Like other women on the pioneer trail, bridget biddy mason walked about 2,000 miles to make a new home in the west, where members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints could be free. Bridget biddy mason was an entrepreneur, nurse, and one of the first africanamerican women to own land in california, bridget was born a slave in hancock county, georgia on august 15, 1818. A biography profiling the life of bridget biddy mason, a forme. Published september 1st 2005 by compass point books first published. Born enslaved, mason became one of the first prominent citizens and landowners in. Bridget biddy mason, mormon midwife the gift of giving. When biddy arrived in california, where slavery was technically illegal, she was kept captive by her. Bridget biddy mason was brought as a slave to california.
A place of her own, in which she chronicles the life of former slave and entrepreneur bridget biddy mason, who, after gaining her freedom, worked as a midwife and began purchasing real estate in california. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. In either case, her fortunes followed those of the smith family until she gained her freedom. A beautiful memorial tells the story of a former slave whose kindness shaped a. Mason came from the middle name of amasa lyman, who was the mayor of san bernadino and a. She donated to numerous charities, fed and sheltered the poor, and visited prisoners. The smiths moved to california taking biddy and her girls along. She may have been born on robert marion smiths plantation in mississippi or perhaps she was simply purchased by him when she was still young. Biddy mason on this date in 1818, bridget biddy mason was born. Biddy mason august 15, 1818 january 15, 1891 was an africanamerican nurse and a californian real estate entrepreneur and philanthropist. Born a slave, she developed a variety of skills and developed knowledge of medicine, child care, and livestock care. This was a mistake for robert smith and a blessing for biddy mason. Many angelenos have visited downtowns bradbury building, but not everyone knows about the nearby biddy mason memorial park located on the south side of the building, between broadway and spring streets.
When biddy arrived in california, where slavery was technically illegal, she was kept captive by her owners and forced to work without pay. Bridget biddy mason, born a slave in mississippi in 1818, achieved financial success that enabled her to support her extended family for generations despite the fact that she was illiterate. Citation formats are based on standards as of july 2010. Biddy mason speaks up is an ageappropriate yet unflinching examination of slavery, racism, and community healing in the united states. Learn about her fascinating life with this primary source biography that builds students reading skills and promotes social studies content knowledge. A biography profiling the life of bridget biddy mason, a former slave who won her freedom in california, and later worked as a nurse and helped others. Bridget biddy mason was born a slave in 19thcentury america. Biddy mason was born a slave in 1818 in mississippi.
Genealogy profile for biddy mason bridget mason 1818 1891 genealogy genealogy for bridget mason 1818 1891 family tree on geni, with over 200 million profiles of. Click download or read online button to get biddy mason book now. She was a once illiterate black slave woman who worked as a nursemidwife and then walked from mississippi to california to become a successful entrepreneur and a generous contributor to social causes. The life of biddy mason brings together three central narratives of american history.
A place of her own, in which she tells the story of former slave and entrepreneur bridget. A story about benjamin banneker, and with open hands. The book opens in the georgia cotton belt in 1818 with the birth of bridget. When she learned of her legal rights, she sued for freedom for herself and her family and won, in what became a landmark court case. After emancipation, she chose to be known as bridget biddy mason. She was given as a gift to robert smith when he married and was moved with the family to mississippi. Mason was instrumental in founding a travelers aid center and an elementary school for black children. Bridget biddy mason, an african american philanthropist, healer. In a landmark case she sued her master for their f. Each chapter begins with lyrical verse and fullcolor illustrations that draw readers into the narrative, and is followed by visually engaging sections filled with keyword definitions, historical context. Stream storytime, concerts, download ebooks and other content from our online library. In 1847 at age 32, biddy mason was forced to walk from mississippi to utah tending cattle behind her masters 300wagon caravan. Part of the fighting for justice series spearheaded by atkins for heyday books, she and white have a shining achievement in capturing the trials and triumphs of one of californias first civil rights activist, bridget biddy mason.
Biddy mason speaks up is an ageappropriate yet unflinching examination of. Bridget biddy mason african american entrepreneur legends. Biddy mason speaks up link to powells books green stoplight. Not much is known of her early life, but by the time she was a young adult she was enslaved in the household of robert smith. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. Building on the brilliance of fred korematsu speaks up, the newest installment in the fighting for justice series introduces young readers to another reallife champion for civil rights. Download pdf biddy mason free online new books in politics. A walking sensation is a remarkable tale of endurance, persistence, and christian service. When biddy arrived in california, where slavery was technically illegal, she was kept captive by her owners and forced to work. In a landmark case she sued her master for their freedom, saved her earnings, invested in real estate.
Please do not return any library materials until april 30, including prospector items. Williams and ford have a god given talent for writing that is sure to inspire children for many years to come. All boulder public library locations are closed to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Bridget biddy mason distinguished women of past and present from slavery to entreprenur, biddy mason the african american registry african american history in the west vignette. Laura freeman is an illustrator of childrens books, editorial content, and licensed art. Bridget biddy mason was an entrepreneur, nurse, and one of first africanamerican women to own land in california. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. Biddy masonbiddy mason 18181891 was a southern slave who become free after she moved with her masters to california.
In 1860, mason received a certified copy of the document that guaranteed her freedom. Jeri retired from a 30year teaching career in order to write full time and travels all over the united states and the world to research and collect information on her subjects. The lexile power v word selector identifies up to 10 challenging words in each book that are important for students to know. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. Born a slave in georgia in 1818, bridget biddy mason learned to survive in a harsh world. Biddy mason speaks up fighting for justice book 2 and millions of other. Bridget biddy mason, an african american philanthropist, healer, and midwife who was born into slavery. From slave to businesswoman by jean kinney williams and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
This book introduces young readers to another reallife champion for civil rights. Bridget biddy mason, an african american philanthropist, healer, and midwife who. Because february is black history month, i wanted to highlight bridget biddy mason. Mason s life, biddy mason speaks up, part of a series about civil rights leaders. Bridget biddy mason black resource center after being freed by the courts in 1856, she went on to become a nurse, midwife, prominent real estate entrepreneur, philanthropist, community leader, and a founder of the first african methodist episcopal church fame. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. Atkins and arisa white, a poet, have written a book about ms. As a child, she was separated from her parents and sold several times, working on plantations in georgia, mississippi and south carolina. Biddy bridget mason 18151891 was born into slavery and given as a wedding gift to a mormon couple in mississippi named robert and rebecca smith. Citations contain only title, author, edition, publisher, and year published. When biddy arrived in california, where slavery was technically illegal, she. Explore our editors picks for the best kids books of the month. Bridget biddy mason was an entrepreneur, nurse, and one of first african american women to own land in california.
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