
ARK of REFUGE,Inc.
501c3 nonprofit organization



IN
LOVING MEMORIAM
OF
ATLENA
WEST
December 20, 1935 - November 16, 2011
"Hey (Grand)ma, I love you....."
" I Love You More, baby."
- ATLENA WEST
The Buried Truth
of
the 1950's.
Atlena West
First African - American Woman
out of Louisiana to
Run for State Senate of Utah.

Walking in the Shoes of Atlena West
Born to the late Pearl and John West in Casabana , Louisiana, Atlena was the youngest of twelve children. Atlena grew up in Fryson, Louisiana and graduated from Boldger Pass Training School in 1947. She then moved to Benton, Lousiana with her Sister, Pastor Inez Ashford. Atlena drove cabs in Louisiana for two years then she moved to Salt Lake City, Utah where she worked as a community activist ,later becoming the first black woman to run for State Senate .
At the time Atlena ran, racism was thriving. Let us reflect on the 1950's
