Sharing her perspective on the history of women is something Helen Milliken takes every opportunity to do.
Drawing on her experiences as former First Lady of Michigan, Milliken spoke before the Women's History Project of Northwest Michigan's sixth annual meeting on Saturday.
Inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame in 1983, Milliken recognized the often overlooked significance of women throughout history.
"Women's history was left out of history books because men were the historians," noted Milliken whose influence has enhanced the arts, environment and equality for women for more than 40 years.
As she recounted her personal history, Milliken spoke of the "perfect storm" she faced when her husband, William Milliken, became governor in 1969.
"I was thrust into the swirl of political life," said Milliken who was a third year landscape architecture student at Michigan State University when she was thrown into the media spotlight.
"Someone asked my opinion on the ERA (Equal Rights Amendment) and I had a deer in the headlights moment," said Milliken, who quickly asked her daughter, a law school student, her views on the issue.
"She told me, 'Mother, you must become informed about women's issues.' That's when the lights went on and I began learning," said Milliken, who became a strong proponent of the amendment.
Along with daughter Elaine, Milliken attended a 1980 march on Constitution Avenue in support of the passage of the amendment.
"One hundred thousand women, all dressed in white, were participating. My daughter said we have to be part of this. It was an exhilaration, a real highlight in my life," noted Milliken, pointing out that the Equal Rights Amendment has yet to be ratified.
"It's time will come. There is no single thing that will set a bar for women's issues except an amendment," Milliken said.
Milliken noted the importance of groups like The Women's History Project of Northwest Michigan, in keeping women's history alive.
"We are all here because we have a common bond to share the history of women in our region and to preserve our role," she said.
Anne Magoun, board member of the Women's History Project of Northwest Michigan, shared Milliken's view.
"Young women have a very different view of women's history. They need to be aware of our view on things," Magoun said.