Artha Woods

Artha Woods
Member of the Cleveland City Council
In office 1977–1990
Personal details
Born	Artha Mae Bugg Atlanta, Georgia, US
Died	(2010-05-10)May 10, 2010 Cleveland, Ohio, US
Occupation	Businesswoman

Artha Woods (died May 10, 2010) was an American businesswoman and politician who served as a Cleveland City Council member and clerk. She also managed boxers,[1] owned a millinery shop,[2][3] and, in 1984, founded the Artha-Jon Junior Models' Guild, one of the first modeling and charm schools for Black women.[4][5]

Later inducted into the Models Hall of Fame,[1] she was often referred to as "Lady Artha." Known for her efforts to fight racism and sexism, she was "named an honorary Italian at Holy Rosary Church" in Cleveland and "was blessed by Pope Paul VI in Rome for her work with Catholic leaders," according to Cleveland's Plain Dealer, which quoted her as having said:[6]

"There was always rebellion in me, but I rebelled in a productive way, even in the face of blatant segregation."

Early life

Born as Artha Mae Bugg in Atlanta, Georgia, Artha Bugg relocated with her parents and siblings to Cleveland, Ohio where she began her schooling as a kindergarten student and later became the valedictorian of her class at Central High School. She then attended the Western Reserve School of Education, and later married, adopting the married surname of "Woods."[1]

Career

Woods worked for the Ohio Bell telephone company, first as a typist, when she was hired in 1941,[7] and later becoming the first Black switchboard operator.[2][8] She also owned and operated the Cedar Avenue Millinery Shop. Billie Holliday was one of her customers.[2][9]

Elected to represent Ward 18 in 1977, she helped the Cleveland Clinic and Cleveland Playhouse expand and pressed for minority contractors.[10] As a means to reduce graffiti, she proposed legislation that would require people to register when they purchase cans of spray point.[11][12] To reduce prostitution, she wrote down license plate numbers and made personal phone calls to talk to the wives of men interacting with the prostitutes.[13][14]

In 1978, she became the first Black president of the Modeling Association of America International.[1] Later promoted by Ohio Bell to the position of public relations manager, she retired from the company in 1982.[15]

Death and legacy

Woods died in Cleveland on May 10, 2010.[16]

Upon her death, AT&T established the "AT&T Artha Woods Scholarship Award" to honor her work in the community.[17]

References

1. Segall, Grant (2010-05-10). "'Lady Artha' Woods served on Cleveland council, managed boxers and more". Cleveland Plain-Dealer. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
2. Stokes, Louis (2016). The Gentleman from Ohio. Internet Archive. Chicago : Ohio State University Press. p. 82. ISBN 978-0-8142-7424-8.
3. Mountain, Martha S. (1975-02-04). "Hats Off to Model Lady". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. p. 7. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
4. Patmon, Bill (1 August 1996). "Artha Woods, Cleveland clerk of council, leagership defined". Call & Post; Cleveland, Ohio. pp. A2 – via Proquest.
5. "Top junior model can't wait for '66". The Plain Dealer. 1965-09-20. p. 47. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
6. "ARTHA WOODS-BLUBAUGH Obituary (2010) - Cleveland, OH - Cleveland.com". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
7. "Promoted at Ohio Bell". The Akron Beacon Journal. 1967-11-03. p. 9. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
8. Wade III, James W. (2010-05-12). "Artha Woods, political and civic leader dies". Cleveland.com. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
9. Mountain, Martha S. (1975-02-04). "Hats Off to Model Lady". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. p. 7. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
10. Oldenburg, Chloe Warner (1985). Leaps of Faith: History of the Cleveland Play House, 1915-85. C.W. Oldenburg.
11. George Hayduke (1988). Spite, Malice and Revenge: The Complete Guide to Getting Even - An A-Z Collection of Every Trick in the Book - Paladin Press. pp. 423–424.
12. "Cleveland studies law to stifle graffiti artists". The Newark Advocate. 1985-11-27. p. 3. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
13. Feagler, Dick (1978-09-29). "Public service has its limits". The Akron Beacon Journal. p. 30. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
14. "Tattling councilwoman dares ACLU wrath". The Tampa Tribune. 1978-09-29. p. 4. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
15. "AT&T to honor "Lady" Artha Woods with scholarship". Call & Post, All-Ohio edition; Cleveland, Ohio. 29 September 2010. pp. C2 – via Proquest.
16. Wade III, James W. (2010-05-12). "Artha Woods, political and civic leader dies". Cleveland.com. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
17. "AT&T to honor "Lady" Artha Woods with scholarship". Call & Post, All-Ohio edition; Cleveland, Ohio. 29 September 2010. pp. C2 – via Proquest.