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March 28, 2005

Geraldine Miller

The NOW family lost a feminist firebrand when Geraldine Miller passed away on March 28, 2005, after a battle with cancer. At the age of 85, Miller was still dedicated to and involved in the women's rights movement. She was a familiar sight at NOW conferences, no matter how far from her New York home they took place, and last year she was honored with the President's Award at the National NOW Conference in Las Vegas.

Most recently Miller was a guiding force in the Women of Color and Allies Summit, which takes place this weekend, April 1-3, and the Conference had already been dedicated in celebration of her lifetime of advocacy. In her last weeks, she was surrounded by loving friends who cared for her round-the-clock at home, and who helped her tape a video message when it became clear that she would be unable to travel to the Summit.

"Geraldine Miller led by example," said NOW President Kim Gandy. "She was a hands-on leader who inspired others by her own commitment to changing the world for women. Gerrie would talk with anyone about her passion: women of all colors reaching out to each other as allies—finding similarities rather than differences, crossing boundaries rather than erecting barriers. NOW conferences won't be the same without a smile and a hug from Gerrie, but I know she'll be there with us, cheering us on."

Geraldine Miller was an activist for decades. She founded Bronx NOW in New York, was the first to chair NOW's Women of Color Task Force and served several times as chair of NOW's committee on Eliminating Racism. She presented many workshops for NOW members and leaders on ending racism, developing a process called "race, class and cultural conflict." Miller received a number of awards for her courage and vision, and recently was inducted into Smith College's Women of Color Hall of Fame in honor of her efforts for household workers.

Those efforts took off in 1971 when Miller founded the Household Technicians Union to ensure equal rights for women who work mainly "under the table" as maids, nannies and cooks. Starting when she was a teenager, Miller worked in hotels, restaurants, kitchens and primarily in private homes, and she knew the struggles it took just to get by.

The union put pressure on employers to comply with minimum wage standards and Social Security laws. In 1974, Miller worked closely with Rep. Shirley Chisholm (who passed away just a few months ago) to help household workers win the right to be included in the Federal Minimum Wage Act.

Miller adopted as her mantra the phrase "each one, teach one," which is based on an ancient African and African-American concept and was used by Chisholm.

A past president of the National Congress of Neighborhood Women, she ran a workshop for NCNW's Project Open Doors that brought to light similarities and shared concerns of homemakers and household workers, breaking down the barriers of class and race.

Geraldine Miller truly will be missed, but her example of selflessness and determination will live on for many years.