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. Professor Kelly Miller and Dr. Vada J. Somerville were honored guests of the Los Angeles Chapter of Howard University Alumni Assn. Kelly Miller was an African-American mathematician, sociologist, essayist, newspaper columnist, author, and an important figure in the intellectual life of black America for close to half a century. He was known as "The Bard of the Potomac." Group portrait of the Howard University Alumni Association with two children outside Smith & Leggett's Drug Store on Central Avenue, near 12th Street. Kelly Miller (possibly front row, 4th from right). Dr. Vada Somerville in a light-colored dress with a dark belt (5th from right). Caption: Howard University Alumni Association of Los Angeles with Mrs. Katherine Murdock. In Century Automobile Trip Honoring Prof. Kelly Miller of Howard University, Washington, D.C. and Dr. Vada Somerville of Los Angeles. Leaving Smith & Leggett's Drug Store July 4, 1918. Typescript on back of photo: Los Angeles Chapter of Howard University Alumni ASSN. Professor Kelly Miller and Dr. Vada J. Somerville were honored guests of the Los Angeles Chapter of Howard University Alumni Assn, when they toured the city on July 4, 1918. The photograph shows the group leaving Smith & Leggett's Drug Store on Central Avenue. Near 12th Street.
Type
image
Identifier
uclalsc_1889_b21_f03_001a.tif ark:/21198/z1z04s9n
Subject
African American universities and colleges African American scientists African American college graduates African American dentists African American college teachers Murdock, Katherine Howard University Somerville, Vada, 1885-1972 Miller, Kelly, 1863-1939
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