"Vada-Watson-Somerville" (1885-1972)

Was the first African American female dentist educated at the University of Southern California School of dentistry,and the second African American graduate in the University's history.Graduating in 1918,Vada was the only African American student in her class of eighty-eight graduates.

She was born in Pomona,Califonia.One of  seven children.Her mama,Dorothy Watson Mcdonald,instilled a strong work ethic in all of her children,encouraging them to be successful.One of her her brothers graduated from the University f Southern California Law School,and had a career in the Los Angeles City prosecuting attroney's office.Another brother was the first African American policeman in Los Angeles.

With the help of Los Angeles Times Scholarship,Vada graduated from the University of Southern California as a Liberal Arts major.In 1912 she married Jamaican-born John Sommerville,who was already practicing dentistry after becoming the first African American graduate of the University of Southern California's dentistry school in 1907.Initially,Vada began working as an office secretary for her husband's practice.In the wake of World War I,with the fear of her husband might be drafted,Vada decided to attend the USC dentistry school to learn the profession.Soon after her graduation she became the first licensed female African American dentist in the state of California.Dr.John Sommerville was spared of the draft,allowing the two to practice together.They shared patients until Vada retired in 1933.

The Sommervilles were community activists.They stated the Los Angeles branch of the NAACP in their home in 1914,with John as the chapter's first president.Vada retirement allowed her to thoroughly invest in her time and leadership in civic
involvement organizations,including the Los Angeles League of Women's Voters,the Council on Public Affairs,UCLA'S YWCA,and the USC Half Century Club.In each organization she encouraged young women to pursue careers in dentistry.

During the 1920s Los Angeles attracted more African Americans than any other city on the West Coast.In response,Vada & John built the Hotel Somerville to accommodate African Americans guests who visted the city.Only weeks after opening,the Hotel the hotel hosted the NAACP's National Convention in 1928. Among the guests were ciil rights activists such as William Edward Burghardt DuBois and soon-to-be Congressman Ocar De Priest of Chicago.

John also established the Lavada apartments.It was the first modern apartment building constructed in Los Angels city to house African American tenants.

On October 16,1972 the couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.Dr.Vada died seventeen days,afterward.