Elisabeth Omilami facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elisabeth Omilami
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Omilami in 2011.
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Elisabeth Williams
February 18, 1951 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
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| Other names | Elisabeth Williams-Omilami |
| Occupation |
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| Organization | Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless (Director) |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 2 |
| Parent(s) | Hosea Williams Juanita Terry Williams |
| Family | Porsha Williams (niece) |
Elisabeth Omilami, born Elisabeth Williams on February 18, 1951, is an American activist and actress. She is known for her work helping people and for her roles in movies and TV shows.
Elisabeth Omilami's Life and Work
Elisabeth Williams-Omilami was born in Atlanta, Georgia. Her parents were both important activists: her father, Hosea Williams, and her mother, Juanita T. Williams, who was a Georgia State Representative. Elisabeth grew up during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. This meant she was often involved in important events from a young age.
After finishing college, she started her own theater group called People's Survival Theatre. This group put on five plays every year. Later, she moved to New York City when her husband, Afemo Omilami, received a scholarship to New York University. In New York, Elisabeth worked in arts management and as an assistant. She also directed and acted whenever she could, supporting her family. In 1985, she moved back to Atlanta. There, she continued to act on stage, in films, and on television. Elisabeth earned her college degree in Theatre from Hampton University.
Helping Others: Her Activism
Elisabeth's parents took her to Civil Rights marches and events across the Southern United States from the time she was very young. During the busiest time of the Civil Rights Movement, she attended a boarding school called Wasatch Academy in Utah. She was the only African-American student there.
For over 15 years, Elisabeth worked behind the scenes for her father's organization, Hosea Feed The Hungry and Homeless. After her father passed away in November 2000, she became the leader of the organization. She helped it grow a lot, increasing its budget from $200,000 to over $1.5 million.
Elisabeth worked hard to create programs that would help people who were struggling. These programs provided basic needs for the working poor and homeless. They also helped people become more independent. She expanded these services from just four months a year to year-round help. She set up medical clinics, gave out clothes, offered barber and beautician services, and created educational programs for children. Her organization also delivered over 22,000 dinners to homes each year.
Elisabeth has traveled and spoken around the world to help with international relief efforts. For example, she started and runs a school for children in need in Mindanou, Philippines. She also supports several orphanages in Haiti and Uganda.
Elisabeth Williams-Omilami has received many awards for her humanitarian work. Some of these include:
- An honorary membership in the Zeta Phi Beta sorority.
- A special recognition from the Georgia State Senate for her community service.
- Being named one of the 100 Women of Influence by the Atlanta Business League.
- The Humanitarian Award from Women In Film.
- The Outstanding Citizen award from the Secretary of State of Georgia.
- Being named a Goodwill Ambassador for the State of Georgia.
- Being inducted into the YWCA Women of Achievement Academy.
- Awards from companies like Burger King and Kraft Foods.
- The Women Drum Major for Justice award from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
- The Phenomenal Woman award from T. D. Jakes.
- The Community Service Award from the Daughters of Isis.
- The M.L.K. Community Service Award from Emory University.
- The Fannie Lou Hamer Unsung Heroine Award from The National Conference of Black Mayors.
Her Work in Theatre and Film
Elisabeth Williams-Omilami started one of Atlanta's first theater companies, People's Survival Theater. She also created the "Summer Artscamp," which offered art programs for young people from families with lower incomes for over seven years.
She is a playwright, meaning she writes plays. One of her plays is called There Is A River In My Soul. She used to be a member of both the Georgia Council For The Arts and the Fulton County Arts Council. She strongly believes that art should be a lasting part of society.
As an actress, she has performed at the Alliance Theatre in A Christmas Carol. In early 2002, she acted in Left Hand Singing at the Jewish Theatre of The South. You might also have seen her in the HBO movie Boycott, or on TV shows like In the Heat of the Night and the award-winning I'll Fly Away.
