Mable Howard facts for kids

Mable "Mama" Howard was an amazing American woman. She was born on February 3, 1905, and lived until March 29, 1994. Mama Howard was known for helping people and her community. She was also a strong leader and worked hard for fair treatment. She made a big difference in Berkeley, California.

Early Life and Leadership

Mable Daisy Shrock was born on February 3, 1905. Her hometown was Van Vleck, Texas. This was a small town near the Gulf of Mexico.

Even when she was young, Mable showed leadership skills. She went to a boarding school in Conroe, Texas. There, she helped students create their own government. Mable became the first president of this student government. She was active in politics her whole life.

Fighting for Her Community

In the 1960s, Mable "Mama" Howard took on a big challenge. The BART system planned to build train tracks above ground. These tracks would have split her community in South Berkeley, Berkeley, California.

Mable believed this would harm the neighborhood. She led a strong effort to stop it. Her goal was to make sure the train line went underground instead. This would keep the community together.

Mama Howard even filed a lawsuit against BART. Because of her hard work, BART agreed to her demands. The train line was moved underground. This saved her neighborhood from being divided.

Today, a special apartment complex honors her. It is called the Mable Howard Apartments. These homes on Alcatraz Avenue are for seniors.

Working Life and Family

In 1921, Mable Shrock married Rolly Howard. They soon moved to Galveston, Texas. Rolly worked as a longshoreman, loading and unloading ships. At night, they ran an antique shop together. They raised nine children there.

During World War II, Mable and Rolly moved. They went to the San Francisco Bay Area. They both worked for Bethlehem Steel at the Alameda Works Shipyard. Mable became a ship painter. She was the first Black woman to join the Painter's Union. After joining, she helped many other women get into the union too.

Her work in the union earned her respect. She became friends with a famous labor leader, Harry Bridges. Mable kept working with the ILWU union for over 30 years.

A Community Hub

In 1947, Mable and Rolly moved their family again. They now had ten children. They settled in South Berkeley, Berkeley, California. This was a neighborhood with many different people.

Mable was often called "Mama Howard." This was partly because she helped guide many community leaders. Her home was always open to people who wanted to make a difference. It became a meeting place for social and political groups.

Mama Howard believed she could help the whole world. She once said, "If I could put my arms around the whole world I would!" She continued her community work throughout her life.

In 1978, when she was 73, Mable received a special honor. She got an honorary degree. It was a Doctor of Humane Letters.

Honoring Her Legacy

In 2018, a documentary film was made. It was called Welcome to the Neighborhood. This film focused on Mable and her daughter, Mildred Howard. It looked at how families faced changes in their neighborhoods.

Today, many groups are working to honor Mable's contributions. One petition wants to rename the Ashby BART Station after her. The Lorin Business Association also plans to create a public space. This plaza will honor Mable Howard and be a community meeting spot. The Berkeley Historical Plaque Project is also raising money for a plaque. This plaque will remember Mama Howard's important work.