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Pacoima's new postmaster

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@ Los Angeles Public Library

Hyde, Alan

Description

Photograph included in the Exhibit: Defining Their Identity: The Changing Roles of Women in the Post-War Era as Documented by the Valley Times Newspaper.Nancy C. Avery (1919-1992) was the first African American to serve as postmaster of a major American post office after being appointed by President John F. Kennedy in 1961. She served as Pacoima’s postmaster until retiring in 1984. She later commented, “The Democratic Party wanted to do something that had never been done before. I was the token.”Photograph caption dated October 2, 1961 reads, "Mrs. James Avery was installed acting postmaster of Pacoima Friday to become the first Negro to be selected as postmaster of a major office in California. Mrs. Avery, 42, 11501 Herrick Ave., receives congratulations after the ceremony from John DeRoo Jr., Granada Hills, 41st Assembly District Democratic delegation chairman, center, and Tom C. Carrell, Assemblyman from the 41st District."
Type:
Image
Format:
Photographic Prints
Contributors:
This project was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State LibrarianMade accessible through a grant from the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation and Photo Friends
Rights:
Images available for reproduction and use. Please see the Ordering & Use page at http://tessa.lapl.org/OrderingUse.html for additional information.
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Record Contributed By

Los Angeles Public Library

Record Harvested From

California Digital Library