Notable Women of California
AUGUST 19, 1814 — JANUARY 4, 1904
MARY ELLEN PLEASANT
Abolitionst Pleasant or "The Mother of Civil Rights in California" was born a slave in Georgia yet worked to bring enslaved people to freedom through the Underground Railroad. Pleasant eventually moved to San Francisco where she passed as white in order to earn money that she used to fight discriminatory laws against former slaves. As a brilliant entrepreneur she used her fortune to obtain jobs and rights for African Americans giving her the nickname, "The Black City Hall."
AUGUST 15, 1818 — JANUARY 15, 1891
BRIDGET "BIDDY" MASON
A former slave, Mason became an entrepreneur, landowner, philanthropist and co-founder of First African Methodist Episcopal Church. After being granted freedom by a California court, Mason became a midwife and nurse thus becoming economically independent. Mason is remembered for her work with the poor and imprisoned, as she provided food and shelter to people of all races. Mason was also one of the first African American women to own land.
OCTOBER 15, 1830 — AUGUST 12, 1885
HELEN HUNT JACKSON
Activist and writer, Jackson, focused on the mistreatment of Native Americans by the United States government. Jackson investigated the Mission Indians of Southern California and wrote books based on individuals she encountered. As a result, a rapid influx of tourists came to California to see the sights mentioned in her book.