Artha Woods
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Artha Woods | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Cleveland City Council | |
| In office 1977–1990 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Artha Mae Bugg Atlanta, Georgia, US |
| Died | 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."
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]