Louvenia Jenkins made history as one of the first Black female homeowners in mostly white Pacific Palisades, acquiring her home in 1967. Throughout her 57 years there, she became a symbol of Black female success and persevered through systemic racial and gender barriers. Tragically, in early January, a fire destroyed her home, erasing her material possessions but not her spirit. At 96 years old, Jenkins reflects on her life positively, stating, 'Life has been beautiful,' and emphasizes that she will not give up despite her tremendous loss.
Jenkins' house stood as a quiet monument to Black female success. Her white Mercedes sat covered beneath the front carport. Her tennis trophies, displayed in the front window, could be seen from the street.
At 96, Jenkins has been forced to start over. 'Life has been beautiful,' she said. 'And this is not the end of the line.'
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