Dearborn Resident Honored By Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame

Submitted by Betsy Cushman

Of the 147 delegates at the 1961-1962 Michigan Constitutional Convention, only 11 were women— and they became known as the “Con-Con Eleven.” It was the first and only time women participated in the writing of Michigan’s constitution.

Five of the 11 delegates were active members of the League of Women Voters: Vera Andrus of Port Huron, Ruth Gibson Butler of Houghton, Katherine Moore Cushman of Dearborn, Daisy Elizabeth Elliott of Detroit, and Dorothy Leonard Judd of Grand Rapids.

The “Con-Con Eleven” were honored at the 30th annual awards dinner of the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame on Oct. 17.

Katherine Cushman was president of the Dearborn/Dearborn Heights League of Women Voters from 1971-1974. Her daughter, Betsy Cushman, is the current president, and accepted the honor for all 11 women at the dinner.

“It is an honor to be accepting this recognition on behalf of these 11 unique women who ran and won elections in 1961 when roughly 3 percent of Congress was female, and perhaps 7 percent of state legislatures. Each woman deserves her story told, her participation remembered, her significance appreciated. Although only 16, I remember each of these amazing women," Cushman said.

“I visited my mother a few times in Lansing and found it strange to see her living out of a motel room, totally caught up in a variety of issues. Her explanations of county home rule and court reorganization were perhaps not everyone’s idea of mother-daughter bonding, but I am forever grateful for them. I especially appreciate the experience of being in that huge Lansing arena when a smiling and charismatic ex-President Eisenhower addressed the convention.”

For eight months, the delegates listened, proposed, debated, and compromised. The document they produced greatly changed the workings of Michigan’s executive, legislative and judicial branches of government.

Significant revisions were also made in the powers granted to local government, the administration of public education and the terms of office for elected officials. The new constitution revitalized the guarantee of civil rights to every Michigan citizen and established a commission to safeguard those rights.

“We who live more than 50 years later may look at these pioneers unaware of the challenges they each faced to become a constitutional delegate, or the career choices they made after the constitution became law. But we can appreciate that it is never easy to be considered a minority," Cushman said.

"Today in Michigan 51 percent of our population is female but only 19 percent of state legislators are women. That’s better than the 7 percent in 1961 but we still have a long way to go," she said.

The Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame was established in 1983 with a mission to inspire and engage adults and children by celebrating Michigan women’s history, promoting educational opportunities, and honoring the accomplishments of Michigan women.

Over the years, more than 260 women have been named to this esteemed body.

“It is an honor for the League of Women Voters to have our members recognized by the Women’s Hall of Fame. This award is well deserved by the trail-blazing women who served as delegates to the constitutional convention," said League of Women Voters of Michigan President Susan Smith.

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization, encourages the informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. 
For additional information on current programs, visit www.lwvddh.org.