Willis, Mattie Azalia, 1912-1970.

Battle Creek, Michigan singer and music teacher, member of the Battle Creek chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

From the description of Mattie Azalia Willis papers, 1928-1970. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 34422955

Mattie Robbins was born March 2, 1912 in Battle Creek, Michigan. She graduated from Battle Creek High School in 1929 where she was a member of the glee club and school chorus and where she also played the piano. She attended Battle Creek College studying piano, voice, and violin. Music would be her life's work, both as a concert performer, a radio artist, and a lecturer on music to various groups. In 1947, she was guest soloist for the Canadian Emancipation Celebration in Windsor, Ontario. In 1950, she won the Vocal Division of the Kalamazoo Symphony auditions. Mattie Willis (married in 1940 to Albert Willis) was active in various community and civic groups, including the Calhoun Community Action Agency, and the Battle Creek Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

She died in December 28, 1970

From the guide to the Mattie Azalia Willis papers, 1928-1970, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)