THE VFA PIONEER HISTORIES PROJECT

Lael Stegall

February 26, 1941 – October 25, 2011

“Women, throughout history, have picked up the pieces of war.”

Advocate for human rights, strategist, organizer. Joined the Peace Corps, served for two years in Turkey, helped found first school of social work as Peace Corps Volunteer, mid-1960s. Helped found National Women’s Political Caucus, 1973, served as development director until 1979. Served as Advisor on Women in Development during Carter administration; created first Women in Development program aiding volunteer activities around the world. Helped found the Windom Fund, which supported voting rights and women’s empowerment, 1980. Founding member, EMILY’s List, 1985. Co-founded the Strategies, Training, Advocacy and Resources (STAR) Network, to help women in the Balkans recover from war traumas, 1994. Helped environmental and women’s advocacy groups in Maine and UNIFEM, The United Nations Development Fund for Women, in its global outreach.