Honoring Catherine T. Willis

Advocate, Educator, Founder of Urban Strings Columbus

Catherine Talmadge Willis is a lifelong educator, community activist, and cultural visionary whose work has uplifted generations of children and families across Central Ohio. Best known as the founder of Urban Strings Columbus, Catherine has been a catalyst for positive change in education, the arts, and family advocacy for over six decades.

A Life Rooted in Purpose

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, to parents who were part of the Great Migration, Catherine was raised in a tight-knit public housing community where the “village” model shaped her early values. Inspired by the women around her—mentors who believed in lifting all children as their own—Catherine’s life has been defined by a commitment to moving others forward.

From organizing neighborhood clubs for girls to working with foster children alongside longtime activist Clifford Tyree, her dedication to community enrichment has never wavered.

A Champion of Education

A former Columbus City Schools teacher, Catherine’s passion for education extended well beyond the classroom. She became an active volunteer and later a board member of I Know I Can, a program ensuring every Columbus City Schools student has a path to higher education.

Catherine also helped launch the Lunch Bunch, a collective of retired educators who fund scholarships for Columbus students. Through this group, six $3,000 scholarships are awarded annually via the Helen Jenkins Davis Scholarship Fund.

Education Through Culture & Strategy

Catherine has always believed that “being different doesn’t mean being deficient.” Through F.A.C.E. (Friends of Art for Community Enrichment), which she co-founded, she’s brought together youth and elders to explore African culture, including installing a permanent African art exhibit at the MLK Jr. Library.

She also initiated the innovative Chess in the (Neighbor)Hood program at the Martin Luther King Library, later expanding it to other libraries and East High School—empowering young players to teach others and sharpen critical thinking.

Urban Strings Columbus

In 2007, Catherine founded Urban Strings Columbus with just two students from Champion Middle School. Today, the program has grown to over 20 youth string musicians ages 11 to 18, with over 100 alumni. Urban Strings has performed across the southern U.S., at HBCUs, and in collaboration with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.

The program’s mission is to support urban and minority youth in mastering classical string instruments—opening doors, building confidence, and nurturing community pride through music.

In 2019, Catherine received the Columbus Symphony’s Music Educator Award for Community Education, honoring her inspiring influence on children and adults throughout Central Ohio.

Awards & Recognition

Catherine’s leadership has been celebrated by numerous institutions. Her many honors include:

• YWCA Women of Achievement (1992)

• Jefferson Award (1985 & 2015)

• Columbus Public Schools Golden Ruler Award (2003)

• Capital Women of Distinction (2012)

• Central Ohio Senior Hall of Fame (2015)

• Greater Columbus Arts Council – Arts Educator Award (2016)

• Harrison Sayre Award – The Columbus Foundation (2020)

A Legacy of Leadership and Service

Catherine has contributed her talents to numerous civic efforts:

• Founding member of F.A.C.E.

• Supporter of the United Negro College Fund

• Member of the SOUL Committee, which promoted African-American art and culture

• Advocate through The Ohio Wesleyan University Upward Bound Program

• Proud Delta Sigma Theta Sorority alumna (70-year member)

• Lifelong member of The Links, Twin Rivers Chapter

Through these affiliations, she has mentored countless young people and continually lifted others as she climbed.

A Tribute from Larry James

Equity Partner

Catherine represents the very best in education, philanthropy, and purpose-driven living. I’ve known her for over 30 years. She was the first person I told when I proposed to my wife, Donna. Her advice: ‘Don’t disappoint her or us. Be honorable. Show her how much you love her.’

When I became President of the King Arts Complex, Catherine took me under her wing. She began my education in Black arts leadership—and didn’t stop there. She told me, ‘Give me $500.’ She bought my first piece of Black art and said, ‘You have the opportunity to do something meaningful. Embrace it. Do it with grace.’ That grace took years—but she never expected perfection. She expected progress.

Catherine set the standard. She was the model. She challenged us—all of us—to do more. And we did, because it was Catherine asking. She lived by the motto: ‘Lift while you climb.’

I am who I am today because of Catherine. A debt I will continue to repay.”*

A Life That Changed Thousands

When asked how she’d like to be remembered, Catherine Willis replied simply:
“As someone who made a difference in the life of a child.”

By any measure, she has made that difference—thousands of times over.

The League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Columbus is honored to celebrate Catherine T. Willis for a lifetime of dedication to education, cultural enrichment, and empowering the next generation.