Letter from Michael Moore on Helen Milliken, former Michigan First Lady
[LP note: I had the pleasure of working for Michigan Gov. William G. Milliken's gubernatorial campaign in 1970. Both he and his wife, Helen, were moderate Republicans during a time when the Republican Party included such folks.]
From: Michael Moore
Date: November 16, 2012 5:24:30 PM EST
Friends,
This morning, one of the great women of this great country passed away. Helen Milliken, an outspoken advocate for the arts, for women's rights, for all things Michigan, was far more than just the "first lady" of our state for 12 years. She was a fearless leader during a time when such a thing was in short supply. She was the real deal -- honest, compassionate, humble, and unmovable when it came to her belief that the poor, the downtrodden, the cast-offs of our society were to have a seat at the table with everyone else. She was a visionary long before it became acceptable to take a stand for the equal treatment of women. She stood at the front lines with the great civil rights leaders of our time and she was among the first to push for an Equal Rights Amendment.
I have had the good fortune of getting to know Helen in the past decade. When I had the idea to start a film festival here, there were a few souls who sought to stop it before it even started. Fearing they might succeed, I asked Helen and her kind husband, our beloved former governor, Bill Milliken, if they could help. Without hesitation Helen said that they would become the honorary co-chairs of the "Friends of the Traverse City Film Festival."
That, perhaps more than anything, sealed the deal for the film festival, and without their public support I don't know what the outcome would have been. We now have this incredible event every summer, the State Theatre was reopened, and we have Helen Milliken to thank for this. And I did that every single time I saw her.
Helen and Bill would show up at every premiere of one of my films, a significant public statement of support that I'm sure didn't always go down well with some of their fellow Republicans.
Oh, did I mention the Millikens were Republicans? Yes, young people reading this, that's what they used to look like. I have no idea of Helen and Bill's personal politics these days -- nor do I care. They seemed to simply support whoever they thought was the best candidate, regardless of party. I do know that Helen had become saddened at where things had gone and I'm certain she left this life with a massive hope that the younger generations would eventually get it right. I know she'd settle for nothing less.
And, in her honor, neither should we.
In fond memory of our friend, and of a great American,
Michael Moore
From: Michael Moore
Date: November 16, 2012 5:24:30 PM EST
Friends,
This morning, one of the great women of this great country passed away. Helen Milliken, an outspoken advocate for the arts, for women's rights, for all things Michigan, was far more than just the "first lady" of our state for 12 years. She was a fearless leader during a time when such a thing was in short supply. She was the real deal -- honest, compassionate, humble, and unmovable when it came to her belief that the poor, the downtrodden, the cast-offs of our society were to have a seat at the table with everyone else. She was a visionary long before it became acceptable to take a stand for the equal treatment of women. She stood at the front lines with the great civil rights leaders of our time and she was among the first to push for an Equal Rights Amendment.
I have had the good fortune of getting to know Helen in the past decade. When I had the idea to start a film festival here, there were a few souls who sought to stop it before it even started. Fearing they might succeed, I asked Helen and her kind husband, our beloved former governor, Bill Milliken, if they could help. Without hesitation Helen said that they would become the honorary co-chairs of the "Friends of the Traverse City Film Festival."
That, perhaps more than anything, sealed the deal for the film festival, and without their public support I don't know what the outcome would have been. We now have this incredible event every summer, the State Theatre was reopened, and we have Helen Milliken to thank for this. And I did that every single time I saw her.
Helen and Bill would show up at every premiere of one of my films, a significant public statement of support that I'm sure didn't always go down well with some of their fellow Republicans.
Oh, did I mention the Millikens were Republicans? Yes, young people reading this, that's what they used to look like. I have no idea of Helen and Bill's personal politics these days -- nor do I care. They seemed to simply support whoever they thought was the best candidate, regardless of party. I do know that Helen had become saddened at where things had gone and I'm certain she left this life with a massive hope that the younger generations would eventually get it right. I know she'd settle for nothing less.
And, in her honor, neither should we.
In fond memory of our friend, and of a great American,
Michael Moore
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