Bridget “Biddy” Mason

L.A. Sentinel Champion of Faith – Diane Mitchell Henry

What is your name and what is your ministry?  My name is Diane Mitchell Henry and I am a community social entrepreneur. How did you get started in it?  When I was a young girl, I use to travel to church conventions and revivals with my grandmother, Annie Troy, an evangelist. I was exposed to down-home folks committed to addressing the social issues that impacted the local community and around the world. Church engagement was serious civic engagement during the early 1950’s. It was more than just enjoying tea parties, fried chicken dinners and hand clapping to gospel music.   I saw my

WGGLA and CPRF Celebrate 200th Birthday of Biddy Mason

Event saluted legacy of the former slave who donated land in 1872 to establish First AME Church of L.A. The 200th birthday of Bridget “Biddy” Mason sparked a big celebration in downtown Los Angeles on Aug. 11. The Women’s Group of Greater Los Angeles County (WGGLA) joined with the Cynthia Perry Ray Foundation (CPRF) to recognize the legacy of Mason, a former slave, nurse, philanthropist and real estate entrepreneur, who donated the land in 1872 to establish First AME Church of L.A. The event, officially called the 4th Annual Call For Boldness, was held at the Biddy Mason Memorial Park

Photo of the Day: Bridget “Biddy” Mason Turns 200

  On August 15, Biddy Mason born a slave, overcame slavery and travel west to California. Mason became a nurse and midwife, using the skills she learned as a slave. Some patients gave her land in payment for delivering their children. She also saved her money and invested in downtown real estate, including buying the property at 311 Spring St. that would become her home. The Spring Street property was also where Mason and others established the First AME Church, the oldest African American church in the city. The initial meetings were held in Mason’s home. The Biddy Mason memorial