Josephine Wood, founder of the South African Library for the Blind, is born in Grahamstown

Josephine Ethel (Josie) Wood

Date: 22 Jan 1874
Updated: 20 Jan 2020

Josephine Ethel (Josie) Wood was born on 22 January 1874 in Grahamstown. She was one of six children of the first mayor of Grahamstown, George Samuel Wood and his wife, Frances Elizabeth Wood (nee Hoole). After matriculating at the Diocesan School for Girls in Grahamstown, Wood was trained as a teacher.

In 1919 Wood began her work with the blind community. She started a small library for the community in her own home. During the first year, Woods sold her art works to raise funds for her small library. The library grew with the help of international donors. The Library was officially opened in 1946 as the South African Library for the Blind in Grahamstown. Woods was also co-founder of the National Council for the blind in 1929, which today is also affiliated to international organisations including the African Union of the Bling (AFUB) and the World Blind Union.

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01SAHO, Josephine Ethel (Josie) Wood, from South African History Online, [online], Available at www.sahistory.org.za [Accessed: 20 December 2012]
02Who’sWho, Josephine Wood, from Who’s Who Southern Africa,[online], Available at www.whoswho.co.za [Accessed: 20 December 2012]

Last updated · 20 Jan 2020

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2013, January 17). Josephine Wood, founder of the South African Library for the Blind, is born in Grahamstown. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0094597

South African History Online (2013) 'Josephine Wood, founder of the South African Library for the Blind, is born in Grahamstown', South African History Online, 17 January. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0094597 (Accessed: 3 October 2026).

South African History Online, Josephine Wood, founder of the South African Library for the Blind, is born in Grahamstown [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0094597, (accessed 3 October 2026).

"Josephine Wood, founder of the South African Library for the Blind, is born in Grahamstown." South African History Online, 17 Jan. 2013, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0094597. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

South African History Online. "Josephine Wood, founder of the South African Library for the Blind, is born in Grahamstown." South African History Online. January 17, 2013. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0094597.