Mildred Jeffrey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mildred Jeffrey
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| Born | December 29, 1910 Alton, Iowa, U.S.
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| Died | March 24, 2004 (aged 93) |
| Education | University of Minnesota (BA) Bryn Mawr College (MA) |
| Occupation | Activist, union organizer |
| Spouse(s) | Homer Jeffrey |
| Awards | Michigan Women's Hall of Fame (1983) Presidential Medal of Freedom (2000) |
Mildred McWilliams "Millie" Jeffrey (December 29, 1910 – March 24, 2004) was an American activist. She worked hard for important changes in society. Millie helped with labor reforms, which improved workers' rights. She also supported the women's rights movement and the civil rights movement.
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Millie Jeffrey's Early Life and Education
Mildred Jeffrey's mother, Bertha McWilliams, raised Millie and her six brothers and sisters. Bertha was very independent. In 1908, she became Iowa's first female registered pharmacist. She owned drugstores in Alton and later in Minneapolis.
Millie went to the University of Minnesota. She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology in 1932. While there, she started getting involved in movements that wanted to make society fairer. As a student, she and a Black classmate worked to make restaurants in Minneapolis open to everyone.
In 1934, she earned her master's degree from Bryn Mawr College. She studied social economy and social research.
In 1936, Millie married Homer Newman Jeffrey. He was also a union organizer. A union organizer helps workers form groups to improve their pay and working conditions. During their marriage, they worked to organize textile factories in the South and East. They had two children together. They divorced in 1950.
Millie Jeffrey's Career as an Activist
Becoming a Union Organizer
Millie Jeffrey became a union organizer in Philadelphia in 1935. She worked for the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America. This is where she first met Homer Newman Jeffrey.
Working for the U.A.W.
During World War II, Millie and her husband moved to Washington, D.C.. They became advisors for the War Labor Board. This board helped solve problems between workers and companies during the war.
In Washington, they became friends with leaders of the United Auto Workers (UAW). The UAW is a big union for car factory workers. In 1944, Millie moved to Detroit to lead the UAW's new Women's Bureau. She was the first woman to lead a department in the UAW.
After the war, many women lost their factory jobs when soldiers returned home. Millie organized the UAW's first conference for women to discuss these issues. She held many other jobs within the UAW. She ran the union's radio station from 1949 to 1954. She also directed the community relations department. In this role, she connected the union with many civil rights efforts. From 1968 to 1976, she led the union's consumer affairs department. She retired in 1976.
Political Involvement
Millie Jeffrey also worked in politics. She helped with the campaign of then-Senator John F. Kennedy. Later, in 1968, she managed Senator Robert F. Kennedy's presidential campaign in Michigan.
In 1971, she helped create the National Women's Political Caucus. This group worked to get more women involved in politics. They fought for the Equal Rights Amendment, which would ensure equal rights for all Americans regardless of sex. They also pushed for better child care and equal pay laws.
Millie became a leader in the Democratic Party. She helped make sure that half of the delegates at their 1980 convention were women.
In 1977, Millie became part of the Women's Institute for Freedom of the Press (WIFP). This group supports women in media.
Millie played a big role in many other groups. These included the Coalition of Labor Union Women, Emily's List, Americans for Democratic Action, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the Democratic Socialists of America. She also served on the peer review board of Blue Cross.
Fighting for Civil Rights
Millie Jeffrey joined the NAACP in the 1940s. The NAACP is a civil rights organization that works for racial equality. In the 1960s, she marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She also helped people register to vote in Mississippi. This was a very important part of the Civil Rights Movement.
Advancing Women's Rights
Millie was very important in helping Geraldine Ferraro become the Democratic Party's choice for Vice President in 1984. This was a big step for women in politics. She also supported many other women in politics, like Michigan's governor, Jennifer M. Granholm.
Millie Jeffrey herself held one public office. She was on the board of governors for Wayne State University in Detroit. She served for sixteen years, from 1974 to 1990. For three of those years, she was the chairwoman of the board.
Awards and Recognition
In 1983, Millie Jeffrey was honored for her work. She was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame. This recognized her efforts in the labor movement and the women's rights movement.
In 2000, when she was 90 years old, Millie received a very special award. Former President Bill Clinton gave her the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This is the highest award a civilian can receive in the United States.
Millie Jeffrey's Legacy
After Millie Jeffrey passed away, the United States Senate honored her. They passed a resolution recognizing her life and all her important contributions.
Millie's important papers and records are kept at the Walter P. Reuther Library at Wayne State University. These documents help people learn about her life and work.
