Mildred Pitts Walter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mildred Pitts Walter
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Official Colorado Women's Hall of Fame Portrait
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| Born | Mildred Pitts September 9, 1922 Sweetville, Beauregard Parish, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Occupation | Educator and writer |
| Genre | Children's literature |
| Spouse |
Earl Walter
(m. 1947; died 1965) |
| Children | 2 |
Mildred Pitts Walter (born September 9, 1922) is an American author who writes books for children. She is famous for her stories that feature African-American characters. Mildred Pitts Walter has written more than 20 books, including both fiction (made-up stories) and nonfiction (true stories). Many of her books have won or been recognized by the Coretta Scott King Awards, which celebrate excellent books by Black authors and illustrators. Mildred Pitts Walter was born in Louisiana and later moved to Denver, Colorado. In 1996, she was honored by being included in the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame. She also wrote a book about her own life, called Something Inside So Strong, which came out in 2019.
Contents
About Mildred Pitts Walter
Mildred Pitts was born on September 9, 1922. She was the youngest of seven children. Her father, Paul Pitts, cut logs for a living. Her mother, Mary Pitts, was a beautician and helped deliver babies. Mildred was born in Sweetville, Louisiana, and grew up in Gaytine. Both were small towns where people were separated by race.
Education and Early Career
Mildred Walter went to Southern University at New Orleans and earned a bachelor's degree in English. She paid for her college by working in factories that made things for the military during World War II. After graduating in 1944, Walter moved to Los Angeles. There, she worked as a school clerk. She also completed special training to become an elementary school teacher at California State College.
Family and Activism
In Los Angeles, Mildred met Earl Walter. They got married in 1947 and had two sons. Earl passed away in 1965. Both Mildred and Earl were very active in the civil rights movement. They were members of a group called the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). Earl even became a national leader for the group.
Life in Colorado
In 1970, Walter moved to Denver, Colorado. She continued her education and earned a master's degree in education. She worked as a helper for a higher education group in Denver. She also taught and gave talks at Metro State College. Mildred Pitts Walter turned 100 years old in 2022.
Mildred Pitts Walter's Books
Mildred Walter started writing because she noticed something important. There were not many books for young readers about Black children that were written by Black authors. She wanted to change that.
Fiction Books for Kids
Her first book, Lillie of Watts, came out in 1969. It was about a girl growing up in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles. She wrote a second book about Lillie in 1971. Some of her other popular fiction books include Ty's One-Man Band (1980), Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World (1986), and Mariah Loves Rock (1988).
Nonfiction Books for Kids
Walter also wrote nonfiction books, which tell true stories. One of these is Mississippi Challenge (1992). This book tells the history of African Americans in Mississippi. It covers their journey from slavery through the American Civil War, the time after the war called Reconstruction, and the efforts of civil rights activists to change unfair voting laws. Critics said it was a "compelling account" that shared an important message about freedom.
Her historical fiction novel, The Second Daughter: The Story of a Slave Girl (2011), is based on a real person. It tells the true story of Elizabeth Freeman, also known as Mum Bett. She was a formerly enslaved woman who successfully sued for her freedom in court. Experts say that Walter's books are still very important today. They help readers see different points of view and experiences.
Her Autobiography
In 2019, the University Press of Mississippi published Mildred Walter's autobiography. An autobiography is a book someone writes about their own life. Her book is called Something Inside So Strong: Life in Pursuit of Choice, Courage, and Change.
Awards and Honors
Mildred Pitts Walter has received many awards for her writing. In 1996, she was inducted into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame.
Her books have won these important prizes:
- Coretta Scott King Award Winner: Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World (1986)
- Coretta Scott King Award Honors: Because We Are (1983); Trouble's Child (1985); Mississippi Challenge (1992)
- Jane Addams Children's Book Award Honors: Second Daughter: The Story of a Slave Girl (1996)
Selected Works
Children's Fiction
- Ty's One-Man Band (1980) ISBN: 9780590075800
- My Mama Needs Me (1983) ISBN: 9780688016708
- Because We Are (1983) ISBN: 9780688022877
- Brother to the Wind (1985) ISBN: 9780688038113
- Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World (1986) ISBN: 9780688066451
- Second Daughter: The Story of a Slave Girl (1996) ISBN: 9780590482820
Children's Nonfiction
- Mississippi Challenge (1992) ISBN: 9780027923018
- Kwanzaa: A Family Affair (1995) ISBN: 9780688115531
Autobiography
- Something Inside So Strong: Life in Pursuit of Choice, Courage, and Change (2019) ISBN: 9781496825834
