Mary Ellen Pleasant (August 19, 1814 [a] – January 11, 1904 [b]) was an American entrepreneur, financier, real estate magnate and abolitionist. She was arguably the first self-made millionaire …

Mary Ellen and other Black activists fought for equal access to the ballot box, education, and public transportation. In 1866, she successfully sued two streetcar companies for refusing to …

Pleasant remarried in 1848 and set sail for San Francisco in 1852, probably to escape reprisal for her abolitionist work. Her arrival coincided with the peak of gold fever in California.

Public interest in the vibrant abolitionist and San Francisco icon Mrs. Mary Ellen Pleasant (~1810-1904) continues to grow. She has been noted in various media outlets including several recent …

Feb 14, 2020 · Mary Ellen Pleasant may not be a household name, but her story rivals that of any great American entrepreneur. In the 1800s, Pleasant became one of the first African-American …

Feb 11, 2025 · Outside of white high society, Pleasant was a dedicated abolitionist who made her biracial identity known to the Black community. Known as the “Black City Hall,” she served as …

As Pleasant was establishing her financial empire in California, she worked as a leading agent on the western route of the Underground Railroad, helping fugitives to safety. Her abolitionist …

An ardent abolitionist, Pleasant uses much of her wealth to help finance the Underground Railroad, which offers assistance and shelter to formerly enslaved people escaping the South.

Historical accounts and the memoirs of Mary Ellen "Mammy" Pleasant paint very conflicting portraits of her early years, while her later years are cloaked in scandalous reports and mystery.

Dec 7, 2024 · Who was Mary Ellen Pleasant? Known as the "Mother of Civil Rights in California," Mary Ellen Pleasant was a remarkable woman who made significant contributions to the …