Pasadena Black History Month Magazine - February 2023 | Pages 31 & 32
PROMINENT BLACK PASADENA RESIDENTS TALK ABOUT PEOPLE, MOMENTS AND MOVEMENTS IN BLACK HISTORY THAT SHAPED THEM
BY ANDRÉ COLEMAN, MANAGING EDITOR
Recently elected School Board Trustee Patrice Marshal McKenze listed former Mayor Loretta Glickman as an inspiration.
Glickman rotated into the Mayor's chair in 1982, and according to some sources was the first Black woman to serve as mayor in a US city with a population over 100,000 people.
"Pasadena's own Loretta Thompson Glickman inspired me as a young girl to strive to live a robust life that encapsulates professional, personal and public/community service," McKenzie said. "Ms. Glickman did all three with grace and ease. I'm also inspired by JoAnn Gibson Robinson, one of the key architects of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Her advocacy and tenacity are indicative of the impact that everyday people can have on our communities. We know the work of the noteworthy names, but the invaluable work of Black women like Ms. Robinson often goes unnoticed. I work and serve my community every day in the spirit of women like Mayor Glickman and Ms. Robinson.
"I WORK AND SERVE MY COMMUNITY EVERY DAY IN THE SPIRIT OF WOMEN LIKE MAYOR GLICKMAN AND MS. ROBINSON.
Former City Council member and mayoral candidate Jacque Robinson praised one of Pasadena greatest unsung heroes as an inspiration.
"As one of the few African American and women elected officials in Pasadena's history, I, (and I think we all) owe a debt of gratitude to Lois Richard," Robinson said. "She was the first Black woman who ran for City Council in 1979 and although she didn't win, her willingness to run, tenacity and strength brought the civil rights issue of at-large elections vs. districts to the forefront in Pasadena and elsewhere. Her lawsuit changed the way we elect representatives in Pasadena and my own place in Pasadena would not have happened without her."
Richard ran for a Pasadena City Director seat and obtained the majority of her district's votes.
But she lost in a runoff election.
Robert later sued the City forcing the City to change from at large to district elections, giving later candidates like Robinson an opportunity to run in the neighborhood where they grew up.
AS ONE OF THE FEW AFRICAN AMERICAN AND WOMEN ELECTED OFFICIALS IN PASADENA HISTORY, I, (AND I THINK WE ALL) OWE A DEBT OF GRATITUDE TO LOIS RICHARD
Pasadena Black History Month Magazine - February 2024 | Pages 31 & 32
PASADENA MARKS 2024 BLACK HISTORY MONTH WITH CELEBRATIONS AND ACTIVITIES
BOOK DISCUSSION
Join City Librarians and speakers for in-person and virtual book clubs led by the Library's book experts.
FOR ADULTS AGES 18+
ALLENDALE BOOK DISCUSSION
Will discuss An American Marriage by Tayari Jones.
Saturday, Feb. 3 10:30 a.m. Allendale Branch Library, 1130 S. Marengo Blvd.
ONLINE BOOK GROUP
Saturday, Feb. 17 10:30 a.m.. Zoom
Will discuss By Her Own Design: A Novel of Ann Lowe, Fashion Designer ot the Social Register by Piper Huguley. Sign up for each program separately at https://Pasadena Library.Trumba.com.
OCTAVIA BUTLER SCI FI BOOK CLUB
Saturday, Feb. 24. 3 p.m. La Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave.
Will feature author and researcher Dr. Kendra Parker, who will join us from Georgia on Zoom to present her lecture: "Walking a Mile in Her Shoes: Exploring Octavia Butler's Archives."
BLACK HISTORY MONTH MAGAZINE 2024