Millie Jeffrey
Encyclopedia
Mildred McWilliams "Millie" Jeffrey (* December 29, 1910, † March 24, 2004) was a lifetime pioneer for workers', civil and women's rights, becoming a union organizer in Philadelphia in 1935 for the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America. In 1945, she became the first female department head of the United Auto Workers
union. In the 1950s and 60s, Jeffrey became more active in the civil rights movement, marching with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
, and registering voters in Mississippi. She was influential in the campaign of then Senator John F. Kennedy
and later managed Senator Robert F. Kennedy
's Michigan state presidential campaign in 1968. In the 1970s, she helped establish the National Women's Political Caucus
, fighting for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment
, child care and equal pay legislation. She was instrumental in advancing the name of Geraldine Ferraro
as the Democratic Party's nominee for Vice President of the United States in 1984.
Although most sources have her birth in 1911, Millie was actually born in Alton, Iowa
on December 29, 1910, according to her daughter Sharon Lehrer, "It was one of her tricks to work an extra year..." She arrived into a family of independent, hardworking women. Her grandmother ran the family farm and raised sixteen children after her husband died. Her mother, Bertha McWilliams, who raised Millie, the oldest, and six other children, became Iowa's first female registered pharmacist
in 1908 and owned a drugstore in Alton and later in Minneapolis.
As an influential member of the UAW's inner circle, and the first woman to head a division at the UAW, Jeffrey stood up for principles that many take for granted.
Millie's papers are housed at the Reuther Library at Wayne State University.
Recently, Palo Alto High School
students undertook a year long investigation of Jeffrey's life after coming across a telegram written by Robert F. Kennedy to Jeffrey before he publicly announced his candidacy for the presidency in March, 1968.
Millie was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
in 2000 by President Bill Clinton.
United Auto Workers
The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, better known as the United Auto Workers , is a labor union which represents workers in the United States and Puerto Rico, and formerly in Canada. Founded as part of the Congress of Industrial...
union. In the 1950s and 60s, Jeffrey became more active in the civil rights movement, marching with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the...
, and registering voters in Mississippi. She was influential in the campaign of then Senator John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
and later managed Senator Robert F. Kennedy
Robert F. Kennedy
Robert Francis "Bobby" Kennedy , also referred to by his initials RFK, was an American politician, a Democratic senator from New York, and a noted civil rights activist. An icon of modern American liberalism and member of the Kennedy family, he was a younger brother of President John F...
's Michigan state presidential campaign in 1968. In the 1970s, she helped establish 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....
, fighting for ratification of 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...
, child care and equal pay legislation. She was instrumental in advancing the name of Geraldine Ferraro
Geraldine Ferraro
Geraldine Anne Ferraro was an American attorney, a Democratic Party politician, and a member of the United States House of Representatives. She was the first female Vice Presidential candidate representing a major American political party....
as the Democratic Party's nominee for Vice President of the United States in 1984.
Although most sources have her birth in 1911, Millie was actually born in Alton, Iowa
Alton, Iowa
Alton is a city in Sioux County, Iowa, United States, along the Floyd River. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 1,095.-Geography:Alton is located at ....
on December 29, 1910, according to her daughter Sharon Lehrer, "It was one of her tricks to work an extra year..." She arrived into a family of independent, hardworking women. Her grandmother ran the family farm and raised sixteen children after her husband died. Her mother, Bertha McWilliams, who raised Millie, the oldest, and six other children, became Iowa's first female registered pharmacist
Pharmacist
Pharmacists are allied health professionals who practice in pharmacy, the field of health sciences focusing on safe and effective medication use...
in 1908 and owned a drugstore in Alton and later in Minneapolis.
As an influential member of the UAW's inner circle, and the first woman to head a division at the UAW, Jeffrey stood up for principles that many take for granted.
Millie's papers are housed at the Reuther Library at Wayne State University.
Recently, Palo Alto High School
Palo Alto High School
Palo Alto Senior High School, known locally as "Paly," was founded in 1898 and is one of the oldest high schools in the region. Located in Palo Alto, California, United States, Paly is nestled in the heart of Silicon Valley, and is adjacent to Stanford University. Paly is known for its academically...
students undertook a year long investigation of Jeffrey's life after coming across a telegram written by Robert F. Kennedy to Jeffrey before he publicly announced his candidacy for the presidency in March, 1968.
Millie was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Presidential Medal of Freedom
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is an award bestowed by the President of the United States and is—along with thecomparable Congressional Gold Medal bestowed by an act of U.S. Congress—the highest civilian award in the United States...
in 2000 by President Bill Clinton.