Mildred Pitts Walter facts for kids

Mildred Pitts Walter (born September 9, 1922 – died May 2026) was an amazing American author who wrote many books for young readers. She is famous for her stories that feature African-American main characters. Mildred Pitts Walter wrote over 20 books, including both made-up stories (fiction) and true stories (nonfiction). Many of her books received special honors, like the Coretta Scott King Award. She was born in Louisiana, later moved to Denver, and was recognized in the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame in 1996. In 2019, she shared her life story in an autobiography called Something Inside So Strong: Life in Pursuit of Choice, Courage, and Change.

Mildred Pitts Walter: A Writer for Young Readers

Early Life and Education

Mildred Pitts Walter was born on September 9, 1922. She was the youngest of seven children. Her father, Paul Pitts, worked as a log cutter, and her mother, Mary Pitts, was a beautician and midwife. Mildred grew up in small towns in Louisiana, like Sweetville and Gaytine. These communities had unfair rules that kept people of different races apart.

Mildred studied English and earned her bachelor's degree from Southern University at New Orleans. To pay for her studies, she worked in factories that made supplies for the military during World War II. After graduating in 1944, she moved to Los Angeles. There, she worked as a school clerk and also completed training to become an elementary school teacher.

Fighting for Civil Rights

In Los Angeles, Mildred met Earl Walter. They married in 1947 and were together until Earl passed away in 1965. Both Mildred and Earl were very involved in the Civil Rights Movement. They worked to achieve equal rights for all people. They were members of a group called the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). Earl even became a national leader for this important organization. Mildred and Earl had two sons.

In 1970, Mildred Pitts Walter moved to Denver, Colorado. She continued her education and earned a master's degree in education. She worked as an advisor for higher education and also taught at Metro State College. Mildred Pitts Walter lived a long and full life. She celebrated her 100th birthday in September 2022 and passed away in May 2026, at the age of 103.

Her Journey as an Author

Mildred Pitts Walter started writing because she noticed something important. There were not many books for kids that featured Black children, especially books written by Black authors. She wanted to change that. Her first book, Lillie of Watts, came out in 1969. It told the story of a girl growing up in the Watts area of Los Angeles. She wrote a sequel, Lillie of Watts Takes a Giant Step, in 1971. Over her career, she published more than 20 books for children. 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).

Stories of Courage and History

Mildred Pitts Walter also wrote important nonfiction books. One of these is Mississippi Challenge (1992). This book shares the history of African Americans in Mississippi. It covers their journey from a time when they were not free, through the Civil War, and the period of Reconstruction. It also highlights the brave efforts of civil rights activists who fought against unfair voting laws. Reviewers praised the book for its "compelling account" and for revealing "eye-opening material" about the fight for fairness.

In 2011, Walter published The Second Daughter: The Story of a Slave Girl. This historical fiction novel tells the true story of Mum Bett. Mum Bett was a woman who had been enslaved but bravely went to court and won her freedom. A writer named Karen Chandler said that books like The Second Daughter are still very important today. They help show that stories from all backgrounds are valuable and needed.

In 2019, Mildred Pitts Walter's own life story was published. It was called Something Inside So Strong: Life in Pursuit of Choice, Courage, and Change.

Awards and Recognition

Mildred Pitts Walter received many honors for her important work. In 1996, she was welcomed into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame. Her books also won these special awards:

• 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)

Explore Her Books

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