Mattiebelle Woods

Mattiebelle Woods was known for educating the public of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and documenting the lively black social scene and community in the Milwaukee area. She always remembered the importance of bringing unity and integration between all walks of life within her writings and columns for more than half a century. 

Mattiebelle Woods http://www.historicimages.com/organizations-group-people?pagenumber=9201&orderby=10&viewmode=listMattiebelle Woods was born in Louisville, Kentucky on October 31st, 1902. She was born an only child to Ira and Annabelle Woods before the three of them moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin when Mattiebelle was only 3 years old. When Mattiebelle grew older she began to work as a cleaning lady in well known hotels around Milwaukee such as the Historic Astor Hotel. She also continued her cleaning services in the homes of affluent German immigrants. She continued her education in West Division High school in Milwaukee where she, then, meet and married her first husband, George Beard at the age of 19. Very soon after their marriage, George Beard died in an automobile accident. She married again, but ultimately it had ended in divorce which resulted in the idea of marriage not being the best option for her and she continued the rest of her life without a significant other present. As her life continued, In the 1940's her daughter, Kathryn  became more mature and childhood turned into adulthood. With much more free time on her hands, Mattiebelle Woods began to indulge in the immense amount of free time which ignited the start of her future career as a journalist. 

The 1940's was a prominent time for discrimination and segregation within the communities of Wisconsin. Mattiebelle Woods noticed this negligent situation that was prominent within the surrounding community at the time and Woods wanted to make sure she could contribute a voice as much as she could to the people who couldn't. She began to become involved in the civil rights movement and the overall welfare of her community. She started to write for local black newspapers around Milwaukee. Mattiebelle had never been exposed to journalism before, however, she was a natural born writer. In 1952 she began her first major journalist job where she would continue writing about it for the next five decades. The events covered were categorized into one account of stories called "Partyline." Partyline was documented stories of club meetings, social events and parties in Milwaukee's black community. This was published by the Milwaukee edition Chicago Defender. As she continued her writings she started to become relevant in the Milwaukee Star in addition to the Chicago Defender. Both columns were local, well known, African American publication. In addition to local columns publications, Woods also contributed to national magazines such as Jet and Ebony. The majority of Woods writings had to do with events happening around the Milwaukee area, however, she was also committed to interviewing well known activists such Eleanor Roosevelt, Ray Charles and Martin Luther King Jr.

Mattiebelle Woods writing on her typewriterhttp://www.historicimages.com/advertise-book-magazine-papers?pagenumber=148   As her career continued reviews and opposing attitudes came with her columns. A lot of people insisted that the subject matter that Woods wrote about was of little importance and that it didn't have any impact to the community as a whole. A lot of critics insisted that the material that Woods wrote about what was of little importance. This didn't discourage the intentions that were set for Woods and her writing. She replied to these hateful comments by saying that it wasn't common for black people to see their name printed in the white press unless they had been arrested, so by mentioning and talking about the important events and actions committed by minorities in her community she was able to turn the tables and change the preconceived notions and stereotypes set in place by people and show all the good people can do for the community and for Milwaukee as a whole. As Woods life continued she began to become more present within civil rights work in the 40's. This was when she became involved in voter registration programs. This is where she preached the importance of voting and how voting was an individuals civic duty. She also worked the election polls often and promoted Black democratic candies for office. Mattiebelle continued to be a public figure in Milwaukee and contributing to her community until she passed away at the age of 102 years old in Milwaukee. Her last week of her life she continued to write her last "partyline" column on her own typewriter as she continued to do for over fifty years. 

Mattiebelle Woods was a strong, dedicated, involved woman. She contributed so much support and intelligence to the minority community as well as to those oppressed individuals that felt their voice didn't matter. Regardless of the hate and discrimination that she faced throughout her long years of life she continued to have a strong head on her shoulders and pursued to do what she loved until her last breath.