The Los Angeles community lost an iconic community member, and I lost a friend and mentor over the New Year’s weekend. Today, I wish to honor and celebrate the life of a remarkable woman, community leader, political activist, and social justice change maker, Ms. Bobbie Jean Anderson.
Her unfortunate passing on December 30, 2023, was shocking to all who knew her and a major loss to the Los Angeles community. Bobbie Jean, however, left behind a legacy of important work that will remain in place for decades and will continue to improve the standard of living for generations of working-class Californians.
Her accomplishments include:
- Fighting to ensure fair market values and relocation costs were provided to homeowners and tenants after Caltrans used eminent domain for a freeway expansion.
- As a labor activist with SEIU 660 and Local 721, Ms. Anderson fought for worker’s rights including fair wages.
- A 40-year career with the County of Los Angeles and 25 years with the Public Defender’s Office where she established a job-training and internship program for high school students interested in careers with the department.
- A 1995 appointment by President Bill Clinton to the national Criminal Justice Taskforce.
- Chair of the Black Women’s Forum Criminal Justice Task Force, where she works on programs that support prisoner re-entry and focus women serving time in prisons.
- Appointment to the Los Angeles Police Commission Permit Review Panel.
- Lauded as the Los Angeles County Democrat of the Year.
- As an appointee to the Los Angeles County Redistricting Commission, Bobbie Jean fought to preserve assets and resources in South Los Angeles.
- Vice Chair of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party.
- 10 terms of service on the Democratic State Central Committee (DSCC) including service on the DSCC Executive Board.
- Awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by SEIU Local 721.
- A 1992 delegate to the Democratic National Convention.
- A member of the State’s Legislative/Affirmative Action Standing Committee.
- Appointee to the City of Los Angeles Human Relations Commission.
- Member of the Board and State Commissioner of Barbering and Cosmetology
- Receiving the “Image of Excellence Award” by Mu Lambda Omega Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
- Board member with the Jenesse Center Domestic Violence and Intervention Program where she had volunteered for over 20 years.
- Recipient of the Jenesse Center “Silver Rose Award” for her work with domestic violence victims.
Above all else, Bobbie Jean Anderson was a humanitarian who cared deeply about people and their struggles. She was a graduate of Fremont High School and earned a certificate as a certified shorthand court reporter from the Downey Court Reporting School.
Ms. Anderson leaves behind a son, two grandchildren, Anthony and Desiree, and one great granddaughter, Jailyn.