LA's Longest-Reigning First Lady Has Metro Station Named In Her Honor

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Ethel Bradley, L.A.'s longest-reigning first lady, was honored Friday as officials dedicated the Metro Expo/La Brea rail station in her name.

Ethel Bradley was first lady during Tom Bradley's mayoral tenure, from 1973 to 1993.  She is credited with inspiring black women to improve their social, educational and economic status.

At Friday's ceremony she was also credited with helping her husband improve transportation.

"We honor Mayor Tom Bradley's legacy of improving transportation in Los Angeles by dedicating the Expo/La Brea Station to the memory of his beloved wife, Ethel Bradley," Mayor Eric Garcetti said.

"With her support, Mayor Bradley laid the foundation for the rail system we enjoy today -- and that we continue to build on to expand options for tomorrow. Together, we can connect our communities and live up to the example that the Bradleys set for all of us."

The station will now be known as the Expo/La Brea/Ethel Bradley Station.

The station serves the Metro Expo Line that runs between downtown Los Angeles and Culver City. It will soon extend to Santa Monica.

Tom Bradley was mayor from 1973 to 1993. Ethel and Tom Bradley were married in 1941.

"As Los Angeles' first African-American first lady, Ethel Bradley was a true inspiration, serving with courage, perseverance and elegance," County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas said. "I am proud that we are honoring her legacy by dedicating this station in her name."

Ethel Bradley founded a women's volunteer group known as Las Angelenas and co-founded the Black Women's Forum, a nonprofit aimed at improving the social status of black women.

She died in 2008 at age 89. Tom Bradley died in 1998.

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