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. Lucille Robertson was, a real estate broker, was active in civic organizations. Dr. Wilbur Clarence Gordon was a physician. He was born in Ohio and practiced medicine in Los Angeles. Dr. Wilbur Clarence Gordon and Cynthia Mitchell Gordon (standing, 4th and 5th from left), Drs. Vada and John Somerville (standing, center) with guests. Lucille Robertson is seater on the left. 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 Written on back of photo: Seated from left Lucille Robertson, Dr. & Mrs. Wilbur Gordon's Wedding, (Cynthia Mitchell)
Type
image
Identifier
uclalsc_1889_b14_f16_002a.tif ark:/21198/z1c83tc2
Subject
African American couples African American physicians Weddings African American civic leaders Smith, Cynthiabelle Gordon, 1894 or 95-1978 Somerville, John Alexander, 1881-1973 Somerville, Vada, 1885-1972 Gordon, Wilbur Clarence, 1879-1945 Robertson, Lucille, 1907-1971
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