Tillie Black Bear

Matilda "Tillie" Black Bear (Lakota: Wa Wokiye Win, meaning Woman Who Helps Everyone; December 10, 1946 – July 19, 2014) was a Lakota anti-domestic violence activist known as the Grandmother (Unci) of the Grassroots Movement of Safety for Native Women. She worked as an activist, therapist, school counselor, nonprofit administrator, and college instructor.

Early life Black Bear was born on December 10 on the Rosebud Indian Reservation as the third child of eleven children. She continued to serve as the organization's executive director.

In January 1978, Faith Spotted Eagle contacted Black Bear to take her place to discuss domestic violence in the Indian community at the U.S. Commission of Civil Rights symposium on domestic violence. Black Bear spoke about the basic resources that help women confront domestic violence that were absent on Rosebud, like housing assistance, education, and child care. 1999 Millennium Conference on Domestic Violence in Chicago, Black Bear was one of ten people who were recognized as the founders of the U.S. anti-domestic violence movement. 2004: 21 Leaders for the 21st Century, Women's eNews 2005: Woman of Courage Award, National Organization for Women