She co-founded Allensworth, California with her husband, after a series of events, including the Great Depression and World War II, there was a wave of residents who moved out of the area.

[2][3] Allen and Josephine founded Allensworth, California,[2] a place for Blacks to live free of discrimination in a town that they governed.

[4] Ranchers, farmers, skilled workers, teachers, and business people were lured to the town in south Tulare County, California.

The Great Depression and World War II drew people to places with greater opportunities.

[4] Wishing to maintain the historic town, supporters lobbied to make the area a park.

Governor Ronald Reagan signed the legislation to make a park from some of the land in 1973.

It was updated in 1985[2][5] from funding attained from historic development section of the California Parks and Recreation Facilities Act of 1984.

[3] In 1922, Leavell moved to Los Angeles to live with her daughter, Nella, who was married to Louis Blogett.

[2] As a resident in Los Angeles, Leavell fought for racial integration in swimming pools and other venues.