49: From Slave to Businesswoman: The Life of Biddy Mason

Date: March 18, 2026 Legacy Makers: Stories of Black Inventors and Icons Title and Show Info Episode #49: From Slave to Businesswoman: The Life of Biddy Mason Featuring: Toni Davis (Host & Storyteller). Summary Discover the remarkable story of Bridget "Biddy" Mason, a former slave who became one of the most inspiring African American women pioneers in Los Angeles history. In this episode of Legacy Makers: Stories of Black Inventors and Icons, we explore how "Biddy" won her freedom and rose to become a respected nurse, entrepreneur, and generous African American philanthropist. Her journey is a powerful chapter in African American history and women in history, revealing how courage, faith, and determination helped shape a thriving community. From fighting for freedom to building wealth and giving back, Biddy Mason's life reflects the legacy of African American women leaders and historical changemakers whose impact still inspires us today. Tune in to hear this unforgettable African American history story and celebrate a true legacy maker. ✨📖🎙️ Top of Form Highlights: 00:57= INTRO 01:04= PROLOGUE. 01:50=  BRIDGET "BIDDY" MASON BIRTH. 03:16= JOHN SMITHSON'S PLANATION. 03:27= MIDWIFERY & MEDICINE. 04:27= SLAVE OWNERS ROBERT & REBECCA SMITH. 04:43= HER CHILREN. 05:33= CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. 05:41= UTAH TERRITORY. 07:48= CALIFORNIA. 08:36= TEXAS. 09:06= CHARLES OWENS & MANUEL PEPPER. 09:34= LOS ANGELES JUDGE BEJAMIN HAYES. 10:39= COURT RULING. 11:07= MANUMISSION "FREEDOM" PAPERS.       11:26= LAST NAME MASON. 11:57= LOS ANGELES AND ROBERT OWENS. 12:06= NURSE & MIDWIFE. 12:59= JOHN STROTHER GRIFFIN. 13:12= 1ST AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN TO OWN PROPERTY IN LOS ANGELES. 14:29= CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR PIO PICO. 14:37= HER GRANDSON ROBERT CURRY OWENS. 15:10= FIRST AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH (FAME) OF LOS ANGELES. 15:43- THE WEALTHIEST BLACK WOMAN IN LOS ANGELES. 15:57- PASSES AWAY. 16:03- BURIED AT EVERGREEN CEMETERY IN BOYLE HEIGHTS, LOS ANGELES, CA. 16:44= ACCOLADES. 17:22= CONCLUSION. Subscribe to the podcast.   Links To Additional Resources: Bridget "Biddy" Mason – National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Bridget "Biddy" Mason (U.S. National Park Service) Bridget "Biddy" Mason (1818-1891) | BlackPast.org Bridget "Biddy" Mason | National Museum of African American History & Culture. Biddy Mason - Wikipedia CAAM | #blackhistory: On January 19, 1856, Bridget Biddy Mason petitions Los Angeles District Court for freedom for herself and her extended family of 13 women and children About Bridget "Biddy" Mason – Californians for the Advancement of Midwifery Bridget "Biddy" Mason Biddy Mason Memorial Park - LA Conservancy Who is Biddy Mason? – Biddy Mason Charitable Foundation Biddy Mason - Equality Before the Law: California Black Convention Activism, 1855-65 Women's History Month Spotlight: Biddy Mason, From Enslaved to Real Estate Mogul | ULI Los Angeles Biddy Mason Speaks Up - Zinn Education Project A skilled healer, Biddy Mason fought for her freedom, fortune    | Department of Education The Open Hand: A Conversation with the Descendants of Biddy Mason | UC San Francisco Bridget "Biddy" Mason, Former Slave, Landowner, and Philanthropist - America Comes Alive Black History Month: Bridget "Biddy" Mason, Mormon Midwife (1856) Mason v. Smith (The Bridget "Biddy" Mason Case) | BlackPast.org Bridget "Biddy" Mason – African American Entrepreneur – Legends of America Bridget "Biddy" Mason (U.S. National Park Service) Bridget 'Biddy' Mason: LA Pioneer | The Los Angeles Lowdown Midwifery Today Bridget "Biddy" Mason: A Black Pioneer Midwife of Nineteenth-century Los Angeles The heart and science of birth Bridget Biddy Mason | Black Women's Religious Activism Bridget Biddy Mason | Biography, Freedom & Memorials | Study.com The untold story of Bridget Mason : a freedwoman becomes an entrepreneur | Library of Congress Biddy Mason | History of American Women Black History Month Spotlight On: Bridget "Biddy" Mason - Black Infants and Families Los Angeles Let It Shine: Bridget "Biddy" Mason – Boys and Girls Club of Harlem Profiles in Black History: Bridget "Biddy" Mason — Oceanside Sanctuary Biddy Mason, Nurse, and Entrepreneur born - African American Registry From Enslaved to Entrepreneur: The Biddy Mason Story Biddy Mason: "The Open Hand is Blessed" – Food Tells a Story Bridget "Biddy" Mason Bridget "Biddy" Mason by Klarise Yahya - AOAUSA The Life of Biddy Mason: From Slave to a Master | by Fareeha Arshad, PhD | Lessons from History | Medium The remarkable journey of Bridget "Biddy" Mason | The Kid Should See This From Enslaved Woman to Millionaire: The Biddy Mason Story | HowStuffWorks 1856: Biddy Mason secured freedom from slavery - Mississippi Today Bridget "Biddy" Mason, the California Trail (U.S. National Park Service) starthere.pdf Bridget Biddy Mason - Media Noire Bridget "Biddy" Mason: Slave, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist | Poking Around with Mary Honoring the legacy and 200th birthday of slave-turned-entrepreneur Biddy Mason – Biddy Mason Charitable Foundation Bridget "Biddy" Mason: An Unstoppable Spirit - Page 2 of 2 - BlackDoctor.org - Where Wellness & Culture Connect Bridget "Biddy" Mason: The First Known Black Female Property Owner in Los Angeles — Unique Coloring Bridget "Biddy" Mason - Exodus Books Former Slave Bridget "Biddy" Mason, Los Angeles Real Estate Mogul | Post News Group Bridget "Biddy" Mason – Illustrated Women in History Photo of the Day: Bridget "Biddy" Mason Turns 200 – Los Angeles Sentinel Bridget "Biddy" Mason - Broads You Should Know Bridget "Biddy" Mason: From Bondage to Wealth - Kentake Page BRIDGET "BIDDY' MASON: Founder of the First African American Methodist Church FAME - The Neighborhood News Online Bridgett "Biddy" Mason – History's Women Bridget "Biddy" Mason: The First Black Real Estate Mogul - APHW Biddy Mason - From Enslaved to One of Los Angeles' Wealthiest Women - WednesdaysWomen CRIISC honors black trailblazers in Riverside event The Bridget "Biddy" Mason Case, 1856 | BlackPast.org Bridget (Unknown) Mason (1818-1891) | WikiTree FREE Family Tree Bridget "Biddy" Mason an Important Figure in Real Estate | MetroTex Former Slave Bridget "Biddy" Mason, Los Angeles Real Estate Mogul – BlackPressUSA Happy 206th Birthday, Biddy Mason: The woman who dramatically overcame slavery and became a massively wealthy philanthropist | Michael Coard | phillytrib.com Bridget Biddy Mason HISTORY: How Bridget "Biddy" Mason Went from "Property" to Property Owner From Slave To Millionaire Land Owner: The Biddy Mason Story | Celebrity Net Worth Black History: Bridget "Biddy" Mason – HPS Magazine