Bernard Shapiro Family Papers

Bernard (Bernie) Shapiro was born on April 1, 1894 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He became a printer and married Matilda (Tillie) Radiss Sussman (born March 14, 1905 in Philadelphia) in 1937. In the 1940s the couple moved to Atlanta where they opened the Triangle Poster Printing Company downtown. Tillie, who had only an eighth-grade education, was the "brains behind the company," according to her friend Zena Lovinger. Bernie and Tillie Shapiro were equal partners in the company, although he was the face. Their business later expanded into the Southern Printing Company, and the couple used their wealth to travel around the world as well as support Jewish causes. Bernie died on September 1, 1967 at age 73.

After her husband's death, Tillie became an active volunteer at anything and everything regarding Congregation Beth Jacob, which she and her husband were founding members of in the 1940s. She also volunteered at the VA Hospital until age 85. Tillie remained active in the community until her mid-90s, and died at the age of 100 at Northside Hospital in Atlanta.

[Source: Henry, D. (2005, April 24). Tillie Shapiro, 100, Ran Family Business. Atlanta Journal-Constitution, p. F8. Retrieved July 28, 2020.]