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Reception for Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Somerville in the backyard of Drs. Vada and John Somerville, Los Angeles, 1950s (?)

Description:
Dr. Vada Somerville (born Vada Jetmore Watson) of Pomona graduated from USC, married dentist John Alexander Somerville (1912), was the first African American woman and the second African American person to graduate from USC School of Dentistry (1918), and was the first African American woman certified to practice dentistry in the state of California. She was a civil rights activist, highly involved in several civic and community organizations.
Date:
[1950s (?)]
Resource Type:
still image
Photographer:
Sheffield, Maceo B. (Maceo Bruce), 1897-1959
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Reception for Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Somerville in the backyard of Drs. Vada and John Somerville, Los Angeles, 1950s (?)

Prominent African American Angelinos attending a party at a private home, Los Angeles, 1950s

Description:
Dr. Vada Somerville (born Vada Jetmore Watson) of Pomona graduated from USC, married dentist John Alexander Somerville (1912), was the first African American woman and the second African American person to graduate from USC School of Dentistry (1918), and was the first African American woman certified to practice dentistry in the state of California. She was a civil rights activist, highly involved in several civic and community organizations.
Date:
[1950s]
Resource Type:
still image
Photographer:
Smith, Irving C.
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Prominent African American Angelinos attending a party at a private home, Los Angeles, 1950s

Fiftieth wedding anniversary of Drs. John and Vada Somerville, Los Angeles, 1962

Description:
Dr. John Somerville, born in Jamaica, was the first black graduate of USC School of Dentistry (1907). He married Vada Jetmore Watson (1912), who also became a dentist. He built the Somerville Hotel (1928), was instrumental in the founding of the Los Angeles chapter of NAACP (1914), and served on the Police Commission 1949-1953.
Date:
October 16, 1962
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Fiftieth wedding anniversary of Drs. John and Vada Somerville, Los Angeles, 1962

Women who backed Dr. John A. Somerville's candidacy for City Council, Los Angeles, 1950s-1960s

Description:
Dr. Vada Somerville (born Vada Jetmore Watson) of Pomona graduated from USC, married dentist John Alexander Somerville (1912), was the first African American woman and the second African American person to graduate from USC School of Dentistry (1918), and was the first African American woman certified to practice dentistry in the state of California. She was a civil rights activist, highly involved in several civic and community organizations.
Date:
[1950s-1960s]
Resource Type:
still image
Photographer:
Smith, Irving C.
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Women who backed Dr. John A. Somerville's candidacy for City Council, Los Angeles, 1950s-1960s

Meeting in a home to plan a hurricane relief effort for Jamaica, Los Angeles, 1951

Description:
Dr. Vada Somerville (born Vada Jetmore Watson) of Pomona graduated from USC, married dentist John Alexander Somerville (1912), was the first African American woman and the second African American person to graduate from USC School of Dentistry (1918), and was the first African American woman certified to practice dentistry in the state of California. She was a civil rights activist, highly involved in several civic and community organizations.
Date:
September 1951
Resource Type:
still image
Photographer:
Douglas, Robert R.
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Meeting in a home to plan a hurricane relief effort for Jamaica, Los Angeles, 1951

Dr. Vada Somerville and Dr. Harold Kingsley at a dinner event, probably for Pilgrim House, 1950s

Description:
Dr. Vada Somerville (born Vada Jetmore Watson) of Pomona graduated from USC, married dentist John Alexander Somerville (1912), was the first African American woman and the second African American person to graduate from USC School of Dentistry (1918), and was the first African American woman certified to practice dentistry in the state of California. She was a civil rights activist, highly involved in several civic and community organizations.
Date:
[1950s-1960s]
Resource Type:
still image
Photographer:
Olmstead, Gilbert D. (Gilbert Dwuyiu), 1914-1985
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Dr. Vada Somerville and Dr. Harold Kingsley at a dinner event, probably for Pilgrim House, 1950s

Honorary officer of British Order document, 1953

Description:
Dr. John Somerville, born in Jamaica, was the first black graduate of USC School of Dentistry (1907). He married Vada Jetmore Watson (1912), who also became a dentist. He built the Somerville Hotel (1928), was instrumental in the founding of the Los Angeles chapter of NAACP (1914), and served on the Police Commission 1949-1953.
Date:
November 2, 1953
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Honorary officer of British Order document, 1953

Reception for Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Somerville hosted by Drs. Vada and John Somerville, Los Angeles,1950s (?)

Description:
Dr. Vada Somerville (born Vada Jetmore Watson) of Pomona graduated from USC, married dentist John Alexander Somerville (1912), was the first African American woman and the second African American person to graduate from USC School of Dentistry (1918), and was the first African American woman certified to practice dentistry in the state of California. She was a civil rights activist, highly involved in several civic and community organizations.
Date:
[1940s-1950s]
Resource Type:
still image
Photographer:
McLain's Photo Service (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Reception for Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Somerville hosted by Drs. Vada and John Somerville, Los Angeles,1950s (?)

Dr. Vada Somerville and Dr. Harold Kingsley at a dinner event, probably for Pilgrim House, 1950s

Description:
Dr. Vada Somerville (born Vada Jetmore Watson) of Pomona graduated from USC, married dentist John Alexander Somerville (1912), was the first African American woman and the second African American person to graduate from USC School of Dentistry (1918), and was the first African American woman certified to practice dentistry in the state of California. She was a civil rights activist, highly involved in several civic and community organizations.
Date:
[1950s]
Resource Type:
still image
Photographer:
Sheffield Photo
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Dr. Vada Somerville and Dr. Harold Kingsley at a dinner event, probably for Pilgrim House, 1950s

Dr. Vada Somerville and Bill Watkins look at a document, Los Angeles, 1950s

Description:
Dr. Vada Somerville (born Vada Jetmore Watson) of Pomona graduated from USC, married dentist John Alexander Somerville (1912), was the first African American woman and the second African American person to graduate from USC School of Dentistry (1918), and was the first African American woman certified to practice dentistry in the state of California. She was a civil rights activist, highly involved in several civic and community organizations.
Date:
[1950s]
Resource Type:
still image
Photographer:
Smith, Irving C.
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Dr. Vada Somerville and Bill Watkins look at a document, Los Angeles, 1950s

Dr. John A. Somerville at a political meeting with Adlai E. Stevenson and others, 1950s

Description:
Adlai Ewing Stevenson was an American lawyer, politician, and diplomat, noted for his intellectual demeanor, eloquent public speaking, and promotion of progressive causes in the Democratic Party. He received the Democratic Party's nomination for president in the 1952 and 1956 elections.
Date:
[1950s]
Resource Type:
still image
Photographer:
Smith, Irving C.
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Dr. John A. Somerville at a political meeting with Adlai E. Stevenson and others, 1950s

Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity members at a national boulé meeting, 1950s

Description:
Dr. John Somerville, born in Jamaica, was the first black graduate of USC School of Dentistry (1907). He married Vada Jetmore Watson (1912), who also became a dentist. He built the Somerville Hotel (1928), was instrumental in the founding of the Los Angeles chapter of NAACP (1914), and served on the Police Commission 1949-1953.
Date:
[1950s]
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity members at a national boulé meeting, 1950s

Drs. Vada and John Somerville with others at a club, Los Angeles, 1950s-1960s

Description:
Dr. Vada Somerville (born Vada Jetmore Watson) of Pomona graduated from USC, married dentist John Alexander Somerville (1912), was the first African American woman and the second African American person to graduate from USC School of Dentistry (1918), and was the first African American woman certified to practice dentistry in the state of California. She was a civil rights activist, highly involved in several civic and community organizations.
Date:
[1950s-1960s]
Resource Type:
still image
Photographer:
Simpson, T. J.
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Drs. Vada and John Somerville with others at a club, Los Angeles, 1950s-1960s

Fiftieth wedding anniversary of Drs. John and Vada Somerville, Los Angeles, 1962

Description:
Dr. John Somerville, born in Jamaica, was the first black graduate of USC School of Dentistry (1907). He married Vada Jetmore Watson (1912), who also became a dentist. He built the Somerville Hotel (1928), was instrumental in the founding of the Los Angeles chapter of NAACP (1914), and served on the Police Commission 1949-1953.
Date:
October 16, 1962
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Fiftieth wedding anniversary of Drs. John and Vada Somerville, Los Angeles, 1962

R. C. O. Benjamin and Dr. Monroe Majors portrayed as intellectuals, circa 1880-1900

Description:
Born on St. Kitts, R. C. O. (Robert Charles O'Hara) Benjamin attended Trinity College in Oxford, Virginia, became a U. S. citizen in the 1870s, taught school in Kentucky, was a lawyer and may have been admitted to the bar in 12 states, was a journalist, author, and poet, a civil rights activist and a public speaker. He attained many other achievements. He may have been the first person of African descent to pass the bar in California. He was murdered in 1900 in Lexington while helping blacks to register to vote.
Date:
[1880-1900]
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
R. C. O. Benjamin and Dr. Monroe Majors portrayed as intellectuals, circa 1880-1900

Drs. John and Vada Somerville celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary with Doris Howard, Los Angeles, 1962

Description:
Dr. Vada Somerville (born Vada Jetmore Watson) of Pomona graduated from USC, married dentist John Alexander Somerville (1912), was the first African American woman and the second African American person to graduate from USC School of Dentistry (1918), and was the first African American woman certified to practice dentistry in the state of California. She was a civil rights activist, highly involved in several civic and community organizations.
Date:
October 16, 1962
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Drs. John and Vada Somerville celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary with Doris Howard, Los Angeles, 1962

Noble Johnson, 1915-1920

Description:
Noble Johnson was a character actor in cinema, one of the few African Americans in the field during the studio era. A childhood friend of Lon Chaney, Johnson followed him into the industry in 1915. He was an extra in D.W. Griffith’s Intolerance (1916) as a Babylonian soldier. Because of his large size 6'2″, 215 lbs., Johnson was often cast in key character roles representing not just African Americans, but Native Americans, Asians, Arabians, and Pacific Islanders. Johnson founded Lincoln Motion Picture Company, the first American studio that produced “race” films, pictures for African Americans, exclusively, from 1916 to 1923. He continued to work in the sound era, retiring at the age of 69.
Date:
[1915-1920]
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Noble Johnson, 1915-1920

Drs. Vada and John Somerville with twenty-six others at an unidentified event, Los Angeles, 1950s-1960s

Description:
Dr. Vada Somerville (born Vada Jetmore Watson) of Pomona graduated from USC, married dentist John Alexander Somerville (1912), was the first African American woman and the second African American person to graduate from USC School of Dentistry (1918), and was the first African American woman certified to practice dentistry in the state of California. She was a civil rights activist, highly involved in several civic and community organizations.
Date:
[1950s-1960s]
Resource Type:
still image
Photographer:
Adams, Harry H., 1918-1988
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Drs. Vada and John Somerville with twenty-six others at an unidentified event, Los Angeles, 1950s-1960s

Fiftieth wedding anniversary of Drs. John and Vada Somerville, Los Angeles, 1962

Description:
Dr. John Somerville, born in Jamaica, was the first black graduate of USC School of Dentistry (1907). He married Vada Jetmore Watson (1912), who also became a dentist. He built the Somerville Hotel (1928), was instrumental in the founding of the Los Angeles chapter of NAACP (1914), and served on the Police Commission 1949-1953.
Date:
October 16, 1962
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Fiftieth wedding anniversary of Drs. John and Vada Somerville, Los Angeles, 1962

Dr. John Alexander Somerville, 1950s-1960s

Description:
Dr. John Somerville, born in Jamaica was the first black graduate of USC School of Dentistry (1907). He married Vada Jetmore Watson (1912), who also became a dentist. He built the Somerville Hotel (1928), was instrumental in the founding of the Los Angeles chapter of NAACP (1914), and served on the Police Commission 1949-1953.
Date:
[1940-1960]
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Dr. John Alexander Somerville, 1950s-1960s

Dr. John A. Somerville and three couples standing in a yard, 1950s

Description:
Dr. John Somerville, born in Jamaica, was the first black graduate of USC School of Dentistry (1907). He married Vada Jetmore Watson (1912), who also became a dentist. He built the Somerville Hotel (1928), was instrumental in the founding of the Los Angeles chapter of NAACP (1914), and served on the Police Commission 1949-1953.
Date:
[1950s]
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Dr. John A. Somerville and three couples standing in a yard, 1950s

Dr. John A. Somerville at a gathering with 13 other men and women, 1950s

Description:
Dr. John Somerville, born in Jamaica, was the first black graduate of USC School of Dentistry (1907). He married Vada Jetmore Watson (1912), who also became a dentist. He built the Somerville Hotel (1928), was instrumental in the founding of the Los Angeles chapter of NAACP (1914), and served on the Police Commission 1949-1953.
Date:
[1950s]
Resource Type:
still image
Photographer:
Boucher, Hal
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Dr. John A. Somerville at a gathering with 13 other men and women, 1950s

Dr. John A. Somerville with two unidentified men, 1950s

Description:
Dr. John Somerville, born in Jamaica, was the first black graduate of USC School of Dentistry (1907). He married Vada Jetmore Watson (1912), who also became a dentist. He built the Somerville Hotel (1928), was instrumental in the founding of the Los Angeles chapter of NAACP (1914), and served on the Police Commission 1949-1953.
Date:
[1950s]
Resource Type:
still image
Photographer:
Maxon
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Dr. John A. Somerville with two unidentified men, 1950s

Garden party at the Somerville residence for members of the Church of Christian Fellowship, Los Angeles, 1947

Description:
Palmer van Gundy was an active member of the Church of Christian Fellowship, the Executive Director of the local, Los Angeles FEPC (Fair Employment Practice Committee) in 1947, involved in local church music events, and was a frequent contributor to the letters to the editor section of the Los Angeles Sentinel newspaper from 1967 to 1986.
Date:
July 1947
Resource Type:
still image
Photographer:
McLain's Photo Service (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Garden party at the Somerville residence for members of the Church of Christian Fellowship, Los Angeles, 1947

Reception for Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Somerville at the residence of Drs. Vada and John Somerville, Los Angeles, 1950s (?)

Description:
Dr. Vada Somerville (born Vada Jetmore Watson) of Pomona graduated from USC, married dentist John Alexander Somerville (1912), was the first African American woman and the second African American person to graduate from USC School of Dentistry (1918), and was the first African American woman certified to practice dentistry in the state of California. She was a civil rights activist, highly involved in several civic and community organizations.
Date:
[1950s (?)]
Resource Type:
still image
Photographer:
Sheffield, Maceo B. (Maceo Bruce), 1897-1959
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Reception for Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Somerville at the residence of Drs. Vada and John Somerville, Los Angeles, 1950s (?)

Thirty-fifth wedding anniversary of Drs. John and Vada Somerville, Los Angeles, 1947

Description:
Dr. John Somerville, born in Jamaica, was the first black graduate of USC School of Dentistry (1907). He married Vada Jetmore Watson (1912), who also became a dentist. He built the Somerville Hotel (1928), was instrumental in the founding of the Los Angeles chapter of NAACP (1914), and served on the Police Commission 1949-1953.
Date:
October 16, 1947
Resource Type:
still image
Photographer:
Gilwee, Jim
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Thirty-fifth wedding anniversary of Drs. John and Vada Somerville, Los Angeles, 1947

Dr. Vada Somerville receives an award from County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn, Los Angeles, 1960s

Description:
Dr. Vada Somerville (born Vada Jetmore Watson) of Pomona graduated from USC, married dentist John Alexander Somerville (1912), was the first African American woman and the second African American person to graduate from USC School of Dentistry (1918), and was the first African American woman certified to practice dentistry in the state of California. She was a civil rights activist, highly involved in several civic and community organizations.
Date:
[1960s]
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Dr. Vada Somerville receives an award from County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn, Los Angeles, 1960s

Thirty-fifth wedding anniversary of Drs. John and Vada Somerville, Los Angeles, 1947

Description:
Dr. John Somerville, born in Jamaica, was the first black graduate of USC School of Dentistry (1907). He married Vada Jetmore Watson (1912), who also became a dentist. He built the Somerville Hotel (1928), was instrumental in the founding of the Los Angeles chapter of NAACP (1914), and served on the Police Commission 1949-1953.
Date:
October 16, 1947
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Thirty-fifth wedding anniversary of Drs. John and Vada Somerville, Los Angeles, 1947

Drs. John and Vada Somerville with a man and woman in a home, 1950s-1960s

Description:
Dr. John Somerville, born in Jamaica, was the first black graduate of USC School of Dentistry (1907). He married Vada Jetmore Watson (1912), who also became a dentist. He built the Somerville Hotel (1928), was instrumental in the founding of the Los Angeles chapter of NAACP (1914), and served on the Police Commission 1949-1953.
Date:
[1950s-1960s]
Resource Type:
still image
Photographer:
Smith, Irving C.
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Drs. John and Vada Somerville with a man and woman in a home, 1950s-1960s

Dr. John A. Somerville at a gathering in a garden, 1950s

Description:
Dr. John Somerville, born in Jamaica, was the first black graduate of USC School of Dentistry (1907). He married Vada Jetmore Watson (1912), who also became a dentist. He built the Somerville Hotel (1928), was instrumental in the founding of the Los Angeles chapter of NAACP (1914), and served on the Police Commission 1949-1953.
Date:
[1950s]
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Dr. John A. Somerville at a gathering in a garden, 1950s

Dr. John A. Somerville, and Lester B. Granger, Los Angeles, 1950s

Description:
Dr. John Somerville, born in Jamaica, was the first black graduate of USC School of Dentistry (1907). He married Vada Jetmore Watson (1912), who also became a dentist. He built the Somerville Hotel (1928), was instrumental in the founding of the Los Angeles chapter of NAACP (1914), and served on the Police Commission 1949-1953.
Date:
[1950s]
Resource Type:
still image
Photographer:
Smith, Irving C.
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Dr. John A. Somerville, and Lester B. Granger, Los Angeles, 1950s

Dr. John A. Somerville, John Anson Ford, Robert Z. Hardon, Thomas Newton and Wallace Braden, Los Angeles, circa 1948

Description:
Dr. John Somerville, born in Jamaica, was the first black graduate of USC School of Dentistry (1907). He married Vada Jetmore Watson (1912), who also became a dentist. He built the Somerville Hotel (1928), was instrumental in the founding of the Los Angeles chapter of NAACP (1914), and served on the Police Commission 1949-1953.
Date:
[circa 1948]
Resource Type:
still image
Photographer:
Smith, A. Ellis
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Dr. John A. Somerville, John Anson Ford, Robert Z. Hardon, Thomas Newton and Wallace Braden, Los Angeles, circa 1948

William Roberts, A. J. Roberts and Frederick Roberts on the steps of A. J. Roberts son & Co funeral home, Los Angeles, 1905-1915

Description:
A. J. (Andrew Jackson) Roberts attended Wilberforce University and Oberlin College. After graduation he taught school, married Ellen Hemings (a granddaughter of Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson) in Chillicothe, Ohio, and moved to California as an early pioneer in 1888. He founded a transfer and trucking business in 1905, sold it and founded the A. J. Roberts and Sons mortuary. The firm began at 12th and Los Angeles, moved to 1119-1121 S. Los Angeles, and to 1415 S. Central Avenue in 1922.
Date:
[circa 1905-1915]
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
William Roberts, A. J. Roberts and Frederick Roberts on the steps of A. J. Roberts son & Co funeral home, Los Angeles, 1905-1915

Dr. Vada Somerville, Dr. Harold Kingsley, and Clarence Muse at a dinner event, probably for Pilgrim House, 1950s

Description:
Dr. Vada Somerville (born Vada Jetmore Watson) of Pomona graduated from USC, married dentist John Alexander Somerville (1912), was the first African American woman and the second African American person to graduate from USC School of Dentistry (1918), and was the first African American woman certified to practice dentistry in the state of California. She was a civil rights activist, highly involved in several civic and community organizations.
Date:
[1950s]
Resource Type:
still image
Photographer:
Sheffield Photo
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Dr. Vada Somerville, Dr. Harold Kingsley, and Clarence Muse at a dinner event, probably for Pilgrim House, 1950s

Robert James Boyd, circa 1890s

Description:
Robert James Boyd was born in North Carolina. He married Emma P. Barrett in Los Angeles and in 1910 they lived at 1242 El Molino (now 1242 Kenmore Ave.) in Los Angeles, next to 1244 El Molino, where Emma had lived with her family before she was married from as early as 1900. By 1917, he is reported as working in a barbershop in Riverside city directories from 1917 to 1947. According to Miriam Matthews, he owned the barbershop. Robert and Emma had four children: Barrett, Willis, Helen and Edward.
Date:
[1890-1900]
Resource Type:
still image
Photographer:
Sunbeam Art Studio
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Robert James Boyd, circa 1890s

Drs. John and Vada Somerville with a man and woman in a home, 1950s-1960s

Description:
Dr. John Somerville, born in Jamaica, was the first black graduate of USC School of Dentistry (1907). He married Vada Jetmore Watson (1912), who also became a dentist. He built the Somerville Hotel (1928), was instrumental in the founding of the Los Angeles chapter of NAACP (1914), and served on the Police Commission 1949-1953.
Date:
[1950s-1960s]
Resource Type:
still image
Photographer:
Smith, Irving C.
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Drs. John and Vada Somerville with a man and woman in a home, 1950s-1960s

Rex Ingram, 1936

Description:
Rex Ingram graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in medicine before launching a brilliant acting career which spanned 50 years. Ingram also appeared on the Broadway stage and in television productions, bringing skill and dignity to every performance. He is probably best remembered for his portrayal of Jim, the fugitive slave, opposite Mickey Rooney in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1939). He later opened the Club Alabam in the Dunbar Hotel on Central Avenue in Los Angeles, California.
Date:
1936
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Rex Ingram, 1936

Fiftieth wedding anniversary of Drs. John and Vada Somerville, Los Angeles, 1962

Description:
Dr. Vada Somerville (born Vada Jetmore Watson) of Pomona graduated from USC, married dentist John Alexander Somerville (1912), was the first African American woman and the second African American person to graduate from USC School of Dentistry (1918), and was the first African American woman certified to practice dentistry in the state of California. She was a civil rights activist, highly involved in several civic and community organizations.
Date:
October 16, 1962
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Fiftieth wedding anniversary of Drs. John and Vada Somerville, Los Angeles, 1962

Fiftieth wedding anniversary of Drs. John and Vada Somerville, Los Angeles, 1962

Description:
Dr. John Somerville, born in Jamaica, was the first black graduate of USC School of Dentistry (1907). He married Vada Jetmore Watson (1912), who also became a dentist. He built the Somerville Hotel (1928), was instrumental in the founding of the Los Angeles chapter of NAACP (1914), and served on the Police Commission 1949-1953.
Date:
October 16, 1962
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Fiftieth wedding anniversary of Drs. John and Vada Somerville, Los Angeles, 1962

Fiftieth wedding anniversary of Drs. John and Vada Somerville, Los Angeles, 1962

Description:
Dr. Vada Somerville (born Vada Jetmore Watson) of Pomona graduated from USC, married dentist John Alexander Somerville (1912), was the first African American woman and the second African American person to graduate from USC School of Dentistry (1918), and was the first African American woman certified to practice dentistry in the state of California. She was a civil rights activist, highly involved in several civic and community organizations.
Date:
October 16, 1962
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Fiftieth wedding anniversary of Drs. John and Vada Somerville, Los Angeles, 1962

Reception for Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Somerville at the home of Drs. Vada and John Somerville, Los Angeles, 1950s (?)

Description:
Dr. Vada Somerville (born Vada Jetmore Watson) of Pomona graduated from USC, married dentist John Alexander Somerville (1912), was the first African American woman and the second African American person to graduate from USC School of Dentistry (1918), and was the first African American woman certified to practice dentistry in the state of California. She was a civil rights activist, highly involved in several civic and community organizations.
Date:
[1950s (?)]
Resource Type:
still image
Photographer:
Sheffield, Maceo B. (Maceo Bruce), 1897-1959
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Reception for Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Somerville at the home of Drs. Vada and John Somerville, Los Angeles, 1950s (?)

Dr. Vada Somerville and Bill Watkins look at a document, Los Angeles, 1950s

Description:
Dr. Vada Somerville (born Vada Jetmore Watson) of Pomona graduated from USC, married dentist John Alexander Somerville (1912), was the first African American woman and the second African American person to graduate from USC School of Dentistry (1918), and was the first African American woman certified to practice dentistry in the state of California. She was a civil rights activist, highly involved in several civic and community organizations.
Date:
[1950s]
Resource Type:
still image
Photographer:
Smith, Irving C.
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Dr. Vada Somerville and Bill Watkins look at a document, Los Angeles, 1950s

Burton W. Chase, Faustina Johnson, Dr. Vada Somerville, Kenneth Hahn, and Charles Antis at Will Rogers Park, Watts (Los Angeles), 1955

Description:
Dr. Vada Somerville (born Vada Jetmore Watson) of Pomona graduated from USC, married dentist John Alexander Somerville (1912), was the first African American woman and the second African American person to graduate from USC School of Dentistry (1918), and was the first African American woman certified to practice dentistry in the state of California. She was a civil rights activist, highly involved in several civic and community organizations.
Date:
June 4, 1955
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Burton W. Chase, Faustina Johnson, Dr. Vada Somerville, Kenneth Hahn, and Charles Antis at Will Rogers Park, Watts (Los Angeles), 1955

Drs. John and Vada Somerville standing beside a car, 1930s

Description:
Dr. John Somerville, born in Jamaica, was the first black graduate of USC School of Dentistry (1907). He married Vada Jetmore Watson (1912), who also became a dentist. He built the Somerville Hotel (1928), was instrumental in the founding of the Los Angeles chapter of NAACP (1914), and served on the Police Commission 1949-1953.
Date:
[1930s]
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Drs. John and Vada Somerville standing beside a car, 1930s

Fiftieth wedding anniversary of Drs. John and Vada Somerville, Los Angeles, 1962

Description:
Dr. John Somerville, born in Jamaica, was the first black graduate of USC School of Dentistry (1907). He married Vada Jetmore Watson (1912), who also became a dentist. He built the Somerville Hotel (1928), was instrumental in the founding of the Los Angeles chapter of NAACP (1914), and served on the Police Commission 1949-1953.
Date:
October 16, 1962
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Fiftieth wedding anniversary of Drs. John and Vada Somerville, Los Angeles, 1962

Reception for Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Somerville at the home of Drs. Vada and John Somerville, Los Angeles, 1950s (?)

Description:
Dr. Vada Somerville (born Vada Jetmore Watson) of Pomona graduated from USC, married dentist John Alexander Somerville (1912), was the first African American woman and the second African American person to graduate from USC School of Dentistry (1918), and was the first African American woman certified to practice dentistry in the state of California. She was a civil rights activist, highly involved in several civic and community organizations.
Date:
[1950s-1960s]
Resource Type:
still image
Photographer:
Sheffield, Maceo B. (Maceo Bruce), 1897-1959
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Reception for Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Somerville at the home of Drs. Vada and John Somerville, Los Angeles, 1950s (?)

Lorenzo Bowdoin with Theresa Lindsay receiving an award from the Women's Sunday Morning Breakfast Club, Los Angeles, 1962

Description:
Lorenzo Bowdoin holds a book and Theresa Lindsay holds his awards when he was honored by Women's Sunday Morning Breakfast Club for his contributions to the community for the past 50 years at its "This is Your Life" program Sunday. Lindsay was president of the club.
Date:
November 11, 1962
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Lorenzo Bowdoin with Theresa Lindsay receiving an award from the Women's Sunday Morning Breakfast Club, Los Angeles, 1962

Bowdoin family, Los Angeles, circa 1940

Description:
Lorenzo Bowdoin was a Los Angeles businessman, civic leader, philanthropist and NAACP leader. One of the first three black clerks hired by the Los Angeles Post Office in 1906, he worked there for 38 years and improved hiring and promotion policies for blacks. He was one of the organizers of Angelus Mortuary (1925) and was the treasurer for many years. He was also a member of the board of directors of the Haitian Coffee Co. He was active in many civic organizations including the Metropolitan YMCA.
Date:
[circa 1940]
Resource Type:
still image
Photographer:
Cloud's Studio, L. A.
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Bowdoin family, Los Angeles, circa 1940