Louise Nall is a remarkable and inspiring 96-year-old Black woman from Montgomery, Alabama who has been selling The Tuskegee News newspapers for over 56 years and counting.
Nall became a newspaper vendor when her son, who was 4 at the time, wanted to earn some pocket money.
“So I told him we were going to the news office to get some papers. We went there and got 100 papers. Sold those papers so fast we had to go back and get some more,” Nall told WSFA.
When Walter resumed schooling and his usual activities, Louise’s passion for selling papers enlarged overtime. She became invested in the profession.
Now, at the age of 96, she spends two days a week outside the local Piggly Wiggly store, selling papers and interacting with passersby.
Speaking about her lifestyle, Nall remarked, “I’ve never been a sitter. No, not me. Everything life offers, I enjoy it,” Nall said.
Scott Richardson from The Tuskegee News acknowledges Louise’s significance in the community, stating, “She delivers 125-150 papers a week.’
Selling newspapers also landed Nall the opportunity to teach her children about financial management.
“When you see something you want and can’t afford it now, just get you a job,” said Nall. “Put you a quarter or fifty cents in there every week. You’ll be surprised at how that adds up for you.”
Louise Nall is an accurate definition of motivation and passion. Becoming a newspaper vendor is a job that is hardly embraced. But Louise is still focused. Her customers value every bit of her time.
“For about the first 15 years I knew her, it was like, ‘How are you, Ms. Nall? Oh, I’m lovely,” said Richardson.
Every Wednesday and Thursday, Nall is outside the Piggy Wiggly store from 10:30 in the morning until her newspapers are all sold out.
