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Council, Residents Bid Hall Farewell
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Dowell:
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Ethel Bradley, Wife of Former L.A. Mayor Tom Bradley, Passes
From staff reports
The
former first lady of Los Angeles, Ethel Bradley, the wife of Mayor
Tom Bradley and the longest sitting first lady, died Nov. 25 at Kaiser
Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center. She was 89.
Ethel Bradley served as the “first lady” of Los Angeles for
20 years, where she elevated her role to one of service, dedication and
humanitarianism. She was an organizer, a successful entrepreneur, civic
leader, horticulturist and the biggest Dodger fan in the history of the
franchise.
As a civic leader, she organized a diverse group of more than 100
women from all over the city into the popular and dedicated Las Angelenas,
volunteers who served as hostesses for visiting foreign dignitaries and
conducted tours of Los Angeles City Hall. These women served as the unofficial
public and community relations arm for the city of Los Angeles.
With Los Angeles Sentinel Publisher Ruth Washington and then Assemblywoman
Maxine Waters, Bradley founded the Black Women’s Forum, an organization
of more than 500 women who met on a regular basis to address issues critical
to the African-American community.
Bradley worked with the YWCA, presented citizens awards through the
Los Angeles Human Relations Commission and hosted an annual Christmas party
for city volunteers.
Despite being a world-class city, Los Angeles did not have a permanent
residence for its mayor when Tom Bradley was sworn into office in 1973.
In 1975 Emperor Hiro Ito of Japan visited Los Angeles, and the Bradleys
entertained them at the Music Center. Bradley felt that the mayor should
have a house to host visiting dignitaries. Through her urging, Mayor Bradley
proceeded to pursue a permanent official city residence for the purpose
of entertaining visiting dignitaries and civic leaders. The Getty House
in Hancock Park was ultimately donated to the city.
Bradley hosted dinners and luncheons for the leaders of 125 countries,
some of which included the royal families of Great Britain, Sweden, Spain;
Imelda Marcos; Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands; President Houchet Boicnet
of the Ivory Coast; and the historic visits of Nelson Mandela and Pope
John Paul II.
Born on Feb. 9, 1919, in Taylor, Texas, Ethel Arnold was the second
youngest child of Lucille and Benjamin Arnold Sr. The family moved to Dallas
in 1921. The family moved to Los Angeles when she was 12 years old, settling
on the east side and becoming members of New Hope Baptist Church.
Her father taught Sunday school at New Hope, where a 14-year-old
Tom Bradley became a faithful student and close family friend.
In January 1935, Ethel Arnold graduated from Jefferson High School
before her 15th birthday.
During those early years, young Ethel Arnold excelled in athletics
and developed a love of baseball that continued until her death .
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