First African American student to attend an integrated public school in Oakland, California; African American Civil Rights Activist; Founder of Flood Toilet Creams.

LYDIA FLOOD JACKSON DIES AT 101
San Francisco Chronicle Thursday, Jul 11, 1963 San Francisco, CA Page: 22

Lydia Flood Jackson, Oakland's oldest native daughter and the first Negro to attend public school there, died yesterday at Fairmont Hospital at the age of 101. A militant worker for the rights of women and expanded opportunities for her people, Mrs. Jackson relinquished her activities only a few years ago and entered Fairmont Hospital as a patient in 1961.

Mrs. Jackson was the daughter of the late Isaac Flood, one of California's pioneer Negro leaders. He came to Oakland during the Gold Rush bearing with him papers of freedom signed by his South Carolina master. With him came his wife Elizabeth Thorne Scott Flood who founded California's first school for Negroes in 1854 and was the institution's first teacher.

SCHOOL
Three years later, stung because public school doors were closed to Chinese, Japanese and Mexican children as well as Negroes, Mrs. Flood opened the doors of her private school to all minority groups. Mrs. Flood-Jackson had her early education in her mother's school but in 1871 her father went before the Oakland School Board and argued that the 14th and 15th Amendments to the Constitution superseded California's school segregation laws. The board listened carefully to the former slave and adopted a resolution that after July 7, 1872, "all children of African descent who may apply for admission to the Oakland public schools shall be received and assigned to suh classes as they may be fitted to enter."

So Lydia Flood, then 10 years old went to the old John Swett School as its first Negro student and graduated, then went to the old Oakland High School at night to complete her education.

SUFFRAGE
No one remembers just when she married William Jackson or when he died, but Mrs. Jackson went into the cosmetic business and traveled extensively. She was a leader of the California Federation of Colored Women's Clubs and for years was its legislative chairman.

Fittingly Mrs. Jackson's funeral will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow (Friday) at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church at 37th street and Telegraph avenue founded by her father in 1858. The Rev. J. Russell Brown will officiate and interment will be in the Flood family plot at Mountain View Cemetery. Arrangements are under direction of the Jackson Funeral Home, 1904 Adeline street, Oakland.

Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California)
10 Jul 1963, Wed
Page 15

"...Mrs. Jackson is survived by her nephew, Leslie G. Flood, of 901 40th St., owner of a printing company. Flood possesses the "Freedom Papers" which made it possible for his aunt to be born-free. She is also survived by a grand nephew, Joel Flood.."

First African American student to attend an integrated public school in Oakland, California; African American Civil Rights Activist; Founder of Flood Toilet Creams.

LYDIA FLOOD JACKSON DIES AT 101
San Francisco Chronicle Thursday, Jul 11, 1963 San Francisco, CA Page: 22

Lydia Flood Jackson, Oakland's oldest native daughter and the first Negro to attend public school there, died yesterday at Fairmont Hospital at the age of 101. A militant worker for the rights of women and expanded opportunities for her people, Mrs. Jackson relinquished her activities only a few years ago and entered Fairmont Hospital as a patient in 1961.

Mrs. Jackson was the daughter of the late Isaac Flood, one of California's pioneer Negro leaders. He came to Oakland during the Gold Rush bearing with him papers of freedom signed by his South Carolina master. With him came his wife Elizabeth Thorne Scott Flood who founded California's first school for Negroes in 1854 and was the institution's first teacher.

SCHOOL
Three years later, stung because public school doors were closed to Chinese, Japanese and Mexican children as well as Negroes, Mrs. Flood opened the doors of her private school to all minority groups. Mrs. Flood-Jackson had her early education in her mother's school but in 1871 her father went before the Oakland School Board and argued that the 14th and 15th Amendments to the Constitution superseded California's school segregation laws. The board listened carefully to the former slave and adopted a resolution that after July 7, 1872, "all children of African descent who may apply for admission to the Oakland public schools shall be received and assigned to suh classes as they may be fitted to enter."

So Lydia Flood, then 10 years old went to the old John Swett School as its first Negro student and graduated, then went to the old Oakland High School at night to complete her education.

SUFFRAGE
No one remembers just when she married William Jackson or when he died, but Mrs. Jackson went into the cosmetic business and traveled extensively. She was a leader of the California Federation of Colored Women's Clubs and for years was its legislative chairman.

Fittingly Mrs. Jackson's funeral will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow (Friday) at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church at 37th street and Telegraph avenue founded by her father in 1858. The Rev. J. Russell Brown will officiate and interment will be in the Flood family plot at Mountain View Cemetery. Arrangements are under direction of the Jackson Funeral Home, 1904 Adeline street, Oakland.

Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California)
10 Jul 1963, Wed
Page 15

"...Mrs. Jackson is survived by her nephew, Leslie G. Flood, of 901 40th St., owner of a printing company. Flood possesses the "Freedom Papers" which made it possible for his aunt to be born-free. She is also survived by a grand nephew, Joel Flood.."