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. Bill Watkins converted a 1920s apartment building into the Hotel Watkins and the Rubaiyat Room jazz club in 1945. The building is located at 2022 W Adams Blvd. Dr. Vada Somerville and Bill Watkins smile as they look at a piece of paper that they both hold. Photographer's stamp on back of photo: Please credit photo by Irving C. Smith
Type
image
Identifier
uclalsc_1889_b14_f10_045a.tif ark:/21198/z14474kf
Subject
Politicians African American civil rights workers African American businesspeople Somerville, Vada, 1885-1972 Watkins, Bill
If you're wondering about permissions and what you can do with this item, a good starting point is the "rights information" on this page. See our terms of use for more tips.
Share your story
Has Calisphere helped you advance your research, complete a project, or find something meaningful? We'd love to hear about it; please send us a message.