Before the conclusion of Women’s History Month, ULI Los Angeles and WLI would like to recognize Bridget “Biddy” Mason, an enslaved woman who later became one of California’s wealthiest real estate moguls.

Biddy Mason was born a slave on August 15, 1818. She eventually became one of the first pioneers of Los Angeles, as well as a successful real estate entrepreneur, midwife and nurse, and philanthropist. She also founded the First African Methodist Episcopal Church (F.A.M.E.) in Los Angeles.

As a slave, she walked from Mississippi to Utah, then to Los Angeles, herding animals and tending to the needs of her slave master, all while caring for her three small children Ellen, Anne, and Harriet. After arriving in California, she successfully fought for and won her freedom through the court system in 1856. After winning her freedom, she worked for Dr. John S. Griffin (as depicted in the UC San Francisco murals) as a nurse and midwife. She saved her money and eventually amassed great wealth by the time of her death in 1891.

Despite all of her wealth, she continued to serve the community treating anyone in need, black or white, as well as those no one else wanted to help, such as prisoners. She gave shelter to the homeless and fed the hungry. Because of her work and philanthropy, she was inducted into the California Social Work Hall of Distinction in 2002.

“If you hold your hand closed, nothing good can come in. The open hand is blessed, for it gives in abundance, even as it receives.” – Biddy Mason

Continue reading about Biddy Mason: https://biddymason.info/
Learn more about the THE BIDDY MASON CHARITABLE FOUNDATION: https://biddymason.com/
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