Biography

Helen Jones Woods was born on October 9, 1923 in Meridian, Mississippi, USA. She was an actress, known for International Sweethearts of Rhythm (1947), That Man of Mine (1946) and Harlem Carnival (1949). She was married to William Alfred Woods. She died on July 25, 2020 in Sarasota, Florida, USA.

She was adopted by Dr. Laurence Clifton Jones, founder of the Piney Woods Country Life School, an African American boarding school. His wife Grace encouraged her interest in music.

Trombonist for the all-female big band the International Sweethearts Of Rhythm that toured during World War II.

After quitting music due to racism she became a registered nurse. She worked at the Douglas County Hospital, spending the next 30 years devoted to nursing and social work.

Inducted into the Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame in 2007.

After the Sweethearts disbanded in 1949, Woods joined the Omaha Symphony, only to be fired after her first performance. Her father, who had a darker complexion, came to pick her up, which prompted symphony management to realize she was Black.