One of the Daily Breeze’s very own is being recognized next week for her years of news coverage in San Pedro.

Staff writer Donna Littlejohn will receive a Legacy Journalism award on Thursday, March 26 at the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce Women’s History Month Celebration. Four other women will also be honored for their contributions to the community

“For more than 30 years, Donna Littlejohn has been San Pedro’s reporter of record,” chamber officials wrote in an announcement. “She doesn’t just cover San Pedro, she knows San Pedro.”

Littlejohn has been writing for the Daily Breeze since 1998. But braving hours-long Los Angeles and Long Beach harbor commission meetings to deliver coverage to readers was not new to her. She began her career as a reporter for a string of weekly publications in Culver City, then was hired at the San Pedro News-Pilot in 1981.

“I’ve covered San Pedro for many years and have seen many changes,” Littlejohn said.

She previously earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at Cal State Long Beach.

At the News-Pilot, Littlejohn wrote features, working her way up to hard news and a beat that included the Los Angeles Unified School District, politics and more. Back then, she added, there were at least a dozen writers in the newsroom covering San Pedro government and the ports — and even dedicated coverage of Wilmington.

When the News-Pilot shut down in 1998 after more than 100 years of serving the community, Littlejohn said, she was one of the few reporters transferred to its sister paper, the Daily Breeze, which is now part of the Southern California News Group.

Those moments were “headwinds in what was to be the crisis to hit local journalism,” she said.

The veteran reporter was surprised to learn she would be honored for her work during Women’s History Month, she said, and wants to shy away from the spotlight.

But Tom Bray, the senior editor for SCNG’s Los Angeles County publications, said Littlejohn deserves the spotlight.

“Donna Littlejohn has been a Daily Breeze stalwart for many years and has consistently covered San Pedro and the ports with focus and sophistication,” he said. “She richly deserves this honor.”

Since beginning her city beat, Littlejohn has “never stopped showing up for this community,” the chamber’s announcement reads. “She’s covered the stories that matter the most, with the fairness and integrity San Pedro deserves.”

Littlejohn lived all around the Los Angeles and South Bay areas before settling in San Pedro, where she currently resides. She grew up in Hollywood and Inglewood, she said, then later lived in Torrance and Long Beach.

From childhood, Littlejohn said, she realized the importance of news and keeping up with what’s going on locally — and far away.

I “grew up with local news, pretty much,” Littlejohn said. “Two newspapers were thrown on our front yard every day: the Inglewood Daily News and LA Herald Examiner; one in the morning, the other in the afternoon.”

Eventually, she put pen to paper herself and started producing local news.

“While I’d grown up in the LA area all my life — and attended college in Long Beach — I wasn’t even sure how to get to San Pedro for that first job interview,” Littlejohn said. “Bob Beck, the editor of the News-Pilot at the time, told me to just get on the 110 and drive south until it ends.”

She ultimately found her way, made it — and hasn’t looked back. Even with the constant shifts of journalism and news outlets, she’s stayed committed to keeping her community informed.

“Sadly, local news is struggling everywhere, many communities no longer even have any coverage as outlets have had to close down,” Littlejohn said. “But we keep carrying on with an amazing staff of reporters, editors and photographers to whom I’m grateful.”

The San Pedro community, meanwhile, will show its gratitude to Littlejohn and her work at the Women’s History Month celebration.

The other honorees include:

Olga Chavez, the corporate social responsibility and public relations lead for Marathon Petroleum Corporation. Chavez delivers resources to nonprofits by day, and has also helped build local community from the ground up by personally volunteering, organizing and serving organizations like the Battleship Iowa Museum, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, the Friends of the Rotary Club of Wilmington and the Long Beach Library.
Diana Nave, a community leader and environmentalist. Nave is a past president of the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council, where she worked to beautify Peck Park Canyon through native plant preservation and hosting free monthly nature walks.
Lucrecia Jacobson, a longtime volunteer with the arts nonprofit Grand Vision Foundation and retired substitute teacher. Jacobson volunteers at performances, mentors students and hosts fundraisers for Warner Grand Theatre, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the LA Harbor, the San Pedro City Ballet and more.
Lindsay Sochar, entrepreneur advocate and community leader. Sochar, who is also an artist and manager of the Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles artisan market, connects local businesses with resources and opportunities, and organizes creative-driven charitable events and disaster relief efforts.

Being among the celebrated panel, Littlejohn said, she feels she’s been the voice to amplify the contributions the fellow women have made.

“The other nominees are the ones who do the work and make the news,” Littlejohn said. “My role is just the scribe covering what they do.”

If you go

The San Pedro Chamber of Commerce Women’s History Month Celebration will take place at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26, at the Dalmatian American Club, 1639 S. Palos Verdes St., in San Pedro. Tickets are $75 for chamber members, $90 for non-members and $1,500 for table sponsors at sanpedrochamber.com.