Leontyne Butler King

Leontyne Butler King (July 4, 1905 – January 23, 1976) was an American businesswoman and clubwoman, based in Los Angeles, California after 1938. She was especially active as a member of the Los Angeles Public Library commission. Early life Leontyne Butler was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her father worked on the railroad, and died young. Her stepfather Leon E. Brown also worked for the railroad. She attended Knoxville College. She moved to Chicago with her mother, Hattie Butler Brown, and her aunt, as a teenager. Career Los Angeles Library Commission Leontyne King was the first black member of the five-person Los Angeles Public Library Commission, serving from early 1961 into the mid-1970s. She was appointed to the commission seat previously held by Dolores Hope. She was elected vice-president of the commission in 1962, and was president of the commission in 1969. During her presidency, the library system's experimental "Service for Shut-Ins" book delivery service for elderly, disabled, and ill patrons continued, bilingual library aides were hired, and the libraries observed Negro History Week. Black artists and writers were invited to speak in the libraries, including painter Charles White. She spoke against paving green spaces in the city to build parking lots, even for library employees.