Rudecinda Sepulveda Dodson
American clubwoman
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
María Rudecinda Florencía Sepúlveda de Dodson (October 27, 1858 – September 11, 1930)[1] was an American landowner, clubwoman, and political hostess based in San Pedro, California. She was a member of the Sepúlveda family of California, and "a dominant figure in the social and club affairs of Southern California."[2] She was sometimes known as "the fairy godmother of San Pedro."[3]
October 27, 1858
Rudecinda Sepulveda Dodson | |
|---|---|
| Born | María Rudecinda Florencía Sepúlveda October 27, 1858 Palos Verdes Peninsula, California, U.S. |
| Died | September 11, 1930 (aged 71) San Pedro, California, U.S. |
| Occupations | Clubwoman, landowner, philanthropist, political hostess |
| Spouse | James H. Dodson |
| Relatives | Arthur McKenzie Dodson (father-in-law) |
Early life and education
Sepulveda was born in Palos Verdes, California,[3] the daughter of José Diego Sepúlveda and Maria Francisca Elisalde de Sepúlveda.[4][5][6]
Career
Dodson founded the San Pedro Woman's Club in 1905, and was active in the causes of suffrage and temperance. She donated land for a church, a fire station, a theatre,[7] a park, and other community purposes. She was a chapter president of the Native Daughters of the Golden West,[8][9][10] and a benefactor of the American Red Cross.[2][11]

Personal life and legacy
In 1881, Sepulveda married James H. Dodson, mayor of San Pedro. They had three children: James H. Jr.,[12][13] Carlos (Carl), and Florencia (Florence).[4] She died after a stroke in 1930, at the age of 71.[1] Rudecinda Sepulveda Dodson Middle School in Rancho Palos Verdes is named in her memory.[14][15]