Herald-Examiner Collection/Los Angles Public Library Photo Collection
Herald-Examiner Collection/Los Angles Public Library Photo Collection

Charlotta Bass was not a woman who’d let fear get in her way. As editor and owner of the now-defunct California Eagle from 1912 to 1951, Bass was dedicated to the advancement of black and brown people, as well as workers of all races. This dedication would lead her into battles with many powerful foes. “Mrs. Bass, one of these days you are going to get me killed,” her husband and co-editor, Joseph Bass, would often say.

“Mr. Bass, it will be in a good cause,” she’d reply.

Originally from South Carolina, Charlotta Bass (née Spears) moved to Los Angeles in the early 1900s. She got a job selling subscriptions at the California Eagle, a black community paper founded by John Neimore in 1879. She quickly became the newspaper’s girl Friday, working as a journalist, salesperson, and champion. When Neimore fell terminally ill, he made her promise to keep the paper alive. She agreed. In 1912, Bass bought the California Eagle, much to the amazement of patriarchal community leaders. In the book Forty Years: Memoirs From the Pages of a Newspaper, Bass recalled their reactions.

For the full story, visit LAMag.com/CultureFiles.

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