Almena Lomax facts for kids

Almena Lomax (born Almena Davis, July 23, 1915 – March 25, 2011) was an important African American journalist. She also worked as a civil rights activist, fighting for equal rights for all people.

Almena Lomax's Early Life

Almena Lomax was born in Galveston, Texas. When she was a child, her family moved to Chicago. This is where she and her sister grew up.

Later, her family moved to Los Angeles. Almena finished high school at Jordan High School in the Watts area. She then studied journalism briefly at Los Angeles City College. However, she left college to start working full-time.

Starting Her Journalism Career

Almena's first job was at a newspaper called the California Eagle. She worked there from 1935 to 1941. In 1941, she joined a church newspaper, the Interfaith Churchman. She bought this newspaper for a small amount of money. This newspaper then became the Los Angeles Tribune.

Almena Lomax's Impactful Career

In 1941, Almena Lomax started the Los Angeles Tribune. This was a weekly newspaper for the African-American community. She ran the newspaper with her former husband, Lucius W. Lomax, Jr. He was the publisher, and she was the editor. Almena also wrote a weekly opinion column for the paper.

Awards and Activism

In 1946, Almena Lomax won the Wendell Willkie Award. This award honored the best black journalists in the United States. She was one of only three winners that year.

During the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, Almena left California. She moved with her children to the South. There, she joined the fight for civil rights.

Later Journalism Work

After her time in the South, Almena returned to California. She worked as a reporter for major newspapers. These included the San Francisco Chronicle and the San Francisco Examiner. She covered many important stories. For example, she reported on the kidnapping of Patty Hearst.

A TV Appearance

Almena Lomax even appeared on television! She was a contestant on the TV show You Bet Your Life. This show was hosted by Groucho Marx. She was on the show on March 3, 1955, alongside famous boxer Joe Louis.

Almena Lomax's Family Life

Almena Lomax had six children. Four of her children were still living when she passed away. One of her children is Michael L. Lomax. He has held many important positions. He was the chairman of the Fulton County Commission in Georgia. He also served as president of Dillard University. This is one of the historically black colleges in New Orleans, Louisiana. Currently, he is the president and CEO of the United Negro College Fund.

Almena Lomax had two daughters who passed away before her. Michele L. Lomax was a film critic and journalist in San Francisco. She died in 1987. Her other daughter, Melanie E. Lomax, was a civil rights lawyer in Los Angeles. She passed away in 2006.