Novella Williams, civil rights dynamo and Philly “treasure,” dead at 87

Her family said she died of heart failure last Friday.

Williams was born in North Carolina and moved with her late husband, Thomas Williams, to Philly in 1948.

The Inquirer reports that she is survived by a son, also named Thomas, and daughters Michelle Murphy and Pamela; and her nephew, Willis Daniels, who she raised, along with the late Frank Daniels and Charles Stewart, when her sister died.

Viewing will be 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 29; and 8 to 10 a.m. Monday, March 30, at White Rock Baptist Church, 5240 Chestnut St., Philadelphia.

The funeral will follow at the church Monday at 10 a.m. Monday.

Donations may be made to the Kim Denise Williams Health and Education Foundation, Box 28788, Philadelphia Pa. 19151.

Kim Denise Williams was the activist’s oldest daughter, who died of cancer at age 40 in 1998. Cancer was one more fight the indomitable Novella Williams took on in founding the foundation.

An online biography atThe Gene Banks Foundationwebsite says this of her amazing life:

“Novella Williams never ran from challenge or adversity, but rather embraced it as an opportunity to make a difference in the world. At the time of Dr. Martin Luther King’s death, (she) was granted an audience with the United Nations and spoke on behalf of African American community and gave testimony on the impact Dr. King’s death had on her people.

“It was through this audience that Ms. Williams was appointed to the NGO body of the United Nations and was asked to address the United States Congress on what action steps needed to happen within the walls of the UN and was also asked to speak to Congress on the topic of equality and social reform.

“In the late 70’s, Ms. Williams led the charge, petitioning President Jimmy Carter, for equality amongst Amtrak Workers. Through her efforts, $500 million dollars were earmarked throughout the nation to commission equal opportunity employment. Ms. Williams also challenged organizations and establishments such as Conrail and The Port Authority to provide fair and equal pay and advancement opportunities to minorities.

“Ms. Williams was responsible for the rebuilding of the YMCA, now called the Lucien Blackwell Library, which provided youth services to thousands of young people. In her quest for equality, Ms. Williams successfully petitioned CEOs of major corporations to build a new YMCA, instead of renovating the old one. She was also the catalyst for change on the 52nd Street Business Corridor in bringing minority owned business to the corridor since the majority of the patrons were African American residents.

“Novella Williams also sought to get the first African American female elected to Philadelphia council and was the driving force in the African American community adoption and re-election of Mayor Frank Rizzo. Through her diligence and tireless efforts in her community, Ms. Williams was granted direct access to Major Rizzo, even an office within the walls of City Hall, and was instrumental in bringing social reform to her community during his regime.”