Mamie George S. Williams facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mamie George S. Williams
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| Born |
Mary Frances Miller
April 1872 |
| Died | July 8, 1951 |
| Parent(s) | Sarah Miller (mother) Reverend James Miller (father) |
Mamie George S. Williams was an important politician from Georgia. She was a member of the Republican National Committee. In 1924, she made history. She was the first woman from Georgia and the first African American woman to speak at the Republican National Convention. She is honored in the Georgia Women of Achievement hall of fame.
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Early Life and Education
Mamie Williams was born in April 1872 in Savannah, Georgia. Her parents were Reverend James and Sarah Miller. Her birth name was Mary Frances, but everyone called her Mamie.
She went to school at the Beach Institute in Savannah. Later, she studied at Atlanta University. After finishing her education, Mamie married twice. Both of her husbands passed away. Her second husband's first name was George. Because of this, people often called her Mrs. George S. Williams. Eventually, many knew her simply as "Mamie George."
Helping Her Community
Supporting War Efforts
During World War I, Mamie Williams started her work helping the community. She supported efforts at home to help the war. This included helping with Liberty Loan Drives. These drives encouraged people to buy special bonds to help pay for the war.
She also volunteered over 2,400 hours for the Toussaint L'Ouverture branch of the American Red Cross. The Red Cross helps people in need. After spending a lot of time on charity work, Mamie began to focus more on politics.
Political Career
Encouraging Voters
In 1920, a big change happened in the United States. The Nineteenth Amendment was passed. This law gave women the right to vote. Mamie Williams quickly took action. She helped so many African American women register to vote. The governor even stopped voter registration for a short time. This was so new laws could be passed.
During the 1920 United States presidential election, Mamie Williams helped over 40,000 women in Georgia vote. Her campaign to get people to vote was very strong. She organized protests at voting places and gave many speeches. Her efforts spread across 160 counties in Georgia.
National Republican Committee
In 1924, Mamie Williams made history again. She became the first woman from Georgia to join the National Republican Committee. She was also the first African-American woman in the United States to hold this position.
That same year, she was the first woman allowed to speak on the main floor of the Republican National Convention. There, she spoke up for the Georgia group. Their seats were at risk because some white politicians wanted to take power from Black Republicans. Soon after the 1924 convention, Mamie Williams started a new group. It was the first political organization made only of African American women in the U.S. It was called the National Republican League of Colored Women Voters.
Mamie Williams held a powerful political position until 1932. That year, her political influence was taken away. This was done by a group of white politicians. Their goal was to remove Black Republicans from important political jobs.
Community Leadership
Women's Clubs
Besides her political work, Mamie Williams was very active in women's clubs. In 1924, she helped start the Southeast Federation of Colored Women's Club. In the same year, she became the president of the Georgia Federation of Colored Women's Clubs.
She also served as the Vice-President of the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs. Here, she worked with famous women like Hallie Q. Brown, Mary Church Terrell, Ida B. Wells, and Mary McLeod Bethune. Mamie Williams was also involved with the Girl Scouts in Savannah. Eventually, a Girl Scout troop was named after her.
Business and Development
Mamie Williams also had a role in business. She was a director of the Carver State Bank. She also served on the board of Central State College in Macon, Georgia.
In the 1940s, Mamie Williams led efforts to create a public swimming pool and recreation area for African Americans in Savannah. She also helped get money to build a state home for African-American girls in Macon.
Death and Lasting Impact
Mamie Williams passed away in the Savannah Charity Hospital in 1951. Many people remember her as a pioneer. She opened doors for African-American women in politics.
After she died, Sol Johnson, the editor of the Savannah Tribune newspaper, wrote about her. He said:
"Mamie Williams was indeed a tireless fighter. She was a leader in state, regional, and national women's clubs, fought for a Republican delegation representative of both black and white citizens of Georgia, and scored 'firsts' for women in national politics. Although battle-tested, victorious, and at times standing as a 'lone reed' speaking on behalf of her people, Williams never flinched; she never gave in. Mamie George Williams was a beacon of light and hope for women across Georgia and the nation."
In 2018, she was honored again. She was named a Georgia Woman of Achievement.
Images for kids
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Mamie Williams was president of the Georgia Federation of Colored Women's Clubs.
