[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9335]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         IN HONOR AND REMEMBRANCE OF ARTHA ``LADY ARTHA'' WOODS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 25, 2010

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of 
my friend Artha ``Lady Artha'' Woods, of Cleveland, Ohio, whose joyous 
life was dedicated to advancing the rights and opportunities for women 
and minorities.
  Ms. Woods was a valedictorian at Cleveland Central High School. She 
won several academic awards, including a district-wide award as a Latin 
scholar. Streetwise yet elegant, articulate and refined, Ms. Woods was 
an unyielding activist. She served as a Cleveland Councilwoman, 
representing the people of Cleveland's east side with a strong and 
effective voice. She is credited with the expansion of two of 
Cleveland's premier institutions: Playhouse Square and the Cleveland 
Clinic. Moreover, she served as a leader in organizing residents to 
demand improvements to the deplorable living conditions in the Woodhill 
Homes public housing units.
  In 1941, after protesting for equal opportunity, Ms. Woods became one 
of 18 African-Americans who broke the color barrier at Ohio Bell. After 
becoming an employee, Ms. Woods boycotted the cafeteria which helped 
end segregation between black and white women. She rose to the level of 
public relations manager at Ohio Bell and stayed with the company for 
many years. While serving on the City Council, Ms. Woods ran her own 
businesses and founded one of the first-ever modeling and charm schools 
for African-American women. She managed the careers of two local boxers 
and she owned and operated the Cedar Avenue Millinery Shop, where she 
sold hats to celebrities. She founded the Fairfax Area Community 
Congress and created the Starlight Cotillion for female graduates of 
neighborhood public high schools. Additionally, Ms. Woods was 
designated an honorary Italian by Holy Rosary Church of Cleveland and 
was blessed by Pope Paul VI in Rome for her work with local Catholic 
leaders.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor, gratitude and 
remembrance of my friend, Artha ``Lady Artha'' Woods. Ms. Woods was the 
loving mother of the late Eloise and Arthur. I offer my condolences to 
her grandchildren: Gaile, (Dominic) and Deborah (Richard); to her 
great-grandchildren, Dominic, Monique, Olivia, Joshua, Lauren and 
Richard; to her devoted companion, Stanley Tolliver, Jr.; and to her 
extended family and friends.

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