Kickass Women in History: Bridget “Biddy” Mason

While I look for Kickass Women all over the world, I admit to being partial to stories from my home state of California. This month, I want to introduce you to Biddy Mason, a woman who fought successfully for her freedom and went on to purchase land all over Los Angeles, leaving a lasting legacy for her family and community. Bridget “Biddy” Mason was born in Mississippi in 1818. Born into slavery, she was forced to work in Georgia, South Carolina, and again in Mississippi before being sold to a Mormon who wanted to relocate to Salt Lake City, Utah. She walked 1,700 miles to Utah, caring for her three children and being a midwife, cook, and cattle herder for the wagon train. Biddy’s life changed when the slaver took her to California, where slavery was illegal. During the journey she met Charles H. and Elizabeth Flake Rowan, a free Black couple, who told her that slavery was illegal in California and to go to court. Biddy Mason It took five years, but Biddy was finally able to sue for release along with her family. Her slaver tried to force her to move with him to Texas, but Biddy’s free Black friends told the court and she was taken into protective custody. Under California Law, Bl...