Helen Roberta MacGregor (1897-1975) was born to John Ryle MacGregor and Henrietta MacGregor of Alameda County. She graduated with a bachelor's degree and a law degree from the University of California, Berkeley in 1920 and 1922 respectively. She was one of six female students in her law school class. Her first job was as clerk of the Justice Court of Oakland Township, a position that she credits with having introduced her to the hardships placed on individuals and families living in poverty. In her early career, she also worked as secretary and law clerk to United States District Court Judge Frank H. Kerrigan. When Kerrigan died in 1935, MacGregor found a position as administrative secretary to Earl Warren. She served in this position from 1935 through 1953 during Warren's tenures as district attorney of Alameda County, Attorney General, and Governor of California. In 1953, just before Warren left for his new post on the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., MacGregor was appointed by Warren to the California Youth Authority's policy board. She also served on the Governor's Advisory Committee on Children and Youth, created in 1943 to address issues relating to what was perceived to be a rise in delinquency in the years after World War II. MacGregor's policy interests included juvenile delinquency, foster care, mental health and the treatment of offenders, and youth employment and opportunity. On a more local level, MacGregor served on the North Oakland District Council and the Oakland Council of Social Planning.
From the description of Helen R. MacGregor papers, 1927-1974 (bulk 1952-1974) (University of California, Berkeley). WorldCat record id: 25529375
