Carmen Combs

(1903-1991). Lawyer. Referee in Los Angeles Juvenile Court.

Interviewed by Elizabeth McBroom. Date of interview 8-14-90. 1 cassette tape (1 duplicate tape). Length of interview: 1 hour and 12 minutes. Transcript of interview: 24 pp. CD containing interview and transcript.

Interview Topics

Early childhood in Iowa; graduation from Yale School of Law in 1927; early law practice; work at USC in Legal Aid Clinic; work with "Okie" families; referee in juvenile courts in Los Angeles area; House of Good Shepherd and Boys Republic; detention of children at McClaren Hall; appointment from Earl Warren to city's advisory committee; career with League of Women Voters and issues addressed; involvement with grand jury investigations; "Woman of the Year" award; volunteer for Pasadena School District; work with League of Women Voters and its involvement with migrant workers; philosophy as working mother; changes in child welfare and lives of children; effectiveness of social welfare agencies in working with juvenile delinquents; opinion of probation officers.

Additional Material

  • Program and correspondence for "Models for Tomorrow: The Multi-Service Center, the Multi-Purpose Worker."
  • Carmen Combs, "Juvenile Justice or Do Too Many Rights Make a Wrong?." 9 page manuscript of article published in Glendale Law Review, 1976.
  • Obituary from League of Women Voters newsletter, October 1991.
  • Minutes of Advisory Committee on Detention Practices, 5-2-74. (Combs a member.)
  • Carmen Combs, Short Tales from a Long Life (1988).

Download the transcript: 
» Transcript