March 24, 2004

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today issued the following statement regarding the death of Mildred “Millie” Jeffrey, a legendary leader.  The 93-year-old Detroit resident passed away this morning.
 
“It was with profound sadness that I learned today of the death of my personal friend and mentor, Millie Jeffrey.  For countless people around the country, Millie was a living, breathing symbol of the fairness, equality, and compassion that we all hope for in this world.

“To say Millie was an inspiration to me is a gross understatement.  Through her tireless work on labor, women’s and social issues, Millie taught me that the best leadership is courageous, selfless and committed to improving the world.  I can say with absolute conviction that without Millie Jeffrey, I would not be the first woman Governor of the State of Michigan today.   Millie once said:  ‘You never win freedom permanently.  You have to win it time after time... whether it's union rights, civil rights, or equality for women.  We have to keep at it and at it.’  The greatest honor we can pay her today is to recommit to working for fairness and justice for all of our citizens today and everyday.
 
“Millie’s tiny stature and quiet, humble gentleness belied a powerful force that truly changed our world. When scientists refer to the butterfly effect – the notion that the smallest, imperceptible change in one corner of the world can eventually result in history-changing events someplace else – I know that they must be referring to Millie. 

“Millie Jeffrey was our butterfly.  She whipped up change in countless corners of our world and helped write entire chapters in the story of our nation and our state.  She gave women across the globe – including me – a voice in politics and policy.  And for an entire lifetime, she stood next to giants – Walter Reuther, Eleanor Roosevelt and Bobby Kennedy – and cast her own mighty shadow.
 
“My family extends its deepest sympathy to Millie’s.  Today, we lost an amazing Michigan treasure.”