[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 42 (Thursday, April 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E626-E627]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HELEN JACKSON CLAYTOR CELEBRATES 90TH BIRTHDAY

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                         HON. VERNON J. EHLERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 1997

  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask you and my colleagues to 
join me in extending birthday greetings to a very special woman from my 
hometown of Grand Rapids, MI. Mrs. Helen Jackson Claytor will celebrate 
her 90th birthday on April 12. I am honored to know Helen and I greatly 
respect the time and energy she has put forth in making our community a 
better place to live through her work with race relations. Her tireless 
leadership and ability to get results should serve as an inspiration 
for all of us.
  Born and raised in Minneapolis, MN, Helen graduated from John 
Marshall High School at the top of her class in 1925. After high school 
she attended the University of Minnesota, where she graduated cum laude 
in just 3 years while studying to become a teacher. While at the 
University of Minnesota she was also elected to Phi Beta Kappa. 
Following her graduation Helen found that opportunities for African-
American teachers were extremely limited. The lack of available 
teaching jobs led her to the YWCA in Trenton, NJ where she worked as a 
Girl Reserves secretary. She also served a similar stint at the YWCA in 
Kansas City, MO in late 1930. These jobs marked the beginning of her 
long association with the YWCA.
  Helen serves as a true ambassador for the YWCA, having traveled all 
over the country to speak on the topic of race relations at YWCA's that 
were segregated before the civil rights movement. As an elected member 
of the YWCA's World Council she traveled to such places as China, 
Switzerland, and Africa. Her drive and determination led her to the 
position of an active board member of the YWCA in Grand Rapids and 
later in her career she made history by becoming the first black women 
ever to be elected president of a community YWCA. In the late 1940's 
she was elected to the National Board of Directors of the YWCA and 
served as the president from 1967 until her retirement in 1976. As 
president, Helen played a key role in helping the organization draft 
the YWCA Purpose in 1967, an honor she regards as a major 
accomplishment of her career. She still holds the title of Honorary 
Member of the Board.
  In addition to her numerous roles with the YWCA, Helen has been 
actively involved in

[[Page E627]]

countless community organizations and has been recognized for her 
efforts with numerous awards and commendations. Among her more recent 
honors are an honorary degree from Aquinas College, the Giant's Award 
from the Coalition of Grand Rapids Organizations, the Grand Rapids 
Y.W.C.A.'s Tribute to Women Award, and the Grand Rapids NAACP Role 
Model Award; she has also been inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall 
of Fame.
  Widowed twice, Helen was married to journalist Earl Wilkens, who died 
of tuberculosis at an early age. She later married Dr. Robert Claytor, 
the first black physician in Grand Rapids. Throughout her years, Helen 
has been blessed with the support of a very loving and caring family 
that includes her three children, Roger Wilkens, Judith Claytor, and 
Sharon Claytor Peters.
  Mr. Speaker, there is not enough time in the day to thoroughly 
highlight the many contributions that Helen had made to our society. 
Celebrating 90 years of life is truly a blessing. I want to again 
personally extend my heartfelt wishes to Helen for a joyous day of 
celebration with her family and many friends that will gather to honor 
her on April 17 at the Grand Rapids YWCA. Thank you, Helen, for being 
the outstanding citizen that you are.

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