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.
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.
Artists Hale Woodruff (L) and Charles Alston (R) at the Mission San Diego de Alcalá in San Diego. They were researching the mural for the new building of the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company.
Pamphlet on the Manzanar Toy Loan Project, began in 1944. Topics include founding, organization, objectives, floor plan, and mimeographed forms used by the Center. Booklet also includes six black and white photographs of children at the Toy Loan Center.
Curriculum in Action, Volume 2 no. 1 November 1970. The Minority Student in California. Cover Photo and Caption: Discussing new materials on minority groups for possible integration into the curriculum are: From left: Dr. Alfred Artuso, superintendent; Fred Beteta, co-chairman of the Committee of 14; William Jones, district consultant; Dr. Moulton Johnson, president of the SMJCD Board of Education; Raymond Acevedo, Mexican-American coordinator, and [Alfred Thomas Quinn] college community relations coordinator.
One African American man and about six boys stand on the sidewalk at the corner of Central Avenue and E. Vernon. The boy in the striped shirt holds a newspaper with the headline "Trojans lead [...] 6-0" and an article titled "German Sub Sinks British [...] Boat." Across the street is the California Bank building with the dental office of Dr. J. G. Hatcher on the second floor (with his name just visible in the windows).
Group portrait of 25 members of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, with Dr. Vada Somerville (seated, 4th from left), and possibly Florence Cole-Talbert (seated 4th from right).
Camp Harmony Assembly Center newsletter, Puyallup, Washington. Includes articles on daily life in the incarceration camp, such as conditions, sports, school, the temporary detention center, and employment.
America Waldo Bogle was the daughter of a slave mother and probably one of the Waldo brothers (Missouri businessmen and slave owners who moved to the Oregon Territory). She married Jamaican immigrant Richard Bogle in 1863. He opened a barbershop in Walla Walla, owned a ranch or farm, and was one of the founders of the Walla Walla Building and Loan Association. Five of their eight children lived into adulthood. Three of the sons became barbers in Portland.
Letter from Al Green, Chairman of the Allensworth Advisory Committee, to Anita Hagen, editor of a paper titled Insight. Apparently Insight published a story claiming that the town of Allensworth was a faded dream. Mr. Green explains to her why he thinks that this is not true, that Allensworth is a diamond, and invites her to join those advocating for Allensworth.
Parkridge Country Club in Corona opened in 1925. It had one of the best golf courses in California. Under financial stress by 1927, it was sold to three African American businessmen from Los Angeles, including Journee White (a wealthy real estate businessman) and Eugene C. Nelson (a physician). The Ku Klux Klan burned a cross on the front lawn, white club members sued the previous white owner, and by 1929 the black buyers were forced to withdraw their bid. It became a sanitarium and was demolished in the 1960’s to make way for the Cresta Verde Golf Course and housing development.
George Monroe rode a stagecoach between Merced and Mariposa and became a renowned stage driver. He drove three United States presidents into Yosemite, Ulysses S. Grant, James A. Garfield and Rutherford B. Hayes, as well as Gen. William T. Sherman. Monroe Meadows in Yosemite is named after him.
Group gathered following the unveiling of the two murals titled “The Negro in California History” in the lobby of the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company’s new home office building (4261 S. Central Ave.). The murals were painted by artists Hale Woodruff and Charles Alston and installed on the lower walls of the Roman travertine against which the group is standing. Left to right: George Beavers, Jr., chairman of the board, Golden State Mutual; Charlotta Bass, Publisher of the California Eagle, pulled the cord to unveil the Charles Alston Mural; Norman O. Houston, President, Golden State Mutual; Gussie Woods, mother of Hale Woodruff, pulled the cord to unveil the Woodruff mural; and Titus Alexander, member of the California Historical Society who aided in the research upon which the murals are based.
Two plaques at the site of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church building at 8th St. and Towne Ave. with a pictorial image of the church building, and providing a brief history of the A.M.E. and the church's designation as a Los Angeles cultural heritage landmark, and information about the ministers of the church at that time.
After the session of California to the United States, the Rancho Rodeo de las Aguas land grant was patented to Maria Rita Valdez de Villa. She possessed the land from 1831 to 1854. After that, the property changed hands several times before becoming Beverly Hills in the early 20th century.
Elias Baldwin's race horse, Volante, shown with a black jockey. Volante won the American Derby at Washington Park in 1885. This was the most prestigious race for 3-year-olds at that time.
Beulah Ecton Woodard was an African-American sculptor and painter in California who specialized in African subjects. The first African American artist to show her work at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, she founded the Los Angeles Negro Art Association (1937).
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.
Attorney General Stanley Mosk (3rd from right) ready to cut the ribbon for English Square office complex at 85th and Broadway, with the owner, attorney Herman English, and his wife, Eula (right), and (from left): Reverend W. L. Robinson, Attorney Loren Miller, emcee; and Councilman Billy Mills and his wife, Rubye.
Juanita Ellsworth Miller was the Deputy Director of the Department of Social Welfare for the State of California, a chartered member of the Allied Arts League and a life member of the NAACP. She was married to judge Loren Miller.
Canada Lee (born Lionel Cornelius Canegata) was a noted 20th century jockey, boxer, actor and civil rights activist. He was primarily a stage actor from the early 1930s to his death. His breakout film role was in 1941 where Lee played Bigger Thomas in the film Native Son to great critical and popular acclaim. His passionate devotion to equality was reflected in his theatrical and film roles.
Charlotta Bass was the publisher of the California Eagle newspaper from 1912 to 1951, and a civil rights activist. The California Eagle, covering Los Angeles' African-American community, was one of the oldest and longest running African American newspapers.
Group portrait of Mary McLeod Bethune, event speaker, and 22 African Americans at the Second Baptist Church. Mrs. Bethune is in the front wearing a black dress and is leaning on the podium; Norman O. Houston is present (9th from right). On arch above the sanctuary is painted: "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism".
Roy Fowler's father, John Fowler, wrote a column called "Spreading Joy," which was published in the California Eagle newspaper. John Fowler's sister, Cora, married Felix Beckford and lived in Oakland. Their daughter, Ruth Beckford, is a dancer, teacher and author.
Actress Beulah Hall with members of the Lincoln Motion Picture Company, left to right: Clarence Brooks (secretary), Noble Johnson (president), Dudley Brooks (assistant secretary), and Dr. James Smith (treasurer). They are standing in front of a picket fence and a building with wood siding.
First African Methodist Episcopal Church, Los Angeles, is the oldest church founded by African Americans in the City of Los Angeles, dating to 1872. Biddy Mason established the church to minister to the mind, body, and soul of the community. This church served as the cornerstone of the community for spiritual growth, social uplift, and economic development.
Charlotta Bass was the publisher of the California Eagle newspaper from 1912 to 1951, and a civil rights activist. The California Eagle, covering Los Angeles' African-American community, was one of the oldest and longest running African American newspapers.
Documents the WRA's transfer from independent war agency to Department of the Interior. Includes general description of life in incarceration camps, including reaction of incarcerees and enlistment. Includes report of the House Sub-Committee on the Tule Lake Incident, the closing of the Jerome Relocation Center, and tables and charts showing average incarceration camp populations.
Minidoka incarceration camp newsletter. Includes articles on daily life in the camp, such as conditions, sports, school, and employment. Also includes a Japanese Language section on the back page with a brief English guide.
Report prepared by Ruth Budd, Director of School and Community Libraries. Report covers library history, staff training, fiction library, high school and elementary division. Includes black and white photographs of staff and facilities.
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.
Beulah Ecton Woodard was an African-American sculptor and painter in California who specialized in African subjects. The first African American artist to show her work at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, she founded the Los Angeles Negro Art Association (1937).
Police officer Frank White stands next to an early model car in front of his house. He wears a fedora hat. There is a wood frame house in the background with palm trees on either side. This may be the address listed in the 1920 census at 1725 W. 35th Place.
Bessie Coleman was an African American civil aviator. She was the first woman of African-American descent to hold a civilian pilot license. Due to discrimination against blacks in the U. S., she traveled to Paris in, 1920 to learn to fly and earn an international pilot's license. She then returned to the United States in 1921 and became a "barnstorming" stunt flier. "Queen Bess," as she was known, was a highly popular draw for the next five years. She was a speaker, was often interviewed by newspapers, and she was admired by both blacks and whites. In 1926 Coleman died in a tragic airplane accident. She was 34 years old.
Studio portrait of a black early Californian woman (Possibly a slave) wearing a satin dress and a headscarf, holding a light skinned baby (possibly white), in a decorative, embossed frame.
Anna Dugged Owens married Robert Curry Owens who was the grandson of Robert Owens, Sr. and Biddy Mason, early African American pioneers and Los Angeles landowners.
Mamie Virginia Cunningham White was the first African American clerk in the Los Angeles Post Office, and became an early real estate broker in Los Angeles and headed the city's first negro employment agency.
Photograph of a mountain pass, possibly the Cahuenga pass, with two people riding bicycles. The Cahuenga Pass connects the Los Angeles Basin to the San Fernando Valley via U.S. Route 101 (Hollywood Freeway).
Nate Harrison was born in the American South during the 1820s or 30s. He migrated to California during the Gold Rush, eventually settled on Mount Palomar. He was the first African American homesteader in the area and occupied his homestead from approximately 1856 to 1919. His homestead included a cabin, a patio and an orchard. He had many visitors, and ran a small cottage industry raising sheep, and processing wool and animal hides.
Theresa Bel Virginia Harper Danley was the sister of Helena H. Harper Coates and Calvin B. Harper. She married Samuel Bober Danley and her daughter was Margaret Helena Danley.
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.
Group photograph of African American children in front of the doors of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church. The girls are wearing white dresses with flowers in their hair, and the boys are dressed in black suits. There are about 10 adults in the group. The occasion has to do with the fraternal organization called the Ancient United Knights and Daughters of Africa.
Miriam Matthews, sister of businesswoman Ella Matthews and lawyer Charles Matthews, was hired in 1927 as the first African American librarian in the Los Angeles Public Library. Matthews was also a civil rights activist, historian, and collector of African American art and primary source materials.
Louis M. Blodgett eating. Blodgett, a contractor, constructed the first building for Golden State Mutual Life Insurance in 1928. The building still stands at 4261 S. Central Ave.
House of Beverly A. Johnson located at 1801 G St. A small child is standing at the top of the front steps. A sign above a window on the left reads: "B. A. Johnson / Caterer / Weddings, Banquets, Receptions / Dishes, [...] linen, Rented"
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.