robert cooper says what they did was nothing short of remarkable because they did it without political connections or business experience. >> they were females and they were black at a time when either being female or black was not things that opened doors to you. >> we were four strong black women. and i'm proud to say that because we did bring the health center in. >> reporter: cloteal and her friends gathered petitions, took their kids to countless meetings, followed guidelines, partnered with clinicians, even took classes on how to manage payrolls. and within three short years in 1969, one of the first community-run health centers in the west opened its doors. with pride, cloteal shows off the center today, where she still works five days a week. >> back in here, back this way. >> reporter: the range of services is impressive. >> this is dental. >> reporter: in all, over 21,000 patients were rely on care the west oakland health council provides, a 40-year legacy from four moms to all families. >> i really look up to her. you know? she's one of my inspirations. she always has been.

robert cooper said what they did is nothing short of remarkable, because they did it without political connections or business experience. >> they were females and black at a time when either being female or black was not things that opened doors to women. >> we were four strong black women, and i'm proud to say that. because we did bring the health center in. >> reporter: cloteal and her friends gathered petitions, took their kids to countless meetings, followed guidelines, partnered with clinicians, even took classes on how to manage payroll. within three short years, in 1969, one of the first community-run health centers in the west opened its doors. with pride, cloteal shows off the center today, where she still works five days a week. >> back in here, back this way, optometrist. >> reporter: the range of services is impressive. >> yeah, this is dental. >> reporter: in all of her 21,000 patients rely on care, the west oakland health council provides. a 40-year legacy from four moms to all families. >> i really look up to her, you know. she says one of my inspirations. she always ha

dean edell robert cooper says what they did was nothing short of remarkable because they did it without political connections or business experience. >> they were females and they were black at a time when either being female or black was not things that opened doors to you. >> we were four strong black women. and i'm proud to say that because we did bring the health center in. >> reporter: cloteal and her friends gathered petitions, took their kids to countless meetings, followed guidelines, partnered with clinicians, even took classes on how to manage payrolls and within three short years in 1969, one of the first community-run health centers in the west opened its doors. with pride, cloteal shows off the center today, where she still works five days a week. >> back in here, back this way. >> reporter: the range of services is impressive. >> this is dental. >> reporter: in all, over 21,000 patients were rely on care the west oakland health council provides, a 40-year legacy from four moms to all families. >> i really look up to her. you know? she's one of my inspirations. she always h