[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 172 (Wednesday, October 30, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO MILDRED L. HARPOLE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 30, 2019

  Ms. MOORE. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the life and 
legacy of Mildred L. Harpole a highly esteemed change agent and civil 
rights leader. A Native of Cleveland, Ohio, Mildred came to Milwaukee 
to earn her bachelor's degree from Marquette University, and later her 
juris doctorate from now Case Western Reserve University in Ohio. 
During her brief time away, she married Reuben Harpole the love of her 
life and returned to Milwaukee to raise their family.
  Upon her return in the early 1960s, Mildred would become an educator 
for Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS). With very few curriculum materials, 
and children lacking reading skills, she unlocked their desire to learn 
by engaging them in everyday media. By using newspapers, popular music, 
and television shows, she helped students read and inform themselves on 
current events, and literature styles. Mildred simultaneously became 
engaged in the fight to end segregation in MPS with the Milwaukee 
United School Integration Committee (MUSIC). Like other demonstrations 
during the Civil Rights era, Mildred helped organize several ``Freedom 
Schools'' that ran parallel to the boycott. These grassroots schools 
were designed to be a supportive environment for her students with 
innovative teaching, learning, and liberated thinking for African 
American children. ``I don't feel that it was productive for children 
to sit home or be on the street during the boycott.'' Mildred often 
recalled. She would go on to administer and establish the foundation 
for the Harambee Community School that cultivated generations of 
students for more than forty years.
  Mildred understood that there was a direct link between educational 
opportunity and housing policy and became the Director of Fair Housing 
and Equal Opportunity in the Milwaukee office of the U.S. Department of 
Housing and Urban Development. Her work updating national fair housing 
standards and providing access to shelter for the underprivileged and 
homeless received extensive recognition from policy makers, developers 
and community groups. Mildred also served as chair of the health 
committee for the Harambee Health Center and was awarded a $5 million 
grant from the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation and members of Fisk 
University for the City of Milwaukee to expand their operations.
  Mildred's deep commitment to supporting our community was done 
consistently with humility and persistence. She was the National 
President of Eta Phi Beta an affiliate of the National Council of Negro 
Women, co-founder of the Community Brainstorming Conference, Family 
Service of Milwaukee, the women's leadership forum TEMPO Milwaukee, as 
well as the founding President of the North Central Service Club. 
Mildred was also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, the City of 
Milwaukee Arts Board, the Milwaukee County Cultural Artistic and 
Musical Programming Advisory Council and a charter member of the Cream 
City Links, Inc.
  She was also the recipient of the Vatican II Award from the Milwaukee 
Archdiocese for service in society, the Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter 
of the Association of Fundraising Professionals National Philanthropy 
Day--Todd Wehr Volunteer Award and the City of Milwaukee's Frank P. 
Zeidler Public Service Award with her husband.
  Mildred never did anything for a title or recognition, but because it 
was the right thing to do. She understood that though this world is 
imperfect, what we do with our lives can create a better one. Her 
career as an educator and housing advocate was done intentionally to 
lift future generations of African Americans and underserved 
communities, so that they may reach for the sky. Till the end of her 
days she never stopped lifting and her legacy will have lasting 
impacts. I am proud to say Mildred was my friend and she and Reuben 
were a part of my support network. I will cherish the memories of 
working with her over the years. She leaves behind her husband Reuben, 
children Anette and John, and grandchildren to cherish her memory.
  Madam Speaker, for these reasons I rise to salute Mildred Harpole, a 
fierce woman whose actions made the 4th Congressional District, the 
State of Wisconsin and the world a better place.

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