Vada Somerville facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vada Somerville
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Vada Somerville, from a 1919 publication.
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| Born | November 1, 1885 Pomona, California
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| Died | October 28, 1972 (aged 86) Los Angeles, California
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| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Dentist |
| Known for | civil rights activist; dentistry |
| Spouse(s) | John Alexander Somerville (m. 1912) |
Vada Watson Somerville (born November 1, 1885 – died October 28, 1972) was an important civil rights leader. She was also a dentist. Vada was the second African-American woman in California to become a Doctor of Dental Surgery. She worked hard to help her community and fight for fairness.
Early Life and Education
Vada Somerville was born in Pomona, California, on November 1, 1885. Her mother, Dorothy Watson McDonald, had moved from Arkansas.
In 1903, Vada received a special scholarship. This scholarship, from the Los Angeles Times newspaper, helped her attend the University of Southern California (USC).
After finishing her studies at USC, Vada worked. She was a bookkeeper and a telephone operator. In 1912, she married John Alexander Somerville. He was also a dentist. They had met while they were both in college.
John Somerville had planned to go back to his home in Jamaica. He wanted to practice dentistry there. But after they got married, Vada and John decided to stay in Los Angeles.
Becoming a Dentist
In 1914, Vada and John started something big. They helped create the Los Angeles branch of the NAACP. This group works for equal rights for all people.
During World War I, Vada decided to become a dentist too. She was worried her husband might have to join the army. She didn't want him to lose his patients. When she started dental school at USC, she was unique. She was the only woman and the only African American in her class.
In 1918, Vada Somerville earned her D.D.S. degree. She was the second African-American woman to graduate from the USC dental program. Then, she became the first Black woman to get a license to practice dentistry in California. She passed her exams with one of the highest scores. Vada stopped practicing dentistry in 1933.
Fighting for Civil Rights
After retiring from dentistry in 1933, Vada focused on helping her community. She spent all her time on "social welfare and civic work." She joined many groups, including:
- The Los Angeles League of Women Voters
- The Council on Public Affairs
- The UCLA's YWCA
- The USC Half Century Club
In 1927, the Somervilles started building the Hotel Somerville. This hotel was in Los Angeles. It was a fancy hotel just for Black people. It showed that Black people could succeed. It also showed how much segregation still existed. The hotel became a place where African Americans who wanted social change could meet. It was an example of how educated Black people were bringing new ideas.
In 1928, the Hotel Somerville was the main place for the NAACP's national meeting. Later, the stock market crashed. The Somervilles sold the hotel. It was renamed the Dunbar Hotel. It is now a museum and a historic landmark.
By 1938, Vada was very active in starting the Los Angeles chapter of the National Council of Negro Women. In 1948, Vada helped create the Los Angeles County Human Relations Committee. She also started the Pilgrim House Community Center. This center helped Black families who moved to Los Angeles during World War II.
Vada strongly supported Black women. She helped create important service groups for Black women. These included the Links and the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. One of her last big achievements was creating The Stevens House. This was a dorm at UCLA for students of all races. It was meant to help students from different backgrounds get along better. UCLA sold The Stevens House in 1992. The money from the sale created The Stevens House Scholarship. This scholarship helps students who need financial help and show academic promise.
Lasting Impact
Vada Somerville passed away on October 28, 1972, in Los Angeles, California.
Both John and Vada Somerville are honored at the USC Dental School. Their pictures hang there as symbols of hard work and never giving up. Also, USC has a special living area for African-American students. It is called Somerville Place, named after John and Vada. It helps students learn about Black culture and feel like they belong.
Vada's impact went far beyond USC. The civil rights movement, like the Brown v. Board of Education decision and the work of Rosa Parks, happened partly because of people like Vada Somerville. She helped turn her own achievements into a big social change for women and for everyone across the country.
