[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 104 (Thursday, June 4, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S2730]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                    REMEMBERING MILELE CHIKASA ANANA

  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the life and legacy 
of Milele Chikasa Anana, who passed away on May 6, 2020, at the age of 
86. An activist, businesswoman, public servant, publisher, mentor, and 
change-maker, she was a dynamic force in Madison for over 50 years, 
helping to shape the community for the better and light the torch of 
many young leaders working to improve the lives of the city's African-
American community.
  Milele was born and raised in Oklahoma, went to college in Alabama 
and Indiana, and lived in Boston before making Madison, WI, her home in 
1968 with her husband Jim. By that time, she had started a career in 
computer technology and worked for the NAACP, organizing in Boston for 
the educational rights of Black students.
  Milele continued to develop her civic engagement and leadership in 
her early years in Madison when she was elected to the Madison School 
Board in 1974. She was the first African American to serve on a school 
board anywhere in the State.
  In another first--also in 1974--Milele became the first African-
American affirmative action officer for the city of Madison, a post she 
would hold for 5 years. Under her determined and steadfast advocacy, 
the city made significant changes to its hiring practices to better 
recruit and hire candidates of color, particularly in the police 
department. She also addressed the lack of diversity on the city's 
boards and commissions, bringing new perspective to bodies that were at 
the time dominated by White men. Milele established the Women's Issues 
Committee and the Minority Affairs Committee, giving employees of color 
and female employees a greater voice. She was known to call out city 
leaders when she saw injustice or inadequate progress and kept them 
focused on the mission of her agency. Her impact as affirmative action 
office is far-reaching to this very day.
  Later in her career, Milele worked as interim director of the Madison 
Equal Opportunities Commission and was a founder of the Madison Black 
Chamber of Commerce, building its directory of Black-owned business and 
establishing Black Restaurant Week. She has been an active member and 
mentor to many organizations including the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority 
Alumni Chapter, the Greater Madison Urban League, NAACP of Dane County, 
and Mt. Zion Baptist Church.
  Milele Chikasa Anana is perhaps best known for her leadership of 
UMOJA Magazine, Wisconsin's oldest black magazine. From 1990 to 2018, 
Milele served as editor and publisher, growing it from a 2-page 
newsletter to a 52-page monthly publication. Milele used UMOJA to 
celebrate the accomplishments and showcase the good deeds of Black 
leaders, community members, business owners, and youth.
  Yet, despite these significant accomplishments, ``Ms. Milele'' or 
``Mother Milele,'' as many called her, will be remembered most dearly 
as a dedicated mentor. Many influential African Americans have credited 
her with demonstrating the passion and persuasion that led to their 
success as leaders. Countless others looked to her as a role model who 
inspired them to join the fight for equal rights.
  While small in stature, Milele leaves behind an enormous legacy. As a 
mother of 5, grandmother of 13, and great grandmother of 4, her 
character lives on as the matriarch of a loving family. Her tenacity 
and determination live on in each young person she encouraged and each 
leader she challenged to do better. I know I will think of Milele every 
time I see the pride of accomplishment in a young African-American 
woman's eyes.
  I consider myself lucky to have known Milele, and I am grateful that 
the depth of her spirit will continue to guide Madison toward a 
brighter, more just future.

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