Verdugo Views: News-Press editor prompted women’s group
On a warm August evening in 1946, a civic-minded woman named Ruth Buchanan received a phone call from the women’s editor of the Glendale News-Press.
The editor, Katherine Sinks, pointed out to Buchanan that there were 16 propositions listed on the next election ballot. She wanted to know if there was an organization that was “making a study of them.”
Buchanan replied that she knew of none.
Sinks responded, “Isn’t it about time you women start an organization for the study and better understanding of civic matters?” as related by Buchanan in a printed history of the Women’s Civic League of Glendale compiled by Frances Ahl in 1964.
Buchanan agreed that it was a good idea. Then Sinks told her that she was meeting the next day with a woman who wanted to know more about the local political scene. Sinks suggested that Buchanan attend the meeting and invite other civic-minded women, too.
As they chatted, Sinks and Buchanan came up with a list of 14 possible attendees (an equal number of Republicans and Democrats). Buchanan phoned each one with an invitation and 11 attended the gathering the next afternoon.
After much discussion, it was unanimously agreed that there was need for such an organization, and Mrs. Louis S. Hansen was selected as temporary chairman.
The women agreed to limit the charter membership to 50. None of them was to be president of any organization, so that they would not have to divide their responsibilities with existing groups.
On Sept. 26 of that same year, the charter members gathered at the local YWCA and listened to a Pasadena woman describe how their civic league was organized. Bylaws were presented and it was agreed that the league would not be a crusading organization, but would encourage “the study and public consideration of civic, economic, and legislative questions.”
Hansen was elected as president and Buchanan as vice president and chair of city affairs.
At their October meeting at the Glendale Public Library, five members discussed the amendments on the November ballot.
The new group was an immediate hit and, by the following February, membership had reached the 150 mark. By May, membership stood at 200.
The league continued to meet during the summer months and the league president, Hansen, served as mistress of ceremonies when the Casa Adobe de San Rafael, one of the oldest buildings in Glendale, was officially dedicated as a California landmark in 1947.
By the beginning of the organization’s second year, membership was at 300, and the league stressed that each citizen should — on their own — watch how the city operated. Three study groups were created — one for the various courts, a second for taxes and a third for the city charter.
Now, 70 years later, the group will be recognized by City Council members — at their Sept. 20 meeting — for their years of providing Glendale residents with information about pertinent civic issues.
Two days later, Mayor Paula Devine will deliver greetings and congratulations from the city at the league’s celebratory luncheon. Members will drink a toast to past efforts to enlighten and educate members and bring about a more informed citizenry. Several past presidents will share their memories.
Luncheon cost is $18. For more information or to make reservations, contact Lyn Foster at (818) 552-5175 by Sept. 12.
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Readers Write:
Nancy Oda, president of the board of directors of the Tuna Canyon Detention Station Coalition, helped organize a fundraising luncheon in August 2015 for a traveling exhibit about the detention center in La Tuna Canyon during World War II. Oda emailed her thanks for a July 28 Verdugo Views story on the history of the canyon. “Thanks for writing such a comprehensive article. Your support means a lot to us,” she wrote.
At that 2015 luncheon, longtime Sunland resident Lloyd Hitt was honored for his efforts to preserve the memory of the detention station. Hitt’s volunteer activities at the Bolton Hall Museum led to a nearly- 10-year project compiling information about the detention center and advocating for its recognition.
In 2013, a 1-acre, oak-filled site on the grounds of the former detention station was declared a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. Along with the coalition, Hitt is working to erect a monument and to create a traveling exhibit about the station, according to a program book from the 2015 luncheon.
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KATHERINE YAMADA can be reached at katherineyamada@gmail.com or by mail at Verdugo Views, c/o News-Press, 202 W. First St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. Please include your name, address and phone number.
