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Mildred Pitts Walter

ミルドレッド・ピッツ・ウォルター

Midorreddo Pittsu Wōrutā

Aliases: Mildred Pitts

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1922-09-09 （Sweetville, Beauregard Parish, Louisiana）
Nationality
American
Languages
English
Residence History
Beauregard Parish, Louisiana (Sweetville, Gaytine) → Los Angeles, California → Denver, Colorado

Career

Occupations
Educator, Writer
Active Years
1969-2019
Affiliations
Western Interstate Commission of Higher Education, Metro State College
Memberships
Congress of Racial Equality (CORE)

Education

Southern University at New Orleans
English
Degree: Bachelor's degree
Period: WWII頃
Year of Graduation: 1944
Country: United States
Earned tuition by working in defense industry during WWII
California State College
Elementary education
Degree: Certification
Country: United States
Worked as school clerk
Antioch College extension in Denver
Education
Degree: Master's degree
Period: 1970年代
Country: United States

Awards

Coretta Scott King Award
1986
Work: Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World
Category: Children
Organization: American Library Association
Result: Winner
Coretta Scott King Award Honor
1983
Work: Because We Are
Category: Children
Organization: American Library Association
Result: Honor
Coretta Scott King Award Honor
1985
Work: Trouble's Child
Category: Children
Organization: American Library Association
Result: Honor
Coretta Scott King Award Honor
1992
Work: Mississippi Challenge
Category: Nonfiction
Organization: American Library Association
Result: Honor
Jane Addams Children's Book Award Honor
1996
Work: Second Daughter: The Story of a Slave Girl
Organization: Jane Addams Peace Association
Result: Honor
Colorado Women's Hall of Fame
1996
Result: Inducted

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World

1986 Children's literature

A young African American boy learns baking from his grandfather and grows.

FamilyGrowthAfrican American culture

Ty's One-Man Band

1980 Children's literature

A boy Ty expresses himself through music.

MusicSelf-expression

Mississippi Challenge

1992 Children's nonfiction

History of African Americans in Mississippi from slavery to civil rights.

Civil rightsHistoryRacism

Second Daughter: The Story of a Slave Girl

1996 Historical fiction

Based on the true story of slave girl Mum Bett who sued for freedom.

SlaveryFreedomWomen

Something Inside So Strong: Life in Pursuit of Choice, Courage, and Change

2019 Autobiography

Autobiography of a life in pursuit of choice, courage, and change.

Civil rightsLifeChange

Bibliography

  • Lillie of Watts (1969)
  • Lillie of Watts Takes a Giant Step (1971)
  • Ty's One-Man Band (1980)
  • My Mama Needs Me (1983)
  • Because We Are (1983)
  • Brother to the Wind (1985)
  • Trouble's Child (1985)
  • Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World (1986)
  • Mariah Loves Rock (1988)
  • Mississippi Challenge (1992)
  • Kwanzaa: A Family Affair (1995)
  • Second Daughter: The Story of a Slave Girl (1996)
  • Something Inside So Strong (2019)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Realism from African American perspectivesAccessible narrative for children
Recurring Motifs
African American child protagonistsRacism and overcoming itFamily and community

Legacy

Known for children's books featuring African American protagonists, winner of Coretta Scott King Award, inducted into Colorado Women's Hall of Fame. Celebrated 100th birthday.

Trivia

  • Celebrated her 100th birthday in 2022.
  • Active in civil rights with husband Earl Walter in CORE.