Jackson, Lydia Flood, 1862-1963

Lydia Flood Jackson (b. June 6, 1862, Oakland, CA–d. July 8, 1963, Oakland, CA) was the daughter of Elizabeth Thorn Scott and Isaac Flood. Her mother opened the first school for black children in Sacramento, CA (1854) and Oakland, CA (1857). Her father Isaac Flood, was born as a slave in South Carolina and active in the California Colored Convention Movement to fight segregation in California schools. Lydia was the first black student to attend John Swett School in Oakland. Her family was one of the founding families of the Shiloh African Methodist Episcopal Church in Oakland.

She was a successful businesswoman, creating a line of beauty products and perfumes for African-American women, known as "Flood Toilet Creams". She traveled and lectured often and was an active clubwoman. Flood Jackson was the first legislative chair and first citizenship chair of the California Federation of Colored Women's Clubs. She spoke for women's suffrage at the first meeting of the California Federation (1918). She was married William Jackson. On the occasion of her 100th birthday, Flood-Jackson was honored by the City of Oakland as its oldest living native.