Metro - File #: 2026-0785

• File #: 2026-0785
• Type: Motion / Motion Response
• Status: Agenda Ready
• File created: 10/15/2026
• In control: Board of Directors - Regular Board Meeting
• On agenda: 10/22/2026
• Title: APPROVE Motion by Bass, Dupont-Walker, Mitchell, Butts, and Solis to direct the CEO to: Rename the Metro station currently known as "Pershing Square" to "Biddy Mason," in honor of Biddy Mason and to recognize her lasting impact on Los Angeles and the Downtown Los Angeles Community; Update current transit signage, maps, geographic information data, and relevant markers used for customer wayfinding and navigation to identify the updated Biddy Mason Station in a manner that is timely and cost-efficient to the agency; Notify the City of Los Angeles, surrounding local businesses, community organizations, and other key stakeholders of the name change in advance of the official rollout; and Launch a public awareness campaign via social media Metro's website, and any other outlets at Metro's disposal to insure the public is informed of the upcoming change.
• Sponsors: Board of Directors - Regular Board Meeting

Meeting_Body
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
OCTOBER 22, 2026

Preamble
Motion by:

DIRECTORS BASS, DUPONT-WALKER, MITCHELL, BUTTS, AND SOLIS

Rename Pershing Square Station to “Biddy Mason” Station

Born into slavery in Georgia in 1818, Biddy Mason overcame extraordinary hardship to become a monumental figure in Los Angeles history. Brought to California by her enslaver, she courageously petitioned the court for freedom for herself and her children, successfully securing their liberty in 1856. Settling in Downtown Los Angeles along Spring Street, just blocks from present-day Pershing Square, she worked diligently as a nurse and midwife. Mason invested her earnings in real estate, becoming one of the first African American female landowners in the city and eventually one of its wealthiest residents.

In 1872, Biddy Mason co-founded the First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles, establishing it in her home on Spring Street. The church served not only as a place of worship, but also as a hub for community assistance, education, and social support. Beyond her business achievements, Mason dedicated her life to philanthropy and community service, providing crucial support and care to orphans, impoverished individuals, and incarcerated Angelenos.

Metro’s Station Naming Policy states that property naming will identify transit facilities as to provide immediate recognition and identification for daily riders as well as periodic users and visitors. The naming policy also adds that names should avoid inclusion of unnecessary words that may describe the property's location but are not part of that location's commonly known name.

Pershing Square station is an underground rapid transit station on the B Line and D Line of the Los Angeles Metro Rail system, placed next to Pershing Square park. In September of 2026, the Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously to rename Downtown Los Angeles’ Pershing Square in honor of Bridget “Biddy” Mason.

Subject
SUBJECT: RENAME P...