Subject: Los Angeles (Calif.) / Collection: Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection / Names: Somerville, John Alexander, 1881-1973 - UCLA Library Digital Collections Search Results

Description:: Banquet table at an anniversary celebration of Drs. John and Vada Somerville with flowers, candles, coffee urns and two cakes. This is at their home at 2401 Harvard Blvd. where the Somervilles lived from 1944 to 1950/51.
Date:: [between 1944-1950]
Resource Type:: still image
Photographer:: Gilwee, Jim
Collection:: Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections

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:: 1913
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections

Description:: Photograph appears with the article, "Rep. Diggs reiterates vow to challenge Miss. seats," Los Angeles Sentinel, 1 Dec. 1955: A1.
Date:: [1950s-1960s]
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections

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:: [1930-1989]
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections

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

Description:: The Circus Saints and Sinners Club of America is a national organization that raises money for local charities.
Date:: [1950s-1960s]
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections

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). He served on the Police Commission 1949-1953
Date:: July 1954
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections

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

Description:: Dr. John A. Somerville seated behind his desk during his campaign for Los Angeles City Council, 10th District.
Date:: [1960s]
Resource Type:: still image
Photographer:: Sheffield, Maceo B. (Maceo Bruce), 1897-1959
Collection:: Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections

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

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