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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO MILDRED L. HARPOLE
______
HON. GWEN MOORE
of wisconsin
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Ms. MOORE. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the life and
legacy of Mildred L. Harpole a highly esteemed change agent and civil
rights leader. A Native of Cleveland, Ohio, Mildred came to Milwaukee
to earn her bachelor's degree from Marquette University, and later her
juris doctorate from now Case Western Reserve University in Ohio.
During her brief time away, she married Reuben Harpole the love of her
life and returned to Milwaukee to raise their family.
Upon her return in the early 1960s, Mildred would become an educator
for Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS). With very few curriculum materials,
and children lacking reading skills, she unlocked their desire to learn
by engaging them in everyday media. By using newspapers, popular music,
and television shows, she helped students read and inform themselves on
current events, and literature styles. Mildred simultaneously became
engaged in the fight to end segregation in MPS with the Milwaukee
United School Integration Committee (MUSIC). Like other demonstrations
during the Civil Rights era, Mildred helped organize several ``Freedom
Schools'' that ran parallel to the boycott. These grassroots schools
were designed to be a supportive environment for her students with
innovative teaching, learning, and liberated thinking for African
American children. ``I don't feel that it was productive for children
to sit home or be on the street during the boycott.'' Mildred often
recalled. She would go on to administer and establish the foundation
for the Harambee Community School that cultivated generations of
students for more than forty years.
Mildred understood that there was a direct link between educational
opportunity and housing policy and became the Director of Fair Housing
and Equal Opportunity in the Milwaukee office of the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development. Her work updating national fair housing
standards and providing access to shelter for the underprivileged and
homeless received extensive recognition from policy makers, developers
and community groups. Mildred also served as chair of the health
committee for the Harambee Health Center and was awarded a $5 million
grant from the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation and members of Fisk
University for the City of Milwaukee to expand their operations.
Mildred's deep commitment to supporting our community was done
consistently with humility and persistence. She was the National
President of Eta Phi Beta an affiliate of the National Council of Negro
Women, co-founder of the Community Brainstorming Conference, Family
Service of Milwaukee, the women's leadership forum TEMPO Milwaukee, as
well as the founding President of the North Central Service Club.
Mildred was also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, the City of
Milwaukee Arts Board, the Milwaukee County Cultural Artistic and
Musical Programming Advisory Council and a charter member of the Cream
City Links, Inc.
She was also the recipient of the Vatican II Award from the Milwaukee
Archdiocese for service in society, the Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter
of the Association of Fundraising Professionals National Philanthropy
Day--Todd Wehr Volunteer Award and the City of Milwaukee's Frank P.
Zeidler Public Service Award with her husband.
Mildred never did anything for a title or recognition, but because it
was the right thing to do. She understood that though this world is
imperfect, what we do with our lives can create a better one. Her
career as an educator and housing advocate was done intentionally to
lift future generations of African Americans and underserved
communities, so that they may reach for the sky. Till the end of her
days she never stopped lifting and her legacy will have lasting
impacts. I am proud to say Mildred was my friend and she and Reuben
were a part of my support network. I will cherish the memories of
working with her over the years. She leaves behind her husband Reuben,
children Anette and John, and grandchildren to cherish her memory.
Madam Speaker, for these reasons I rise to salute Mildred Harpole, a
fierce woman whose actions made the 4th Congressional District, the
State of Wisconsin and the world a better place.
____________________
