Gladys Widdiss facts for kids

Gladys A. Widdiss (October 26, 1914 – June 13, 2012) was an important leader and artist from the Wampanoag tribe. She was a respected elder, a historian, and a talented potter. Gladys served as the President of the Aquinnah Wampanoag of Gay Head from 1978 to 1987. She also helped her tribe gain official recognition from the United States government.

The Life of Gladys Widdiss

Growing Up in Gay Head

Gladys Malonson was born on October 26, 1914, in Gay Head, Massachusetts. Her parents were William and Minnie Malonson. Her family had a long history in the area. Her great-grandfather was a whaler. Her grandfather, also named Thomas, was a hero. He saved 20 people from a shipwreck in 1884.

Gladys and her brother, Donald Malonson, grew up on their family's land. This land was near Lobsterville Road. Later in life, Donald became the Chief of the Aquinnah Wampanoag of Gay Head.

Gladys went to Gay Head School and Tisbury High School. She graduated in 1932 as the top student in her class. She wanted to become a teacher. However, the Great Depression made money very scarce. She could not afford to go to college.

Instead, Gladys moved to Boston and found work. She made hospital gowns. Soon after, she met and married Leonard Widdiss. He worked for the post office. During World War II, Leonard joined the U.S. Marines. He served in the Pacific. Gladys helped the war effort too. She painted airplane dials.

After the war, Gladys and Leonard had children. Gladys worked part-time at a department store. She also worked in an elementary school cafeteria. From 1964 to 1981, she was a salesperson at Filene's in Boston.

Leading the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe

Gladys Widdiss was a tribal elder and historian. She became the President of the Aquinnah Wampanoag of Gay Head in 1978. She served in this important role until 1987.

During her time as president, the Wampanoags achieved many goals. They gained ownership of the Gay Head Cliffs. They also acquired the cranberry bogs and Herring Creek. A major achievement was the tribe receiving federal recognition in 1987. This meant the U.S. government officially recognized them as a tribe. Gladys was very important in making this happen. After her presidency, she continued to serve. She was the vice chairman of the tribal council for many years.

In 1987, her husband, Leonard Widdiss, passed away. Gladys sold their home and moved back to Martha's Vineyard. She built a small house on her family's land in Gay Head. She then lived there full-time.

Gladys's Unique Pottery

When she was a child, Gladys made small clay items. She sold them to tourists. These included cardholders, tiny lighthouses, and paperweights. When she returned to Martha's Vineyard, she started making pottery again.

Gladys was special because she had a permit. This permit allowed her to collect colored clay from the Gay Head Cliffs. She did not use a traditional oven to bake her pottery. Instead, she baked her pieces in the sun. This was important because a kiln (oven) would make the natural colors of the clay fade.

Gladys had a special mark on her designs. She always included a cranberry. This was because her Wampanoag name was "Wild Cranberry." Her pottery has been shown all over the world. It was displayed at the Boston Children's Museum. It was also shown in a bank in Kyoto, Japan.

Later in life, Gladys and her sons, Carl and Donald, opened a shop. It was called the Howwasswee Trading Post. This souvenir shop was located at the Gay Head Cliffs. It was named after her great-grandmother, Rosabelle Howwasswee.

Later Years

In May 2011, Gladys shared her life story. She recorded it for the Martha's Vineyard Museum Oral History Center.

Gladys Widdiss passed away on June 13, 2012. She was 97 years old. She died at Martha's Vineyard Hospital in Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts. She was survived by her three children: Donald, Carl, and Dawn. She also had two grandsons and two great-grandchildren. She was buried at the Aquinnah cemetery.