Let's continue Women's History Month with women who made a difference in the Romeo area.
Next up is Martha Griffiths, who was the lieutenant governor of Michigan from 1983 to 1991.
Now, Martha wasn't from the Romeo area initially since she was born in Missouri, but she resided in Michigan by the time she became lieutenant governor and lived in Armada for many years. In addition, she made several appearances in The Romeo Observer for her work, including advocating for women's rights.
Prior to becoming lieutenant governor, she served in the US House of Representatives from 1955 to 1975. She was the second woman from Michigan elected to that chamber and became the first woman to serve on the powerful Ways and Means Committee. More importantly, Martha is best known for her work in adding sexual discrimination to the landmark 1964 Civil Rights Act and resurrecting the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA).
After her time in Congress, she became the first woman elected lieutenant governor of Michigan under the James Blanchard ticket. She continued to advocate for women's rights, which brings us to the photo seen above.
Karen Hamilton took this picture of Martha for the front page of April 27, 1983 issue of The Romeo Observer. Martha spoke at the Club Orchard Place on 31 Mile Road in Romeo in front of 240 people, mostly women. Assistant News Editor Mary Kay Bean mentioned that it was a brunch organized by the Romeo Monday Club. It was the second event in the club's mini series program at the time.
The lieutenant governor talked about the importance of women's rights. She stated, "I really am for a just society in which every human being has rights the same as any other and in which there is human justice."
During the speech, Martha warned women to question "anyone who say the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the U.S. Constitution is unnecessary because women are already included in that document."
Despite the obstacles, Martha believed that the ERA "will come before state legislatures and finally will become a part of the constitution...,[and it] will guarantee that, in the future, women will not have to worry about their rights."
Martha gave several examples of how the ERA would benefit the traditional wife. One of them was the situation of the husband and wife owning and operating a farm jointly. If the husband died first, the Internal Revenue Service would collect their share of the estate taxes while completely ignoring the fact that the woman worked the farm too. If the wife died first, then the husband would have no problem in receiving the money and farm.
In addition, Martha spoke of her time in Congress, especially on the Ways and Means Committee. She recalled receiving a letter from a man who couldn't collect his deceased wife's Social Security for their dependent children. She had been out of the work force in the last 1 1/2 years of her life, and the Social Security benefits paid the wages of the housekeeper, who watched the kids. Martha begun to correct that to ensure children and others could benefit from their mother's contributions to Social Security.
Even with the progress made at that time, Martha acknowledged that enforcing the laws has been a stumbling block for women's rights. She "suggested that a network of women to watch every regulatory body to see how women are treated is needed."
I bet that had to be a real treat to see Martha Griffiths speak in Romeo in 1983.
Thank you Romeo Monday Club for making that event happen, and thank you Martha Griffiths for all of your work in advancing the cause of women's rights.
To learn more about Martha Griffiths, you can contact the Romeo Community Archives at rca@romemodistrictlibrary.org or call (586) 690-4890.
Images and sources courtesy of the Romeo Community Archives; Melvin E. and Joan D. Bleich Collection, The Romeo Observer, April 27, 1983, p.1 and p.8; Romeo Monday Club Collection, 1983; and History, Art, & Archives: United States House of Representatives