Billie (Womack) O’Day
I am trying to find more about Miami News women’s page journalist Billie O’Day. (Her real name was Billie Womack but while working a radio station, she was given the name Billie O’Day. She continued to use that name when she went to the News.)
In addition to being a Penney-Missouri Award winner, she was a symphony conductor. I haven’t been able to find out too much about her other than an A.P. story about her. There are no references to Billie in the Miami News archive at the Historical Museum of Southern Florida.
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3 Comments
Anonymous
I had the privilege of working with Billie O'Day at The Orlando Sentinel. She was in the Special Sections Department there. When she retired she moved to Salt Springs in the Ocala National Forest. — T. Allan Smith
Kimberly Wilmot Voss
Thanks for the comment. I will be blogging about Billie's music career later today so be sure to check back.
Bill Asti
Being a kid that grew up in Miami in the 50' and 60's, involved with music. . . I understood Billie O'Day was "the" band director at the band shell. A pioneer in the music world. She was the only female community band director in Florida at the time. This came down through Phillip Fink and Robert Bobo. . . two of the giants of the industry in South Florida. Bobo being the inspration behind PACE.
I believe Ms O'Day was originally from Arkansas. There are Womack's in NW Arkansas. Would make a great story and a compelling movie!!!!