In a time when freedom was a dream rather than a right, Biddy Mason made a bold and unforgettable journey. Born into slavery in Georgia in 1818, Mason’s life was defined early on by hardship. But her resilience, faith, and fierce determination would lead her on a 1,600-mile walk to freedom and eventually make her one of the wealthiest women in 19th-century Los Angeles.
Her story is not just one of survival. It is a testament to the power of grit, compassion, and the incredible things one person can achieve when given the chance.
Walking Into a New Life
In the early 1850s, Biddy Mason was brought west by her enslaver, Robert Smith, a Mormon who moved his household from Mississippi to Utah and later to San Bernardino, California. During this journey, Mason walked most of the way over 1,600 miles on foot while helping care for livestock, children, and fellow travelers.
What Smith may not have known was that California was a free state. And in 1856, with the help of local abolitionists and legal allies, Mason challenged her enslavement in court. She won her freedom, along with that of her daughters and several others in her group.
This legal victory was a turning point not just for Mason’s life, but for California’s civil rights record.
Midwife, Healer, Entrepreneur
After gaining her freedom, Biddy Mason chose to stay in Los Angeles, then a growing but still rough frontier town. She worked as a midwife and nurse, assisting some of the city’s earliest medical professionals. Her skill, reputation, and deep compassion made her highly sought-after in the community.
Video:
Biddy Mason: From Bondage to Brilliance | The Inspiring Journey of a 19th-century Trailblazer”
But Mason didn’t stop at midwifery. She saved her earnings and made wise investments in real estate, purchasing land in what is now the heart of downtown LA. As the city grew, so did the value of her properties. Over time, Mason built a substantial fortune estimated to be worth over $300,000 at the time of her death in 1891.
In today’s terms, that would amount to millions of dollars.
Lifting Others as She Rose
Biddy Mason didn’t hoard her success. In fact, she became known as one of LA’s most generous philanthropists. She used her wealth to feed the poor, care for the sick, and provide shelter for the homeless. She regularly visited prisoners and was a founding member of what would become First African Methodist Episcopal Church the first Black church in Los Angeles.
Her open courtyard on Spring Street became a gathering place for people of all backgrounds. For many in need, it was a safe haven. Biddy Mason believed in using wealth not just to improve her own life, but to uplift her entire community.
A Legacy That Still Echoes
When Biddy Mason passed away in 1891, she left behind a legacy that went far beyond property deeds and bank balances. She proved that freedom is only the beginning of what a determined person can achieve.
Today, her name is honored across Los Angeles. There’s a Biddy Mason Memorial Park located near the site of her former home and businesses. Schools, buildings, and murals bear her name, reminding new generations of a woman who rose from slavery to shape the city’s future.
Video:
How is there not a MOVIE about Biddy Mason? Former Slave turned Prominent L.A. Landowner!!!
Conclusion: More Than History An Inspiration
Biddy Mason’s life is a powerful story of strength, hope, and purpose. She wasn’t handed success. She walked toward it literally. She earned every dollar, every piece of land, and every word of respect by working with integrity and heart.
In an era when Black women had almost no legal rights or opportunities, Biddy Mason built a legacy of independence, compassion, and community leadership. Her story deserves to be remembered not just as a footnote in California’s history, but as a beacon of what’s possible when faith meets courage.
