Arvonne Fraser facts for kids

The Arvonne Fraser Library in Minneapolis, named in her honor.

Arvonne Skelton Fraser (born September 1, 1925 – died August 7, 2018) was an American who worked hard for women's rights. She also helped with many political campaigns. She was a Senior Fellow at the Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota. From 1993 to 1994, she was the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. This means she represented the U.S. at the UN to help women around the world. Arvonne also managed the political campaigns for her husband, Donald M. Fraser, from 1954 to 1979.

Early Life and Education

Arvonne Fraser was born on September 1, 1925. Her birthplace was Lamberton, Minnesota. Her parents were Orland Delbert and Phyllis Dufrene Skelton. She grew up on their family farm.

Arvonne went to Lamberton High School. She graduated from there in 1943. Later, in 1948, she earned a degree from the University of Minnesota. While she was studying, she got her first experience in politics. She worked for Hubert Humphrey's U.S. Senate campaign.

A Career in Public Service

After finishing college, Arvonne Fraser started her career in politics. She worked for the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL). She edited the party's newsletter. She also served as secretary for the state chairperson.

In 1956, she became the vice-chair of the DFL party. She held this important role until 1962. Arvonne was very active in politics. In 1960, she helped with the Minnesotan Citizens for Kennedy campaign. She also co-chaired Arthur Naftalin's successful campaign for mayor.

Arvonne worked on the Minneapolis Board of Public Welfare from 1961 to 1963. She became very involved in the women's rights movement. From 1972 to 1974, she was the national president of the Women's Equity Action League (WEAL). She also became the first director of the WEAL Fund Intern Program.

Working with the U.S. Government

In 1976, Arvonne Fraser led the Carter-Mondale presidential campaign in the Upper Midwest. After Jimmy Carter won the election, she joined his team. She was appointed as a Counselor in the Office of Presidential Personnel.

Later, she became the director of the Office of Women in Development. This was at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). She held this position from 1977 to 1981. She also represented the U.S. at the United Nations. She attended the first two UN World Conferences on Women.

Focus on Women's Rights

From 1982 to 1994, Fraser was a senior fellow. She worked at the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. This is part of the University of Minnesota. At the Humphrey Institute, she led the International Women's Rights Action Watch (IWRAW). She also helped start the school's Center on Women and Public Policy.

From 1993 to 1994, she served as the U.S. Ambassador. She represented the U.S. at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. This shows her dedication to women's rights globally.

Campaign Manager Extraordinaire

Besides her own career, Arvonne Fraser was a skilled campaign manager. She managed all the political campaigns for her husband, Donald M. Fraser. He ran for the Minnesota Senate (1954–1962). He also ran for the U.S. House of Representatives (1963–1979). Later, he became the mayor of Minneapolis (1980–1993). Every campaign she managed for him was successful.

Awards and Recognition

Arvonne Fraser received many awards for her work.

• In 1979, she received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree. This was from Macalester College.
• In 2007, the University of Minnesota gave her the Outstanding Achievement Award.
• In 1992, she received a Resourceful Woman Award. This was for her work on women's human rights.
• In 1995, she received the Prominent Women in International Law Award. She was the first person who was not a lawyer to get this award.

She also received the Louis B. Sohn Human Rights Award. This was from the U.N. Association. The U.S. Agency for International Development gave her the Superior Honor Award. She also received the Elizabeth Boyer Award from WEAL. The Minneapolis YWCA gave her an Outstanding Achievement Award. She also received the Minneapolis International Citizen Award.

In 2019, the Arvonne Fraser Library in Dinkytown was named after her. This honors her lasting impact.

Personal Life

Arvonne Fraser married Perry Morgan in 1946. They divorced in 1949. In 1950, she married Donald M. Fraser. They had six children together. Their names were Thomas, Mary, John, Lois, Anne, and Jean. They also had seven grandchildren.

Arvonne Fraser passed away on August 7, 2018. She was 92 years old. She died at her family retreat near the St. Croix River in Hudson, Wisconsin.