Mary Ellen Rose Butler (b. May 8, 1940) is a journalist and author. She was the editor of the "Lifestyle" section of the Oakland Tribune from 1979-1983, then later the of editor the Editorials page. She is the daughter of YMCA director and city council member Josh Rose.

She authored several books, including Oakland Welcomes the World and Prophet of the Parks: The Story of William Penn Mott about former Oakland parks director William Penn Mott, Jr. and Heart and Soul: The Remarkable Courtship and Marriage of Josh and Virginia Craft Rose about her parents. 2

Butler attended Durant Elementary School, Herbert Hoover Junior High School and Oakland Technical High School, graduating in 1957.

While in the Congressional Fellowship Program, Butler wrote speeches, press releases and position papers for United States Senator Alan Cranston and Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm in 1972 and 1973. She worked as a reporter for the Washington Star from 1973 to 1978. 1

Links and References

  1. Mary Ellen Butler on TheHistoryMakers.com
  2. Concord author pens book on black trailblazers in Oakland, her parents East Bay Times May 28, 2019