Bertha Pleasant Williams facts for kids

Bertha Pleasant Williams (born in 1923, died in 2008) was a very important person in Montgomery, Alabama, USA. She was the first African-American professional librarian in the city.

Back in 1948, Montgomery had a rule that libraries for African-American residents needed a certified librarian to open. Bertha Williams had just finished her studies at Atlanta University. She took on this big job. She helped create the Union Street Library and worked in libraries for most of her life.

Her Life and Career

Bertha Williams was born on June 29, 1923, in Montgomery, Alabama. She was one of seven children. Her parents were Mary Green Pleasant and Reuben P. Pleasant.

Bertha loved learning. She earned her first degree in library science from Alabama State University in 1943. Then, she got her master's degree in library science from Atlanta University in 1946.

Soon after she graduated, city leaders asked Bertha to help open a new library. She said yes! She opened a branch of the city library in two rooms of a house. This house was at 409 S. Union Street.

Bertha Williams spent a lot of her career working in the Montgomery Library System. She worked in libraries for fifty years, helping many people. She passed away on November 24, 2008.

She also worked at the Alabama State University Library for fourteen years. For seven of those years, she was in charge of the rare book collection and archives.

Bertha met Robert H. Williams at Alabama State University. They got married in 1950. They had one son, named Richard Williams.

A Special Honor

In 2012, the Montgomery City Council decided to do something special. They voted to rename a library branch after her. The Rosa Parks Library branch became the Bertha Pleasant-Williams Library at the Rosa Parks Avenue Branch.

This library branch first opened in 1960. It was the second library in the city that served African-American residents. Bertha Williams became the head librarian when this branch opened. She worked there for nine years, making a big difference in her community.