Search

Browse items

–

Current results range from 1750 to 2018

View distribution

Search Constraints

You searched for: Collection OpenUCLA Collections ✖Remove constraint Collection: OpenUCLA Collections Collection Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection ✖Remove constraint Collection: Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
Start Over

1599 Catalog Results

Number of results to display per page
View results as:
List Created with Sketch. List View List Gallery Created with Sketch. Gallery View Gallery

Search Results

Dr. Alva Curtis Garrott family and others at the "tent house," Glendale, circa 1907

Description:
Lillie Garrott (former Lillie Dejarnette / De Jarnette), wife of Dr. Alva Curtis Garrott (probably, left), with her children Miriam Garrott (holding baseball bat), Alva Garrott (seated, left), and Robert Garrott (seated, right) in front of the temporary "tent house" with six other children. Three of the girls hold tennis racquets.
Date:
[circa 1907]
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Dr. Alva Curtis Garrott family and others at the "tent house," Glendale, circa 1907

Drawing of Estevanico, a 16th century African explorer, by Sam Patrick, circa 1969

Description:
Samuel James Patrick began his art studies in Philadelphia. By 1925 he had moved to Los Angeles and enrolled at the Otis Art Institute. He was then a staff artist at the Los Angeles Times for over 40 years. He provided the illustrations for the book "They Had a Dream" (1970) by George Reasons.
Date:
[circa 1969]
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Drawing of Estevanico, a 16th century African explorer, by Sam Patrick, circa 1969

Drawing of York, a late 18th-early 19th century African American explorer, by Sam Patrick, circa 1969

Description:
Samuel James Patrick began his art studies in Philadelphia. By 1925 he had moved to Los Angeles and enrolled at the Otis Art Institute. He was then a staff artist at the Los Angeles Times for over 40 years. He provided the illustrations for the book "They Had a Dream" (1970) by George Reasons.
Date:
[circa 1969]
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Drawing of York, a late 18th-early 19th century African American explorer, by Sam Patrick, circa 1969

Dr. Dorothy Height, Dr. Vada Somerville, Juanita Miller, Louise Grooms, Eunice H. Carter, Mamie Davis and others at a gathering, 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
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Dr. Dorothy Height, Dr. Vada Somerville, Juanita Miller, Louise Grooms, Eunice H. Carter, Mamie Davis and others at a gathering, Los Angeles, 1950s

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 Dr. Ruth Temple at a gathering, 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 Dr. Ruth Temple at a gathering, 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 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 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 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 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 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

Dr. John A. Somerville at the Los Angeles inspection of the Los Angeles-based auxiliary police, Los Angeles, 1954

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
Dr. John A. Somerville at the Los Angeles inspection of the Los Angeles-based auxiliary police, Los Angeles, 1954

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

Dr. John A. Somerville with an unidentified man, 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 with an unidentified man, 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:
Douglas, Bob
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Dr. John A. Somerville with two unidentified men, 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

Dr. John Somerville with others having dinner at a hotel, 1940s-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:
[1940s-1950s]
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Dr. John Somerville with others having dinner at a hotel, 1940s-1950s

Dr. R. Stillman Smith and Cynthiabelle Gordon Smith on their wedding day at the Somerville home, 1947

Description:
Cynthiabelle Gordon Smith was born Cynthiabelle Black in Americus, Georgia. Her father was Alfred Black and her brother was Junior G. Black. She married the dentist, Dr. Isadore C. Mitchell (April 30, 1925). Shortly after, he completed dental school at Howard University and then moved to Los Angeles. In 1934, she moved to Washington, D.C. seeking work, and divorced Mitchell in 1936. In 1937 she was working for the U. S. Public Health Service in Washington, D. C. She married the physician Dr. Wilbur Gordon (possibly in 1942) and was widowed. She married Dr. R. Stillman Smith in 1947.
Date:
[1947]
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Dr. R. Stillman Smith and Cynthiabelle Gordon Smith on their wedding day at the Somerville home, 1947

Dr. R. Stillman Smith and Cynthiabelle Gordon Smith on their wedding day at the Somerville home, Los Angeles, 1947

Description:
Cynthiabelle Gordon Smith was born Cynthiabelle Black in Americus, Georgia. Her father was Alfred Black and her brother was Junior G. Black. She married the dentist, Dr. Isadore C. Mitchell (April 30, 1925). Shortly after, he completed dental school at Howard University and then moved to Los Angeles. In 1934, she moved to Washington, D.C. seeking work, and divorced Mitchell in 1936. In 1937 she was working for the U. S. Public Health Service in Washington, D. C. She married the physician Dr. Wilbur Gordon (possibly in 1942) and was widowed. She married Dr. R. Stillman Smith in 1947.
Date:
[1947]
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Dr. R. Stillman Smith and Cynthiabelle Gordon Smith on their wedding day at the Somerville home, Los Angeles, 1947

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

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

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

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

Drs. John A. Somerville and Vada Somerville at host Ursula Murrell, Carol Brice, and Reverend George Garner, Los Angeles, 1944-1951

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:
[1944-1951]
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Drs. John A. Somerville and Vada Somerville at host Ursula Murrell, Carol Brice, and Reverend George Garner, Los Angeles, 1944-1951

Drs. Vada and John Somerville and Gilbert Lindsay greet Daisy Lampkin at an airport, Los Angeles, 1954 (?)

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:
[1954 (?)]
Resource Type:
still image
Photographer:
Simpson, T. J.
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Drs. Vada and John Somerville and Gilbert Lindsay greet Daisy Lampkin at an airport, Los Angeles, 1954 (?)

Drs. Vada and John Somerville holding a gathering in their backyard, 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
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Drs. Vada and John Somerville holding a gathering in their backyard, Los Angeles, 1950s-1960s

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

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

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. 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. 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

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 appointed to the Commission on Human Relations by Kenneth Hahn, Los Angeles, 1959 (?)

Description:
Kenneth Hahn (1920–1997) was a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for forty years, from 1952 to 1992. Hahn was on the Los Angeles City Council from 1947 to 1952. He was an ardent supporter of civil rights throughout the 1960s, and met Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1961.
Date:
[1959]
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Dr. Vada Somerville appointed to the Commission on Human Relations by Kenneth Hahn, Los Angeles, 1959 (?)

Dr. Vada Somerville at a gathering of the Links chapter in Phoenix, 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:
Crile Studios (Phoenix, Ariz.)
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Dr. Vada Somerville at a gathering of the Links chapter in Phoenix, 1950s

Dr. Vada Somerville, circa 1940s

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:
[1940-1950]
Resource Type:
still image
Photographer:
Cutler, George M. (George Miles), 1901-1949
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Dr. Vada Somerville, circa 1940s

Dr. Vada Somerville, circa 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:
[circa 1950s]
Resource Type:
still image
Photographer:
Alexander, Elson
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Dr. Vada Somerville, circa 1950s

Dr. Vada Somerville, circa 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:
1943
Resource Type:
still image
Photographer:
Jackson, Vera, 1911-1999
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Dr. Vada Somerville, circa 1950s

Dr. Vada Somerville conferring with Eleanor Roosevelt at a reception in the Somerville home, Los Angeles, 1950

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:
January 17-18, 1950
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Dr. Vada Somerville conferring with Eleanor Roosevelt at a reception in the Somerville home, Los Angeles, 1950

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

Dr. Vada Somerville honored at People's Independent Church of Christ, 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:
McLain's Photo Service (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Dr. Vada Somerville honored at People's Independent Church of Christ, Los Angeles, 1950s

Dr. Vada Somerville, Kenneth Hahn, a naval officer and another woman at the Second Baptist Church, 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
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Dr. Vada Somerville, Kenneth Hahn, a naval officer and another woman at the Second Baptist Church, Los Angeles, 1950s

Dr. Vada Somerville, Kenneth Hahn, and a naval officer at the Second Baptist Church, 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
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Dr. Vada Somerville, Kenneth Hahn, and a naval officer at the Second Baptist Church, Los Angeles, 1950s

Dr. Vada Somerville, Marian Anderson and Martha Jefferson Louis, Los Angeles, 1940s

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]
Resource Type:
still image
Photographer:
Griffin, Earl, b. 1914 or 15
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Dr. Vada Somerville, Marian Anderson and Martha Jefferson Louis, Los Angeles, 1940s

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

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

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

Dr. Vada Somerville with two other women, circa 1940s

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:
[1940s]
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Dr. Vada Somerville with two other women, circa 1940s

Dr. Wilbur Clarence Gordon and Cynthia Mitchell Gordon on their wedding day at the Somerville home, Los Angeles, 1944-1945

Description:
Cynthiabelle Gordon Smith was born Cynthiabelle Black in Americus, Georgia. Her father was Alfred Black and her brother was Junior G. Black. She married the dentist, Dr. Isadore C. Mitchell (April 30, 1925). Shortly after, he completed dental school at Howard University and then moved to Los Angeles. In 1934, she moved to Washington, D.C. seeking work, and divorced Mitchell in 1936. In 1937 she was working for the U. S. Public Health Service in Washington, D. C. She married the physician Dr. Wilbur Gordon (possibly in 1942) and was widowed. She married Dr. R. Stillman Smith in 1947.
Date:
[1944-1945]
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Dr. Wilbur Clarence Gordon and Cynthia Mitchell Gordon on their wedding day at the Somerville home, Los Angeles, 1944-1945

Dr. Wilbur Clarence Gordon and Cynthia Mitchell Gordon on their wedding day with guests at the Somerville home, Los Angeles, 1944-1945

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:
[1944-1945]
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections
Dr. Wilbur Clarence Gordon and Cynthia Mitchell Gordon on their wedding day with guests at the Somerville home, Los Angeles, 1944-1945