BREAKING THROUGH Lighting the Way: doris topsy-elvord

BREAKING THROUGH Lighting the Way

Civil rights era women chronicled in BREAKING THROUGH Lighting the Way, a collection of historical profiles that pays tribute to those who made a difference in the racial history of Long Beach and Southern California, is being prepared as a photographic exhibition of portraits and historical photographs, documents and artifacts that have been lovingly preserved by the women themselves, primarily as their legacies for their families. Now this collection will be available for the general public to enjoy.

LONG BEACH LEGENDS

Carrie Bryant

Dale Clinton

Alta Cooke

Maycie Herrington

Evelyn Knight

Patricia Lofland

Vera Mulkey

Wilma Powell

Autrilla Scott

Bobbie Smith

Doris Topsy-Elvord

Lillie Mae Westley

The collective years of these women in the City of Long Beach total more than 600. They represent first and second black women to hold positions of employment that had once excluded African Americans, launching political careers, starting businesses and establishing many of the socially responsible organizations the City of Long Beach now boasts.

The planned exhibition will present their triumphs and serve as a teaching tool to inform younger generations of their successes.

LINKS

BTLW Preview Show: EXPO Arts Center

Press Telegram: Project Recognizes African American Female Leaders

BTLW Facebook Page

Leadership Long Beach Library Archive

Sunny Nash & Carolyn Smith Watts Honor Black Women

Loss of Legend: Autrilla Scott

Press Telegram: Pride in a Pioneering Dozen

Everything Long Beach

Bixby Knolls first Friday