Elly M. Peterson
Encyclopedia
Elly M. Peterson also known as Mrs. W. Merritt Peterson, was an American
politician from Charlotte
, Eaton County, Michigan
. She was married to the late Colonel W. M. Peterson and was an overseas Red Cross volunteer in World War II
. She was an officer in the American Cancer Society
, an active member of the Congregational Church
, American Legion Auxiliary
, a lifetime member of the NAACP, and a 1984 inductee into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame
. She attended what is now William Woods University
in Fulton, Mo.
She was vice chairman of the Michigan Republican Party
from 1961–63 and a candidate for U.S. Senator from Michigan in 1964. Asked to run by Governor
George W. Romney
, Peterson would later comment that she picked up the gauntlet and ran for the Senate because no one else would run against the popular incumbent, Philip Hart
, particularly in a year with her party divided over its presidential candidate, Barry Goldwater
. Winning just 35.3 percent of the vote, she nevertheless bettered Goldwater's tally in Michigan—33.1 percent—and did so with little funds; to accomplish that much was a tribute to her energy, organization and down-to-earth appeal.
In 1965, she became the first woman to serve as chairman of the Michigan Republican Party. She was also the first woman in U.S. History to chair a Republican state central committee , which she did from from 1965-69. The Michigan Political History Society eventually selected Elly Peterson as the best Republican state chairman in the last fifty years. She was assistant to the chairman of the Republican National Committee
from 1969-71.
She worked to elect Romney as governor and his lieutenant governor
, William Milliken
, who succeeded him when Romney became joined the cabinet of President Richard Nixon
as the secretary of Housing and Urban Development in 1969.
At the Republican National Committee, Peterson was a strong advocate for outreach, empowerment, fence-mending and organization. She continued the practices that had made her effective as chairman of the Michigan Republican Party. Inquisitive and probing, she was also quick to laugh and often referred to as "mother" by her interns, such as Christine Todd Whitman
. Friendly and un-dogmatic, while in Washington she shared a house with the prominent Democrat Liz Carpenter
, who'd been press secretary for Lady Bird Johnson
and a speech-writer for Vice President Lyndon Johnson.
An egalitarian by philosophy and example, Peterson was a national co-chairwoman of ERAmerica, a private national campaign organization, during the fight to get the Equal Rights Amendment
ratified. Peterson also strongly supported abortion rights and was a charter member in the National Women's Political Caucus
. At this time, in the early 1970s, the conservative wing of the Republican Party was beginning to create friction with the liberal members, Peterson amongst them. She successfully battled to keep Phyllis Schlafly
from seizing control of the National Federation of Republican Women
, but she was experiencing reduced affinity with the Republican National Convention platform and by 1983 endorsed James Blanchard
, the Democrat running for governor of Michigan, rather than the conservative Republican.
Eventually Peterson conceded she'd become an independent. She laughed that "I recently received a call from a Republican group saying they wanted her in a directory of important Republican women, and I had to tell them they needed to do their homework better." In her last year, she was a supporter of Hillary Clinton's presidential bid, both as a feminist and because she didn't feel America's residual racial prejudices would allow Barack Obama
to win.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician from Charlotte
Charlotte, Michigan
Charlotte is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 9,074. It is the county seat of Eaton County....
, Eaton County, Michigan
Eaton County, Michigan
Eaton County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the population was 107,759. The county seat is Charlotte. Eaton County was named for John Eaton, who was Secretary of War under U.S. President Andrew Jackson, making it one of Michigan's Cabinet counties...
. She was married to the late Colonel W. M. Peterson and was an overseas Red Cross volunteer in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. She was an officer in the American Cancer Society
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is the "nationwide community-based voluntary health organization" dedicated, in their own words, "to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and...
, an active member of the Congregational Church
Congregational church
Congregational churches are Protestant Christian churches practicing Congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation independently and autonomously runs its own affairs....
, American Legion Auxiliary
American Legion Auxiliary
The American Legion Auxiliary is a U.S.-headquartered patriotic service organization for women interested in voluntary service. It is a non-profit organization, affiliated with The American Legion...
, a lifetime member of the NAACP, and a 1984 inductee into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame
Michigan Women's Hall of Fame
The Michigan Women's Hall of Fame honors distinguished women, both historical and contemporary, who have been associated with the U.S. state of Michigan. It is housed in the Michigan Women's Historical Center and Hall of Fame building, located at 213 W. Malcolm X St. in downtown Lansing, Michigan...
. She attended what is now William Woods University
William Woods University
William Woods University is a coeducational, independent, private university of 3,800 students, representing most states and approximately 20 foreign countries. The university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in a variety of disciplines in both campus and outreach settings. WWU is situated...
in Fulton, Mo.
She was vice chairman of the Michigan Republican Party
Michigan Republican Party
The Michigan Republican Party is the state affiliate of the national Republican Party in Michigan. It is sometimes referred to as MIGOP, which simply means Michigan Grand Old Party....
from 1961–63 and a candidate for U.S. Senator from Michigan in 1964. Asked to run by Governor
Governor of Michigan
The Governor of Michigan is the chief executive of the U.S. State of Michigan. The current Governor is Rick Snyder, a member of the Republican Party.-Gubernatorial elections and term of office:...
George W. Romney
George W. Romney
George Wilcken Romney was an American businessman and Republican Party politician. He was chairman and CEO of American Motors Corporation from 1954 to 1962, the 43rd Governor of Michigan from 1963 to 1969, and the United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from 1969 to 1973...
, Peterson would later comment that she picked up the gauntlet and ran for the Senate because no one else would run against the popular incumbent, Philip Hart
Philip Hart
Philip Aloysius Hart was a Democratic United States Senator from Michigan from 1959 until 1976. He was nicknamed the Conscience of the Senate.-Early years:...
, particularly in a year with her party divided over its presidential candidate, Barry Goldwater
Barry Goldwater
Barry Morris Goldwater was a five-term United States Senator from Arizona and the Republican Party's nominee for President in the 1964 election. An articulate and charismatic figure during the first half of the 1960s, he was known as "Mr...
. Winning just 35.3 percent of the vote, she nevertheless bettered Goldwater's tally in Michigan—33.1 percent—and did so with little funds; to accomplish that much was a tribute to her energy, organization and down-to-earth appeal.
In 1965, she became the first woman to serve as chairman of the Michigan Republican Party. She was also the first woman in U.S. History to chair a Republican state central committee , which she did from from 1965-69. The Michigan Political History Society eventually selected Elly Peterson as the best Republican state chairman in the last fifty years. She was assistant to the chairman of the Republican National Committee
Republican National Committee
The Republican National Committee is an American political committee that provides national leadership for the Republican Party of the United States. It is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican political platform, as well as coordinating fundraising and election strategy. It is...
from 1969-71.
She worked to elect Romney as governor and his lieutenant governor
Lieutenant Governor of Michigan
The Lieutenant Governor of Michigan is the second-ranking official in U.S. state of Michigan, behind the governor, and one of four great offices of state...
, William Milliken
William Milliken
William Grawn Milliken , is an American politician and served as the 44th Governor of Michigan from January 1969 to January 1983.-Biography:...
, who succeeded him when Romney became joined the cabinet of President Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
as the secretary of Housing and Urban Development in 1969.
At the Republican National Committee, Peterson was a strong advocate for outreach, empowerment, fence-mending and organization. She continued the practices that had made her effective as chairman of the Michigan Republican Party. Inquisitive and probing, she was also quick to laugh and often referred to as "mother" by her interns, such as Christine Todd Whitman
Christine Todd Whitman
Christine Todd "Christie" Whitman is an American Republican politician and author who served as the 50th Governor of New Jersey from 1994 to 2001, and was the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency in the administration of President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2003. She was New...
. Friendly and un-dogmatic, while in Washington she shared a house with the prominent Democrat Liz Carpenter
Liz Carpenter
Mary Elizabeth "Liz" Sutherland Carpenter was a writer, feminist, former reporter, media advisor, speechwriter, political humorist, and public relations expert....
, who'd been press secretary for Lady Bird Johnson
Lady Bird Johnson
Claudia Alta "Lady Bird" Taylor Johnson was First Lady of the United States from 1963 to 1969 during the presidency of her husband Lyndon B. Johnson. Throughout her life, she was an advocate for beautification of the nation's cities and highways and conservation of natural resources and made that...
and a speech-writer for Vice President Lyndon Johnson.
An egalitarian by philosophy and example, Peterson was a national co-chairwoman of ERAmerica, a private national campaign organization, during the fight to get the Equal Rights Amendment
Equal Rights Amendment
The Equal Rights Amendment was a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution. The ERA was originally written by Alice Paul and, in 1923, it was introduced in the Congress for the first time...
ratified. Peterson also strongly supported abortion rights and was a charter member in the National Women's Political Caucus
National Women's Political Caucus
The National Women's Political Caucus is a national bipartisan grassroots organization in the United States dedicated to recruiting, training, and supporting women who seek elected and appointed offices....
. At this time, in the early 1970s, the conservative wing of the Republican Party was beginning to create friction with the liberal members, Peterson amongst them. She successfully battled to keep Phyllis Schlafly
Phyllis Schlafly
Phyllis McAlpin Stewart Schlafly is a Constitutional lawyer and an American politically conservative activist and author who founded the Eagle Forum. She is known for her opposition to modern feminism ideas and for her campaign against the proposed Equal Rights Amendment...
from seizing control of the National Federation of Republican Women
National Federation of Republican Women
The National Federation of Republican Women is the women's wing of the Republican Party in the United States. Founded in 1938, it is a grassroots political organization with more than 1,600 local clubs in the 50 states and in the U.S. territories...
, but she was experiencing reduced affinity with the Republican National Convention platform and by 1983 endorsed James Blanchard
James Blanchard
James Johnston "Jim" Blanchard is a politician from the US state of Michigan. A Democrat, Blanchard has served in the United States House of Representatives, as the 45th Governor of Michigan, and as United States Ambassador to Canada....
, the Democrat running for governor of Michigan, rather than the conservative Republican.
Eventually Peterson conceded she'd become an independent. She laughed that "I recently received a call from a Republican group saying they wanted her in a directory of important Republican women, and I had to tell them they needed to do their homework better." In her last year, she was a supporter of Hillary Clinton's presidential bid, both as a feminist and because she didn't feel America's residual racial prejudices would allow Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
to win.