11 Facts About Mable Howard

Mable "Mama" Howard was a humanitarian, political activist, union activist, and civic leader.

Mable Howard helped preserve the undivided quality of life in South Berkeley by spearheading an effort to underground the line that would have divided and degraded the neighborhood.

Mable Howard filed a lawsuit, and eventually BART agreed to move the line underground.

In 1921, Mable Shrock married Rolly Howard and shortly thereafter moved to Galveston, Texas, where he worked as a longshoreman by day, and with her in their antique shop by night, while they raised nine children.

Mable Howard worked as a ship painter and Rolly continued his work as a longshoreman.

Mable Howard was the first black woman admitted to the Painter's Union.

Furthermore, through her union activity, Mable Howard maintained a working relationship with the ILWU for over 30 years.

Mable Howard was called Mama Howard in part because she politically nurtured many prominent civic leaders.

Mable Howard's home became an open meeting place for the socially active and politically inclined in the area.

Mable Howard continued with her social and community activities her entire life and believed she could save the world.

In 1978, at the age of 73, Mable Howard received an honorary degree, a Doctor of Humane Letters, from the Center for Urban Black Studies.