Biddy Mason was born into slavery in Mississippi. In 1848 her enslaver moved west, and she walked behind his wagon train to Utah and then on to California, herding livestock and caring for her children. California was a free state, and when he tried to take them to Texas in 1856, she went to court. The judge granted freedom to her and her family. She worked as a nurse and midwife, saved her wages, and became one of the first Black women to own land in Los Angeles, giving generously to her community.
Biddy Mason
Won Her Freedom in Court
EXTRA-ORDINARY TRAIT
DETERMINATION
JFDI PILLAR
F — FOCUS
COUNTRY & REGION
USA (Americas)
LIFESPAN
1818 – 1891
GENDER
Woman
EDITION
No.038
✦ DEFINING MOMENT
On the courthouse steps in Los Angeles, holding her freedom papers, 1856.
✦ ARCHIVAL DOSSIER
The Story
✦ VERIFIED QUOTE
“If you hold your hand closed, nothing good can come in. The open hand is blessed, for it gives in abundance, even as it receives.”
✦ DID YOU KNOW?
She walked around 1,700 miles from Mississippi to Utah behind that wagon train.
✦ YOUR TURN
What's already yours by right that you haven't claimed yet?