I’m delighted that one of the outcomes of Kamala Harris’ historic achievement as the first Black woman on a major party ticket for vice president is that more people are now hearing about Charlotta Bass. I don’t believe it detracts from Senator Harris’ moment at all; learning about Charlotta Bass right now illuminates the long history of Black women’s leadership in civic life, as well as how often it is erased from history. If you have never heard of Charlotta Bass before now, you are not alone. Most people living in Los Angeles where she lived and worked for decades have never heard of her. That should be shocking given her many accomplishments over her career, and her prominence in the civic life of Los Angeles.
Marti Tippens Murphy
Marti Tippens Murphy has been with Facing History and Ourselves since 1997, starting in the Los Angeles office. A native Memphian, she moved back to her hometown in the summer of 2014 to become the director of Facing History in Memphis. Marti loves Memphis history and music, and is thrilled to be back home.
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Charlotta Bass Changed the Way I Understand History
Posted by Marti Tippens Murphy on August 21, 2020
Topics: Los Angeles, black history