It's A Small World -- Tony Award-Winner's Mother Was a Seattle Policewoman

Lillian Mitchell became Seattle's first African American policewoman when she joined the Seattle Police Department in 1955. In addition to being a pioneer in the police world, she was also the mother of actor/singer Brian Stokes Mitchell, who won a Tony Award in 2000 for Kiss Me, Kate.


In the photo above, Lillian Mitchell (left) appears as one of only two policewomen in her academy class in 1956; the other was Karen Ejde.

Lillian Mitchell (left) is seen riding in a 1950s-era patrol car with Policewoman Helen Karas. Photos courtesy of the Seattle Police Department.