Read the full stored bill text
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
1
A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
26-83
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
September 17, 2025
To honor Alma Woodsey Thomas, an African American artist, art teacher, and influential
modernist painter of colorful abstraction who, in 1972, became the first African
American woman to have a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art.
WHEREAS, Alma Woodsey Thomas was born on September 22nd, 1891, in Columbus,
Georgia, the eldest of four daughters born to John Harris Thomas, a businessman, and Amelia
Cantley Thomas Nanjemoy, a dress designer;
WHEREAS, she enrolled at Howard University in 1921, originally studying home
economics before switching to fine art under mentorship of James V. Herring, who was also her
professor, and, in 1924, became the first graduate of Howard’s fine arts program;
WHEREAS, upon graduation, Thomas taught art at Shaw Junior High School in
Washington, D.C. for 35 years, during which she established community arts programming and
encouraged cultural enrichment among her students;
WHEREAS, she earned a Master’s in Art Education from Columbia University in 1934
and pursued further artistic training at American University in the 1950s;
WHEREAS, after retiring in 1960, Thomas devoted herself fully to her art, pioneering a
vivid abstract style characterized by rhythmic patterns joyful color, influenced by Pointillism,
Matisse, the Washington Color School, and her own observations of nature;
WHEREAS, in 1966, she held her first retrospective exhibition at Howard University
debuting what would be later called “Alma Stripes” style—dense, mosaic-like patterns using
small daubs of vibrant acrylic color;
WHEREAS, in 1972, at age 80, she received the distinction of being her first African
American woman to hold a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art, and
simultaneously exhibited at the Corcoran Gallery of Art;
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
2
WHEREAS, in 2015, her painting Resurrection (1966) became the first artwork by Black
woman to enter the White House permanent collection;
WHEREAS, Thomas’ lifelong home at 1530 15th Street, NW, in Logan Circle, is now
recognized for its historical importance and remains listed on the National Register of Historic
Places;
WHEREAS, through her late-blooming and vibrant art, she broke barriers for women,
older artists, and African American creators— and remains a celebrated figure in American
Modernism.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
resolution may be cited as the “Alma Woodsey Thomas Recognition Resolution of 2025”.
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes the groundbreaking career of
Alam Woodsey Thomas and commemorates her life, legacy and contributions to the District of
Columbia on the 134th anniversary of her birth.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.