Gain had other ideas.

As the only minority-group policewoman, to handle firearms, he joined a slightly more signere were 710 men on the force, only seven women.

At that time, women were not allowed to compete with men for advancement. Fascinated with the legal issues she encountered as a policewoman, Saundra decided to attend law school while continuing to serve her hometown of Oakland as a police officer until 1977.

She served with OPD from 1970-77

Life after the OPD

She then received a Juris Doctor from the University of San Francisco School of Law in 1977.

She was a judicial extern at the California Court of Appeals in 1977 and a deputy district attorney in Alameda County, California, from 1978 to 1979 and 1980 to 1982. From 1979 to 1980, she was a senior consultant to the California Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice.

She was a trial attorney of the United States Department of Justice Public Integrity Section from 1982 to 1983. She then served as a Commissioner on the Consumer Product Safety Commission from 1983 to 1986 and the United States Parole Commission from 1986 to 1989.

SF Examiner Jan 22, 1989

She was a Judge on the Alameda Superior Court, California, from 1989 to 1991.

Judge Saundra Brown Armstrong official portrait art by Scott Johnston, oil on linen, 38×27-inches, collection of the United States District Court of Northern California, Oakland

On April 25, 1991, Armstrong was nominated by President George H. W. Bush to a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of California vacated by William Austin Ingram. She was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 14, 1991, and received her commission on June 18, 1991.

She earned a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from the Pacific School of Religion in 2012, and she assumed senior status on March 23, 2012

https://blackthen.com/the-real-cleopatra-jones-saundra-brown-1970-look-at-her-now/

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Audrey Lucinda Robinson

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Audrey Lucinda Robinson – 1915-2008

Audrey Robinson was the first African American teacher at Thornhill Elementary School in Oakland, Ca.

Mrs Robinson 1966 thornhill
Thornhill School 1966-1967

Early Years

Audrey Lucinda Robinson was the daughter of Charles Nelson and Maude Gibson.  She was born in 1915 in Oakland. She attended Peralta School and graduated from Claremont in 1930 and University High in 1933. The family lived at 6148 Colby Street.

Oakland_Tribune_Sun__Jan_15__1928_.jpg
Oakland Tribune 1928

She was a member of the Colored YWCA at 8th and Linden in West Oakland.  She was a member of a club that included Lionel Wilson, the former Mayor of Oakland.

Audrey married Frederick D. Robinson, a Washington, D.C. police officer in 1941, shortly before he was deployed to fight in World War II. In 1944 Robinson died during combat in Italy.

Oakland_Tribune_Sun__Apr_5__1942_
Oakland Tribune April 1942

Thornhill Elementary School

She was the first African American teacher at Thornhill School in the Montclair District of Oakland. She taught kindergarten for 10 years from 1966-1976. She said that she never experienced any form of racism from the children, staff, or parents. She said about one African American child would join her class every year. She loved her time at Thornhill and love the children. She was loved by the children.

Retirement

Audrey was dedicated to preserving the history of African Americans in the City of Oakland, and she volunteered with the African American Museum and Library of Oakland (AAMLO). She also became very active at the Oakland Museum, serving as Docent Chairman for the History Department. She also served as Vice President of Administration for the Cameron-Stanford House Preservation Association.

Audrey passed away in June of 2008 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.  Audrey was predeceased by her husband, a WW II fatality, and her son. She is survived by her daughter, Jeri, her grandson Frederick and two great-grandsons.

References:

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