Merrilee Milstein Scholarship Helps Build Next Gen of Union Organizers

by James Parks, Nov 4, 2009

Merrilee Milstein

The late Merrilee Milstein dedicated her life to building a better world for working people. Whether as a union organizer, union vice-president or deputy field director for the AFL-CIO, she inspired many people to join the union and progressive movements. When she died in June 2008 after a three-year bout with cancer, more than 500 people showed up at the UAW union hall in Hartford, Conn., for her memorial service. 

Now, some of her friends and colleagues want to be sure others can continue her work and have raised more than $50,000 to endow a scholarship at American University (AU) in Washington, D.C. The scholarship would support the graduate education of students pursuing a degree in the AU/NTL program, with the intention of working in the labor movement.  

Milstein was a graduate of American University’s National Training Lab Master of Science in Organization Development (AU/NTL), which provides education for mid-career professionals. In fact, she delivered the valedictory address at her graduation in 2006. At the time of her death, she was bringing the skills she’d gained at AU back to building the union movement.

You can help carry on this legacy by donating to the Merrilee Milstein scholarship fund here.

In a tribute, Peggy Shorey, recording secretary of the Greater Hartford Central Labor Council, quoted Milstein, who once said:

The challenge in organizing is to keep a healthy outrage at injustice while maintaining an inner peace.

Help create Milstein’s legacy by helping educate the next generation of union organizers.

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