Los Angeles Section History
Jessie L. Terry
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Dr. Vada & Dr. John Somerville
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Activist Jessie L. Terry was born in Clarksville, Tennessee. She helped organize an African American branch of the YMCA in Los Angeles and the first Jefferson High School PTA. At the request of Mary Mcleod Bethune, she was instrumental in forming the Los Angeles Section of the National Council of Negro Women.
Her interest in politics was reflected by the group of young, ambitious men that gathered in her home. She met with them in her kitchen, advising them, thus they were called, affectionately, the "kitchen cabinet." Among them was Augustus Hawkins, who became the first Black Congressman from Los Angeles, and Gilbert Lindsey, the first Black Los Angeles City Councilman. Ms. Terry was appointed the first African American member of the Los Angeles Housing Authority in 1944 and became the first woman manager of the city housing project.
Dr. Vada Somerville was the first President of the Los Angeles Section, she was installed in 1945. In 1918, Dr. Somerville became the first African American woman graduate of the USC School of Dentistry. After passing the State Board Examination, Dr. Somerville joined her husband, John Somerville's, dental practice. The Somerville home was the birthplace of many civic, political, religious, social and cultural organizations. The first committee meeting which led to the founding of the local branch of the NAACP was there. In addition, Dr. Vada Somerville headed the Women's Committee, which helped launch the Los Angeles Urban League.
Through the years, the Somerville's welcomed many distinguished guests into their home, including Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, Supervisor Kenneth Hahn, Augustus Hawkins, Mary Mcleod Bethune, W.E.B. Du Bois, Rosa Parks, and A. Philip Randolph to name just a few.
Her interest in politics was reflected by the group of young, ambitious men that gathered in her home. She met with them in her kitchen, advising them, thus they were called, affectionately, the "kitchen cabinet." Among them was Augustus Hawkins, who became the first Black Congressman from Los Angeles, and Gilbert Lindsey, the first Black Los Angeles City Councilman. Ms. Terry was appointed the first African American member of the Los Angeles Housing Authority in 1944 and became the first woman manager of the city housing project.
Dr. Vada Somerville was the first President of the Los Angeles Section, she was installed in 1945. In 1918, Dr. Somerville became the first African American woman graduate of the USC School of Dentistry. After passing the State Board Examination, Dr. Somerville joined her husband, John Somerville's, dental practice. The Somerville home was the birthplace of many civic, political, religious, social and cultural organizations. The first committee meeting which led to the founding of the local branch of the NAACP was there. In addition, Dr. Vada Somerville headed the Women's Committee, which helped launch the Los Angeles Urban League.
Through the years, the Somerville's welcomed many distinguished guests into their home, including Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, Supervisor Kenneth Hahn, Augustus Hawkins, Mary Mcleod Bethune, W.E.B. Du Bois, Rosa Parks, and A. Philip Randolph to name just a few.
