Biddy Mason was an African American nurse and philanthropist born in 1818 in Georgia. She was born into slavery and later gained her freedom in California in 1856. Mason became one of the first Black women to own property in Los Angeles, where she established a successful life for herself and her family. Throughout her life, Biddy Mason was known for her charitable work and dedication to helping others. She founded the first African American church in Los Angeles, First African Methodist Episcopal Church, and contributed to various community initiatives, making a lasting impact on the city and its residents.