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. 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. Approximately 70 well dressed unidentified guests seated around long tables in the backyard of Drs. Vada and John Somerville, in front of a small (guest?) house at night. The event was a reception for Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Somerville, of Linstead, Jamaica, the brother and sister-in-law of Dr. John Somerville. Photographer's stamp on back of photo: McLain's Photo Service / 24 Hour Service / 1168 East 47th Place / AD 1-9732 Los Angeles 11, Calif.
Type
image
Identifier
uclalsc_1889_b14_f12_006a.tif ark:/21198/z16q3fb0
Subject
African American civic leaders African American civil rights workers Receptions African American businesspeople African American dentists Somerville, John Alexander, 1881-1973 Somerville, Vada, 1885-1972
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