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A Legacy of Hope: Mae Millstone's Story

Posted on: Thursday, November 5, 2009

Keywords: Member Profile, Planned Giving

This summer I was fortunate enough to spend time with my five-year-old grandson—playing, teaching and watching him grow. This time was special because it brought us closer together. It also deepened my personal understanding of what the work we do here at MADRE means to future generations.

Just as I want my grandson to enjoy a full range of human rights as he grows into a young man, I know that you as a MADRE supporter are committed to building a future founded on social justice. We know that our work is grounded in decades of activism that came before us, and will continue on for many years to come as we work toward the full realization of human rights for all people.

I hope you will join me in reflecting on how to build a legacy of hope together—by celebrating the important work being done by MADRE’s sister organizations and by sharing stories of inspired activism and giving that will make a lasting impact. In coming newsletters and on our website, I’ll be sharing the stories of incredible women who maintained a lifelong commitment to positive social change and human rights.

In early 2009, we at MADRE were saddened to hear of the passing of activist Mae Millstone, a supporter who had been with us since 1985. We were also touched to find that she had provided for us in her will. For Mae, this was a concrete way to make sure that her work for international women’s human rights continues on after her passing. We are proud to share her story of strength and commitment with you.

Vivian Stromberg
Executive Director

Mae Millstone: A Commitment to Workers, Women and Wisdom

For Mae Millstone, there was no one issue. Rather than commit her life to the advancement of rights in any narrow sense, Mae sought ways to promote a full range of human rights for everyone.

The daughter of a union activist in Philadelphia, Mae began her work on labor rights at the age of 21, when she became a special investigator on working conditions of women and children with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor. In 1935 she began working on the National Health survey, training canvassers in California, Washington and Utah to collect information on health issues, including diseases caused by unsafe working conditions. When Mae’s work brought her to Detroit, she met and married union organizer Harry Millstone, and together they worked to promote labor rights for over six decades.

But Mae’s activism did not stop there. As dedicated as she was to workers’ rights, Mae saw them as one facet of her quest for social justice. In the 1960s, Mae took part in the civil rights, anti-war and women’s movements, and in the next three decades her activism took many forms—from registering voters in underserved communities to escorting women to abortion clinics to holding peace vigils in opposition to the war in Iraq.

Mae was an ardent supporter of women’s human rights, and she worked closely with several women’s groups. She often encouraged young women to run for office, believing that assuming positions of power was the best way to make their voices heard. She also urged feminists in the US to support women’s efforts abroad, seeing the linkages between grassroots work being done by women’s organizations worldwide.

Mae Millstone was a tireless defender of human rights who remained an active champion of social justice until the age of 95. With future activists in mind, Mae arranged to have support sent to MADRE and other organizations upon her passing in early 2009. Mae’s commitment to human rights and vision of a just world will live on in the people whose lives she touched.

Even with limited resources, you have the capacity to plan for a lasting impact.   To learn how you can create your own Legacy of Hope, call us at 212-627-0444 or visit www.madre.org/plannedgiving.

 

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