Biddy Mason: Becoming a Leader

Bridget "Biddy" Mason was an African-American midwife, nurse, real estate entrepreneur, philanthropist, and former slave who influenced the history of Los Angeles and California. Learn about her fascinating life with this primary source biography that builds students’ reading skills and promotes social studies content knowledge. The dynamic primary source maps, letters, and images provide authentic nonfiction reading materials and keep students interested in learning. Text features include a glossary, index, captions, sidebars, and table of contents. This book connects to California state studies standards and the NCSS/C3 Framework and features appropriately leveled text to accommodate different reading levels. Additional features include Read and Respond and a culminating activity that prompt students to dive deeper into the text for additional reading and learning. | Biddy Mason's life began as an enslaved person, but she became a successful nurse, midwife and land owner who influenced the city of Los Angeles. Learn more about her life through intriguing primary sources that will keep students engaged in reading. |

Lorin Driggs is a children’s author who has written books on many topics, including true stories of individuals who made a positive impact on achieving freedom for all in the United States, the interesting and unique characteristics of different regions in the United States, amusement parks in America, amazing plants that survive in truly harsh conditions, and fantastic landmarks around the world. She also wrote about her own experience as a survivor of the attack on the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001. Besides being a writer, Lorin has helped create learning experiences for children and teachers involving television programs, computer-based activities, and books.
Lorin grew up in a very small town in Central Florida and moved to New York City when she was 18 years old. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English Literature from City College of the City University of New York.
Besides writing and creating things for children and teachers, Lorin loves dogs, gardening, observing all the interesting wild animals and plants in nature, volunteering at a wild bird rescue and rehabilitation center, riding her bike, and going to live theater and the movies. She currently lives with her wife in Sarasota, Florida, but who knows where they might live next!