Frances Harriet Williams facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frances Harriet Williams
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Williams in the early 1940s
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| Born | 1898 Danville, Kentucky, U.S.
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| Died | 1992 (aged 93–94) Newton, Massachusetts, U.S.
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| Nationality | American |
Frances Harriet Williams (1898–1992) was an amazing American woman who worked hard to make life fair for everyone. She was an activist, meaning she fought for important causes. She was also a civil servant, which means she worked for the government to help people. Frances was born in Danville, Kentucky, but she grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. She went to college and earned a special degree in political science.
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Early Life and Education
Frances Williams grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. She was a brilliant student. She graduated at the top of her class from Sumner High School. Being the "valedictorian" meant she was the best student.
After high school, Frances wanted to go to Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts. At first, the college was unsure about accepting her. This was because she was an African American. But her mother, Fannie Miller Williams, insisted that Frances should go there. Frances enrolled and graduated in 1919. She earned a special honor called Phi Beta Kappa. This award is given to students with excellent grades.
Williams continued her studies to learn more about helping people. She earned a master's degree in social work. Later, she studied political science at the University of Chicago. In 1931, she earned another master's degree. She even helped with a book about African American politicians in Chicago.
Working for Change
Frances Williams dedicated her life to helping others. She worked in many important roles. She focused on improving race relations in America.
Working with the YWCA
From 1935 to 1940, Frances worked for the YWCA of the United States. The YWCA is an organization that helps women and girls. Her job was to promote understanding between different racial groups. She helped create programs to bring people together.
Frances wrote several pamphlets for the YWCA. These booklets helped white girls learn about the lives of African American girls and women. Some of her pamphlets were "Pudge and Her Friends" and "Pudge Gets a Job." She also wrote The Business Girl Looks at the Negro World.
Government Service
Frances also worked for the United States government. From 1940 to 1946, she was an advisor on race relations. She worked for the federal Office of Price Administration. This office helped control prices during World War II.
In 1947, she worked for President Harry Truman. She was an assistant for his President's Committee on Civil Rights. This committee worked to protect the rights of all Americans. Later, she helped Senator Herbert H. Lehman of New York State with new laws.
NAACP and Legacy
Frances Williams was also a board member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The NAACP is a very important organization. It works to ensure equal rights for all people.
Frances Harriet Williams passed away in 1992 in Newton, Massachusetts. Her family created an award in her name at Mount Holyoke College in 1981. The Frances Harriet Williams Award celebrates students who show excellent academic achievement.
