Biddy Mason

Bridget ("Biddy") Mason (August 15, 1818 in Hancock County, Georgia – January 15, 1891 in Los Angeles, California) was an African American nurse, and a California real estate entrepreneur and philanthropist.

Born a slave in Georgia, Mason was among a small group of slaves taken by her master Robert Smith, a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), first to the Utah Territory, and then on to California. In 1856, when Smith was planning to move to the slave state of Texas, Mason petitioned a Los Angeles court for her freedom. A California judge granted her freedom as a resident of a free state, as well as the freedom of the other slaves held captive by Smith (her three daughters, and ten other African-American women and children).

Mason worked in Los Angeles as a nurse and midwife. Saving carefully, she was one of the first African Americans to purchase land in the city. As a businesswoman she amassed a small fortune of nearly $300,000, which she shared generously with charities. She was instrumental in founding a traveler's aid center, an elementary school for black children, and was a founding member of First African Methodist Episcopal Church, the city's first and oldest black church.

Mason is an honoree in the California Social Work Hall of Distinction.

References

*Mungen, Donna. (1976) "The Life and Times of Biddy Mason."
*Sims, Oscar L. "Profile of Biddy Mason." (1993) "Epic Lives: One Hundred Black Women Who Made a Difference." Smith, Jessie Carney, ed. Visible Ink Press.
* Bolden, Tonya. (1996) "The Book of African-American Women: 150 Crusaders, Creators, and Uplifters." Adams Media Corporation.
* Sherr, Lynn and Jurate Kazickas. (1994) "Susan B. Anthony Slept Here. A Guide to American Women's Landmarks." Random House.
* [http://www.socalhistory.org/Biographies/biddymason.htm Biography] at Socialhistory.org
* [http://www.distinguishedwomen.com/biographies/mason-b.html Biography] at DistinguishedWomen.com..

External links

* [http://www.ci.la.ca.us/angelswalk/5.htm Biddy Mason Park] website.
* [http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/5views/5views2h14.htm Biddy Mason Home Site] website.
* [http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/5views/5views2h14.htm A History of Black Americans in California: Biddy Mason]
* [http://www.socialworkhallofdistinction.org/honorees/item.php?id=18 bio in California Social Work Hall of Distinction]
* [http://www.cityprojectca.org/ourwork/heritageparkscape.html The City Project Heritage Parkscape] website.