African American Police Women (Louisville, KY)

Mrs. Fanny R. Givens and Patsy Sloan, both African Americans, were two of the four women police officers hired by the Louisville Police Department in 1930. The other two hires were Pearl Boston and Agnes L. Castle, both white.

The local newspaper reported the four women to be the first women hired on the Louisville police force, which was incorrect. Alice Dunlap had been hired in 1921, and in 1922, Bertha P. Whedbee was the first African American woman hired.

When the new administration came into office at City Hall in 1938, Givens, Sloan, Boston, and Castle were relieved of their duties.

For more see the Louisville Division of Police, by M. O. Childress, Sr.; and The Fascinating Story of Black Kentuckians, by A. A. Dunnigan. See a photo image of Fanny R. Givens at Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Great Lakes Region website.