THE VFA PIONEER HISTORIES PROJECT

Patricia Ramsdell Widmayer

“We didn’t just carry signs and picket…. The most memorable is the …. strategizing and organizing in the early days that built and built so that today a feminist woman is US Senator, and a feminist woman is Governor and a feminist woman is Attorney General and a feminist woman is Secretary of State. And all of this came from organizing during the early days. And it just built and built and built…and established a women’s presence in (Michigan) politics that is almost unparalleled in the states. (W)e cannot give up.” – Dr. Patricia Widmayer

Lifelong supporter of progressive policies in elementary and secondary education, higher education and women’s rights as executive director, project leader, outreach specialist and campaign manager for Michigan Democratic leaders. Organizer and donor for EMILY’s List. Trainer in campaign and organizing strategies for the National Women’s Education Fund. Built a nationally recognized firm, Widmayer & Associates, Inc., consulting in higher education policy, technology and strategic planning. Charter Member of Michigan NOW. Named by Detroit NOW as Feminist of the Year in 1976. Policy Analyst for the Speaker of the House William Ryan in 1973. District Chief of Staff for Congressman Bob Carr (1975-1977), Legislative Director for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (1977-1983) and senior staff for Governor James Blanchard (1983-1985). Helped shepherd the equal credit legislation (effective 12/73); the model rape legislation (effective 11/74); co-edited the monthly CAPITOL: WOMAN; and provided staffing for the Education and Constitutional Review & Women’s Rights committees. One of four Co-Chairs/Organizer of the Michigan Women’s Assemblies I-IV, a coalition of more than 20 women’s and civil rights organizations bringing together more than 500 women to learn legislative/political skills (I, 1977), to elect progressive women at all levels of government (II, 1979), to advance the women’s rights agenda, significantly impacting the outcome of several races in the 1982 election (III, 1982); and to build on the 1982 agenda (IV, 1985). Instrumental in reviving the Michigan Women’s Political Caucus, and chaired Mildred Jeffrey’s campaign for National President 1977 and 1979.   Served as Michigan ERA America Legislative Chair. Helped organize and build an agenda for Michigan Women in State Government (1979.) Principal organizer/chairperson of the Unity Caucus for International Women’s Year (1977). Ph.D., Michigan State University, 1971, M.A., Michigan State University, 1969, B.A., Michigan State University, 1966, cum laude, Fellow, Institute for Educational Leadership, George Washington University, 1978-79.

Interviewed by Mary Jean Collins, VFA Historian, August 2023

Photo 1. Patricia represents the National Organization for Women, Lansing, MI, 1975. Photo 2. Patricia attends Governor Milliken signing rape legislation, 1974. Photo 3. Patricia, Master of Ceremonies, Evening for the ERA fundraiser, Orchestra Hall, Detroit, Dec. 7th, 1977, Michigan ERAmerica. Photo 4. Patricia with Congressman Jim Blanchard “Evening For The ERA” Michigan ERAmerica, December 7, 1977. Photo 5. Patricia and her daughter, Carole at the Women’s March in Washington on January 21, 2017. Photo 6. Toast to a Life Well Loved.