Midtown-Edmondson in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Violet Hill Whyte: Baltimore’s Lady Law

Baltimore Black History

Photographed By Don Morfe, February 12, 2017

1. Violet Hill Whyte: Baltimore’s Lady Law Marker

Inscription. As a teacher and mother of four, Mrs. Violet Hill Whyte of Carrollton Avenue did not fit the accepted image of a policeman in the 1930s. Regardless, on December 3, 1937, she became the city’s first African-American police officer. Whyte refused to carry a gun and earned her nickname “Lady Law” by working countless sixteen-hour days. Over her thirty-year career, she strived to improve the juvenile justice system and protect the young people of West Baltimore.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Law Enforcement • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is December 3, 1937.

Location. 39° 17.612′ N, 76° 38.933′ W. Marker is in Baltimore, Maryland. It is in Midtown-Edmondson. Marker is on North Payson Street. The marker is on a brick post at the entrance to a parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 N Payson St, Baltimore MD 21223, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Royal Theater & Pennsylvania Avenue (here, next to this marker); The Murphy Family and The Afro-American (a few steps from this marker); The Arabbers (a few steps from this marker); The Maddox Family and Time Printers (within shouting distance of this marker); Clarence and Parren Mitchell

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Lucille Clifton (within shouting distance of this marker); Mother Lange and the Oblate Sisters of Providence (within shouting distance of this marker); Lillie May Carroll Jackson & Juanita Jackson Mitchell (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baltimore.

Also see . . . Wikipedia entry for Violet Hill Whyte. ExcerptL

Whyte was appointed to the northwest district at Pennsylvania Avenue and Dolphin Street by Commissioner William Lawson. She was not given a gun. Her duties included patrolling the streets, homicide investigations, narcotics cases, assaults, cases of sexual abuse, and robberies. She was known to work undercover. Youth who lived in her district said later that she would often intervene when she saw students skipping school. Her efforts earned her the nickname "lady law." Juvenile Court Judge Charles E. Moylan Jr. described her as "a one-woman police force and a one-woman social worker combined". In 1955, she was promoted to sergeant and oversaw policewomen. She ended her career in the Western District. Before her retirement in 1967 after
Photographed By Don Morfe, February 12, 2017

2. Violet Hill Whyte: Baltimore’s Lady Law Marker
30 years of service, she was promoted to lieutenant.

(Submitted on November 23, 2019.)

Lt. Violet Hill Whyte (1897–1980) image. Click for full size.

Close up of photograph reproduced on the marker

3. Lt. Violet Hill Whyte (1897–1980)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2017, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 570 times since then and 31 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week December 1, 2019. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 19, 2017, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 3. submitted on November 23, 2019. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.