Lydia Flood Jackson

Lydia Flood Jackson (June 6, 1862 – July 8, 1963) was an American businesswoman, suffragist, and clubwoman.

Family background and early life

Lydia Flood was born in Brooklyn, California now annexed to Oakland, California. She taught here until she married Flood's father, Isaac Flood. Flood's father Isaac Flood was born a slave in South Carolina in 1816. He bought his freedom and moved west to California during the Gold Rush where he worked as a laborer and tradesman.

Elizabeth Thorn Scott and Isaac Flood married in 1855 and moved to Oakland. They were among the earliest African American residents and were a prominent family. Isaac Flood made a fortune on real estate in the area and they both were advocates of African American civil rights and education. They also helped create Shiloh African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in 1858. In 1857, they had a son named George Francis Flood who is considered "the first colored child" born in Oakland. After completing her schooling, she married William Jackson.

Activism Lydia Flood Jackson continued her family's legacy to fight for African American civil rights and was a champion of women's rights. She was an active clubwoman, and first legislative chair and first citizenship chair of the California State Federation of Colored Women's Clubs. saying: "Who can break through a phalanx of determined, noble-minded, upright women, backed by the power of the Holy Spirit? Suffrage stands out as one of the component factors of democracy; suffrage is one of the most powerful levers by which we hope to elevate our women to the highest planes of life...Lucretia Mott, Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton saw by an eye of faith this gleaming field sixty years ago, and their determination, true judgement and executive ability has made it possible for you and me to sit in the shade of the Suffrage Oak, a grand old tree, whose branches will soon top every State in the Union." By the 1940s, she was living with her nephew, Leslie Flood, and his wife Julia T. Flood and son Robert F. Flood on 2319 Myrtle Street.

On the eightieth anniversary of the Shiloh African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, now known as the First African Methodist Episcopal Church, Jackson addressed the congregation and spoke of her mother's contributions to the church and education. She is interred at Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland, California.

The Flood Family Papers are archived by the Oakland Public Library, in the African American Museum and Library at Oakland which includes Lydia Flood Jackson's funeral program, letters and family photographs.