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Mattibelle Woods could light up a room. At county Democratic Party meetings, Mattibelle could lift the mood even after harsh electoral losses. She would joke with you, flash you that million dollar smile of hers, and, even though she was only about 5-feet-tall and weighed less than 100 pounds, her presence would fill the room.
You could tell when Mattibelle was happy. She would celebrate. A little bounce in her step, a little happy dance or just a hearty clap told you that she was in her element. Always an impeccable dresser, Mattibelle never went out without her jewelry or without a perfect manicure.
I would run into Mattibelle at various political events in the late 1990's and, at that time, I would often bring my young son with me. Mattibelle loved playing with him. She was almost 100 then, still writing her column in the Milwaukee Courier and still active in the party. It seemed to me that, even though she was already full of life, holding my son Kennedy enriched her and brightened her eyes even more. She came to call Kennedy her "little white grandbaby" and Mattibelle was Kennedy's black grandma.
Last year when I was running for office, I knocked on Mattibelle's door. We sat in her living room, and she filled the better part of the afternoon with rich stories. She told me about how she helped get the first black state representative elected and, when he turned out to be ineffective, she helped replace him with Isaac Coggs, who turned out to be a very effective advocate for the black community. She was proud of the plaques she received from many civic and government organizations and I was lucky enough to have co-sponsored one of them back when I served on the Milwaukee County Board.
I'll never forget that twinkle in her eye, that bounce in her step or the caring in her heart. We're all a little bit poorer for having lost Mattibelle.
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Justice: Martin Luther King Quote
All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.
Justice: Martin Luther King Quote
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Optimism: Martin Luther King Quote
Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.
Kindness: Martin Luther King Quote
Everybody can be great... because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.
Life: Martin Luther King Quote
Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.
Justice: Martin Luther King Quote
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
Love: Martin Luther King Quote
I've decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.
Kindness: Martin Luther King Quote
Life's most urgent question is, what are you doing for others?
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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