Beverly Fitch McCarthy

"I knew nothing about the women's struggle to get the vote. Women were rarely mentioned in history books."

(1933- 2021)

"The Heart of Stockton"

A little about who beverly was:
Did you know she was a Leo?
Majors: PE and Social Science
Educator, wife, mother, activist, patron of the arts,
Devoted to memories, community, loving, inclusivity, and equality--> noted from love of music, education, history, scrapbooking, advocacy, Christmas letters, family genealogy, etc
Active member of the National Organization of Women (NOW) chapter in San Joaquin,
Founder of the San Joaquin County Commission on the Status of Women (SJCCSW) and Susan B. Anthony awards honoring women
one of the 96 California delegates in attendance at NWC 1977

Role Model, Mentor, Loyal Friend

Venice High School, CaliforniaHolt Atherton Department of Special Collections

1948-1951Holt Atherton Department of Special Collections

1953, Beverly as a Junior at BerkeleyHolt Atherton Department of Special Collections

Early Life

Beverly Ann Fitch McCarthy was born in the Midwest to Clyde and Else Fitch on August 10, 1933. Born at a time when industrial labor was a prominent aspect of society, McCarthy learned the significance of working towards her own goals from her parents.

As the daughter of a window washer, her economic position in the industrial middle class led to an emphasis in education, social mobility, and resiliency. Beverly was working towards earning money ever since she was in the 10th grade. She understood that her parents were there to support her but decided to work for her own money. By the time World War II emerged, Beverly understood the significance of being independent, responsible, but also “an acquaintance with the working world” as she soon moved to California.

This would mark the beginning of a life of hard work aimed at offering contributions to society. However, Beverly grew up in an environment that made racial injustices and gender inequalities almost invisible. “In this era of racial injustices, I think I was aware of racial inequities early on. St. Louis was not integrated and the only black person I knew was Sophie, our maid.” Higher education, activism, and work really helped reveal the inequalities of life as a woman for McCarthy.

moved to Stockton in 1963
married later in her life to John Linley McCarthy

Family History

Family and community played a major role in McCarthy's life! It seems her interest for community and bonding really began with family. She enjoyed sending Christmas letters to friends and family every year and was doing it for over four decades, up until her passing.

Fitch Genetics!

A little bit of background on -Beverly's ancestry-

47% Great Britain and NW Europe- "This is the Fitch Side"
30% German- "This is my mother's side. She was a Graf."
9% Sweden- Egalitarian
7% Norway- Farmers
7% Other Regions

DNA data collected from correspondence between librarian Nicole Mountjoy and Beverly

Family pictures of McCarthy's family and family history!Source: Holt Atherton Department of Special Collections

Copy of McCarthy's birth certificateSource: Holt Atherton Department of Special Collections

College: University of California, Berkeley

Source: Holt Atherton Department of Special Collections

A part of McCarthy's interest in activism really began at Berkeley

was an active volunteer and received the alumni scholarship

McCarthy was admitted as a student in 1953 and was living away from home for the first time. This decade between the 50’s and 60’s marked a period where women were reclaiming certain spaces and developing an identity as “career women.” The influence of this phenomenon empowered many women to participate in organizations, such as the National Organization for Women (NOW) and seek equality.

She went to Stanford for graduate school

"This experience was probably the wake up call that I was a feminist."

- Beverly Fitch McCarthy, (ca. 1953)

McCarthy grew active in the student government organization on her campus. As president of the Associated Women Students, Beverly pushed for the integration of women and men’s sections in the stands at sports events. Uncomfortable experiences of gender discrimination led McCarthy to realize she was indeed a feminist. The rarity of the word in conversations around campus furthered her interest in activism but also underlined her growing awareness to inequality around women and their lives.

These are images from the CAL 1956 Year book. The page on the right shows Beverly and even offers some spotlight on her activism while at Berkeley.Source: Holt Atherton Department of Special Collections

"I was running for office in Stockton seven times before being elected to the City Council. Very few women were running for office in the second half of the 20th Century."

Images: UoP special collections archiveHolt Atherton Department of Special Collections Quote: Delivered at her CAL 50th Reunion in 2005Source Image on right: The Record

Fighting and Advocating

recognized by senators and other members of the California state legislature for...
named planned parenthood's community enrichment advocate
awarded the medal of honors award in 2009 by the San Joaquin County Commission on the Status of Women (SJCCSW) and the Veteran Feminists of America
the founder of SJCCSW in 1974--> about reclaiming spaces and celebrating women
worked tirelessly for the rights of women; worked in strengthening community ties through child care, fighting against sexual violence, etc.
for example, in 2018, Stockton City Council adopted resolution to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women = equal access to health care/ contraceptives , education, employment

National Women's Conference 1977

"...To Form A More Perfect Union..."

worked alongside feminist icons such as Betty Friedan and Gloria Steinam
conference made a big impact on the work that Beve would later do in her life!
empowering for her to be surrounded by women who shared similar feelings

Bettering the lives of women became a primary objective for McCarthy. “You grow where you are planted” are words McCarthy lived up to as she became an adult. Beverly became very active in the National Organization for Women's local chapter. She placed issues like gender inequity and violent crimes against women at the forefront of her activism.
McCarthy credits other spaces for women as part of the spark that motivated her to push into the political realm and run for offices. Being involved in the 1977 National Women’s Conference in Houston and “Being surrounded by women of like minds was a powerful torch.” This torch lit a long path of fighting and advocating, illuminating McCarthy’s subsequent and prominent position in Stockton local politics.

Left: An image from IWY Update, published in 1978 Beverly writes in the margins, "I'm in this picture." Source: Holt Atherton Department of Special Collections

"Being surrounded by women of like minds was a powerful torch."

- Beverly Fitch McCarthy, Reflecting on the N.W.C. (2016)

Left: Beverly's 1977 N.W.C identification cardRight: A thank you note from Beve's "sisters" Source: Holt Atherton Department of Special Collections

Note reads:

"Thank you for all the time, energy, and expense you gave to support and represent us."

-Your Sisters

A Patron of the Arts: Symphony Sensation

Source: Holt Atherton Department of Special Collections

was a major classical music lover, so naturally a large supporter of the arts

the opera guild and chorus president
the Stockton Symphony Association president in the 70s
over 4 decades of community service focused around her passion of classical music
honored and celebrated across numerous platforms for being a benefactor and helping contribute to the development of Stockton community
inspiring and empowering through the power of music
considered herself a history buff and valued Haggin Museum

Enthusiasm for Education

her role in shaping the education of students belonging to the Stockton Unified School District began with being the first to say a change was needed in terms of expectations and the language of the oaths
she adopted a new oath, one that focuses on the interests of tax payers rather than a militaristic one of "defense"
student achievement was Beve's main focus

Debated who should fill the school district's top positions.
Debated what is advocated in schools such as taxpayer's interests or free expression
She advocated for the teaching of patriotic songs. "each patriotic song has a history that is well worth learning."

Stocktonian of the Year, 2019

Advocacy, equality, and resiliency were always placed at the core of all efforts made in the fight for women’s’ rights.

Image Source: The Record, 2019

Celebrating Women!

McCarthy was named Stocktonian of the year in 2019
She served as presidents of clubs and organizations to reclaim spaces and fight for equal access to health care, childcare, and employment. For this reason, McCarthy was eventually named the “Stocktonian of the year” in 2019 after almost six decades of advocacy. Her remarkable efforts and activism helped develop spaces in Stockton where women felt comfortable and able to be in positions of power. Advocacy, equality, and resiliency were always placed at the core of all efforts made in the fight for women’s’ rights.

"We need to learn more from history so we do not repeat the mistakes from the past."

-McCarthy (ca.2017)

Images: Middle Top and Bottom right from The RecordImages: other images taken of the UoP Special Collections Archive/ Holt Atherton Department of Special Collections

History is not predetermined!

It is up to us to communicate, connect, and construct the life we live in order to have a better community that we share tomorrow. We have power and potential. Never be apologetic about creating inclusive spaces.

Thank you!

Source: The Record

Sources

Ancestry.com, 1940 United States Federal Census [database on-line], Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012, Year: 1940; Census Place: Pittsburg, Crawford, Kansas; Roll: m-t0627-01227; Page: 9A; Enumeration District: 19-15, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/64555807:2442?tid=&pid=&_phsrc=BPo56&_ph,tart=successSource
Beverly A. Fitch McCarthy papers, MSS 345, Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections, University of the Pacific Library.
Birtwhistle Kristen, “Heart of Stockton Feminism,” The Record, Feb. 7, 2016, https://www.recordnet.com/story/entertainment/human-interest/2016/02/07/heart-stockton-feminism/32549970007/
Leathley Aaron, "Trailblazing Community Icon Beverly Fitch McCarthy Has Died," The Record, December 23, 2021, https://www.recordnet.com/story/news/local/2021/12/23/stockton-beverly-fitch-mccarthy-has-died/9011999002/
"Community Power House Honored," The Record, February 12, 2020, https://www.recordnet.com/story/news/local/2020/02/12/community-powerhouse-honored/1718984007/
"A Dozen SJ Women to be Honored," The Record, January 11, 2018, https://www.recordnet.com/story/news/2018/01/12/a-dozen-sj-women-to/16330034007/
Ceballos Jaqui. Our Fabulous Feminists. Edited by Barbara Love and Joan Michel. Self-published, Veteran Feminists of America, Inc., 2016. https://www.veteranfeministsofamerica.org/legacy/Beverly_Fitch_McCarthy.htm
Fitch McCarthy Beverly, “Stocktonian of the Year 2019,” speech
Evans Sara. Personal Politics: The Roots of Women’s Liberation in the Civil Rights Movement and the New Left. Random House Inc., 1980, chapter one.
Daly Video Services, “Feminist, Beverly Fitch McCarthy Story,” YouTube, January 28, 2017, video, https://youtu.be/7AF5nvfLjLo
Ceballos, Jaqui. Our Fabulous Feminists. Edited by Barbara Love and Joan Michel. Self-published. Veteran Feminists of America, Inc. 2016. https://www.veteranfeministsofamerica.org/legacy/Beverly_Fitch_McCarthy.htm

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