Senator Paul Wellstone
1944 - 2002

U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone died on October 25 when the plane aboard which he, his wife and their daughter, three members of his campaign staff, and two pilots were traveling crashed in northern Minnesota. By all accounts one of the most progressive and principled members of Congress, Wellstone spent his honorable career – indeed, his entire life – as a staunch advocate for the environment, the poor, human rights, workers’ rights and labor-law reform, education, and peace. One of the last votes he cast was that against the resolution granting President Bush authority to wage unilateral, preemptive war on Iraq, in the face of a very tight race for reelection.

Wellstone was universally regarded as a man of conscience, “a man with a huge heart who lit up a room” (from an Oct. 26 statement by his staff). He was a spirited rhetorician who cared passionately about improving people’s lives, and he encouraged and inspired others to follow his lead. His memorial service, which was attended by more than 20,000 people, carried the theme “Stand Up and Keep Fighting.” WAND staff and members are proud to do just that, in Senator Wellstone’s honor.

by Jamie Levine

Congresswoman Patsy Mink
1927 - 2002

U.S. Representative Patsy Mink (DHI) will be remembered as a true champion for women, human rights, and social justice. Throughout her career in Congress, she demonstrated her devotion to women’s advancement through her work on Title IX, the passage of which prohibited discrimination against women in education, especially with regard to participation in sports.

Rep. Mink’s life was marked by many accomplishments, including being the first female attorney to be admitted to the Hawaii bar and the first woman of color elected to Congress, in 1964. We will miss her leadership and her spirit.

by Denisse Guerrero

Arlene Victor

Arlene Victor died on Friday, July 26, 2002. Having founded the metro-Detroit WAND chapter in the ’80s, she took her unique brand of feminist peace activism to the national level, serving as president of the WAND national board from 1993 to 1996.

This is a pale statement for this robust woman! Her legacy is immense. Arlene’s friend U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow spoke at her funeral. U.S. Senator Carl Levin also attended, along with other members of Congress and gubernatorial candidate Jennifer Granholm. There was standing room only. At Arlene’s request, all the pallbearers were women. WAND director of education and outreach Bobbie Wrenn Banks and I were both pallbearers. We women could have carried that coffin anywhere Arlene told us to go. You did what Arlene asked because you knew she would always be there for you.

Debbie Stabenow’s story at the funeral was at the heart of who Arlene was: At an event to raise money for her senate race, Debbie remarked on the beauty of a gold pin in the shape of a chair that Arlene wore. Arlene replied that it was symbolic of the chair for “women’s seat at the table where decisions are made.” Arlene gave the pin to Debbie when she won her seat in the U.S. Senate.

Arlene was ardent about women raising their voices and claiming their seats of power. She was proud of WAND, and especially proud of our work with women state legislators, WiLL. She supported and encouraged many women to run for office.

Arlene’s son, Dave, made everyone smile by telling the mourners that Arlene was so widely adored that he always heard four words when people found out Arlene was his mother: “I love your mother.”

WAND loves her. Her family has asked that contributions in her name be made to WAND Education Fund. In the spring, we will announce a fitting tribute and suitable effort in her name. We will do our best to match her glory, wit, forcefulness, charm and verve.

by Susan Shaer