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. Lloyd Barrington La Beach was a former sprinter from Panama, who won two bronze medals during the 1948 Summer Olympics, the first Olympic medals for Panama and for Central America. He also competed in the long jump. Text from newspaper caption: Doing their part, and then some, in aiding stricken Islanders are members of the Jamaica Hurricane relief committee, pictured above. Standing and sitting in top row, left to right, are: Dr. A. J. Somerville, C. M. Neilson, chairman; Dr. Vada Somerville and Lloyd LaBeach. Sitting in bottom row, left to right, are: Dr. Dorsey, Mrs. Crompton, Miss Yvonne Philbert, secretary; Doris Howard and Mr. Richards, assistant secretary. Los Angeles Sentinel, 20 Sep. 1951: A9. Photographer's stamp on back of photo: Robert R. Douglas Photo / Hi - 8375
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image
Identifier
uclalsc_1889_b14_f10_008a.tif ark:/21198/z1wq1mv7
Subject
African American civil rights workers African American track and field athletes African American businesspeople African American dentists Disaster relief Somerville, John Alexander, 1881-1973 Howard, Doris Nielson, C. M Philbert, Yvonne Somerville, Vada, 1885-1972 La Beach, Lloyd Barrington, 1922-1999 Dorsey, Dr
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