BROOKFIELD, Wis. — A pioneering civil rights activist who helped establish the Waukesha County NAACP and broke racial barriers throughout her career has died. Lillie Bell Wilson passed away at 88-years-old.
She was one of the founders of the Waukesha County NAACP and led that chapter while also serving on state and national boards. At the time of her passing, she was serving as President Emeritus for the county chapter.
"She loved the ideal of diversity and making a round inclusive space for any and everyone to be loved, to be heard, to be acknowledged," said Montre` Moore, vice president of the Waukesha County NAACP and Wilson's longtime friend.
Wilson, who went by "Bell" to family and close friends, was born in Mississippi but grew up in Beloit. After graduating from college, she came to the Milwaukee-area for work, where she broke down racial barriers as often the first Black employee at many workplaces, including Schlitz Brewing Company and what is now GE Healthcare.
"Lillie was definitely the first, the first, the first and she really enjoyed it," Moore said.
Watch: Civil rights trailblazer and Waukesha NAACP co-founder Lillie Bell Wilson dies
Beyond her professional achievements, Wilson advocated for Black and brown students in Waukesha County schools, creating programming for Martin Luther King Day when it wasn't being celebrated.
"She played a tremendous role in the school system here making sure Black and brown folks were welcome and had a voice," Moore said.
Moore said Wilson's legacy was her unwavering advocacy.
"It is important if you see something—and that's wrong—you call it out. That you aren't afraid to represent for you and your community and to create spaces for those that are unlike you," Moore said.
A public memorial is expected to happen later this year for Wilson, but details are still being worked out.
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