They’re trying to break the Guinness World Record!
Judge Arthur Bea Williams is a hero in her community. Throughout her life, she’s made many strides, making history as the first Black City Councilor, the first Black Justice of the Peace in Wichita Falls, the first Black judge, and the first Black female mayor in the city. Her accomplishments have been archived as the 5th Legend of North Texas in the Museum of North Texas History, and Mayor Stephen Santellana declared October 15 as “Arthur Bea Williams Day.”
For her birthday, a local community is organizing to send love to an 88-year-old Wichita Falls, Texas woman.
“You never think about yourself as a legend; that’s a pretty powerful word,” Williams previously told Texoma.
Many community leaders have spoken about Williams’ impact on their personal lives, including Shunta McFadden, president of the AKA Omicron Epsilon Omega Wichita Falls Chapter.
“A lot of people love Ms. Arthur Bea. She’s touched a lot of people’s lives…I worked at the courthouse for twenty years, and without people like Judge Arthur Bea, I would never have been able to be there had it not been for people like her,” McFadden said.
Now, local community members, family, and friends have gathered to show Williams the same love she’s shown others for so many years, organizing efforts to break the Guinness World Records of 350 million birthday cards sent to one person. Williams, who just turned 88 on August 2, loves birthday cards, especially funny ones.
The pioneering elder is currently under Hospice care at home, and members of the Omicron Epsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, of which Ms. Williams’ daughter Andrea is a member, have asked that cards be mailed to them. The group presented some of the cards to Williams on her birthday and plans to continue collecting cards throughout August.
Cards can be addressed to Ms. Arthur B. Williams at P.O. Box 8172, Wichita Falls, Texas 76307 or sent via Facebook here.
Happy Birthday, Ms. Williams! Because of you, we can!
Photo Courtesy of Color 940/YouTube