A native of Autaugaville, Alabama. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama; Master’s Degree from Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York; and Professional Diploma in Educational Administration from C.W. Post College, Greenvale, New York. In 1988, she was conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Monrovia College in Monrovia Liberia.

In her career as an educator, she has been a teacher, a high school Dean of Women, Asst. Principal, Principal, Director of Personnel and Asst. Superintendent of Human Resources and Professional Development. Currently, she is the President of W. H. Tootle Consulting Services, specializing in etiquette consulting and Co-President of A Better You Consulting Services LLC, specializing in leadership training.

She is the immediate past president of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Incorporated, Long Island Chapter and she serves at the national level as an elected member of the National Nominating Committee, the National Chair of the Education and Ethics Committees and NGO Alternative Representative to the United Nations.