María Rudecinda Florencía Sepúlveda de Dodson (October 27, 1858 – September 11, 1930) 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." She was sometimes known as "the fairy godmother of San Pedro."
Early life and education Sepulveda was born in Palos Verdes, California, the daughter of José Diego Sepúlveda and Maria Francisca Elisalde de Sepúlveda.
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, a park, and other community purposes. She was a chapter president of the Native Daughters of the Golden West, and a benefactor of the American Red Cross.
Personal life and legacy In 1881, Sepulveda married James H. Dodson, mayor of San Pedro. They had three children: James H. Jr., Carlos (Carl), and Florencia (Florence). She died after a stroke in 1930, at the age of 71. Rudecinda Sepulveda Dodson Middle School in Rancho Palos Verdes is named in her memory.
References
External links
"Roman D. Sepulveda and Rudecinda Sepulveda Dodson on deck of liner California, San Pedro, 1929", a photograph in the UCLA Library Digital Collections