The National Women’s Political Caucus is saddened to share the news of Mary Stanley’s passing. On behalf of the National Board and community, we share in the tribute to her lasting legacy of advocacy & tireless devotion to supporting and electing pro-choice women to office at all levels of government.
Below you’ll find links to online articles & two short videos plus a wonderful tribute written by Karen Humphrey, President of NWPC-CA & long-time close friend of Mary Stanley.
To honor Mary Stanley, NWPC would like to invite you to donate to the Parity PAC in her memory.
NWPC will be creating a special memorial page dedicated to Mary Stanley on our website to share photos, video & audio interviews and to archive memories & stories.
Perhaps one of the most memorable contributions was the creation of an iconic poster inspired by Jill Ruckelshaus’s 1977 speech. This poster had a run of over 20,000 over the past 40 years:
“We are in for a very long haul… I am asking for Everything You Have To Give. We will never give up… You will lose your Youth, your Sleep, your Patience, your sense of Humor and occasionally… the understanding & support of the people you Love very much. In Return, I have nothing to offer you but… your pride in being a woman, and all the Dreams you’ve ever had for your daughters, and nieces and grandaughters… Your Future and the certain Knowledge that at the end of your days you will be able to look back and say that Once in your life you gave Everything you had for Justice.”
~Jill Ruckelshaus at the 1977 NWPC-CA State Convention in San Jose
Fresno Bee: She never held office, but she helped countless women politicians get their start
Nancy Pelosi’s Statement on the Passing of Mary Stanley
Veteran Feminists of America’s profile of Mary Stanley
Video: That’s My Mary – short digital oral history on Mary Stanley’s earliest fundraising
Video: Oral History Interviews with Mary Stanley & past presidents of NWPC-CA
From Karen Humphrey, President NWPC-CA:
It is with great sadness that we share the news that National Women’s Political Caucus California lost one of our founding members — and one of the most energetic and involved members at the local, state and national levels — when Mary Stanley passed away this past weekend, shortly after celebrating her 91st birthday. Mary was a member of the Fresno caucus and, although she had been in declining health for several years, she was living at home and still attending NWPC and other political events until a few short weeks ago.
Many of us have known Mary since the 1970s, when she helped found and breath life into the nascent state caucus. One of Mary’s most effective techniques at generating support, both financial and recognition, was by selling NWPC branded merchandise. Many of us have spent lots of money buying caucus merchandise, which Mary sold at every political convention, meeting and other venue she could to raise money for the national caucus. She was an amazing and totally dedicated supporter of women’s political equality and many of California’s top elected women are grateful to Mary for her support.
Mary died with her family members around her, not surprisingly wearing her Hillary Clinton t-shirt.
Please join NWPC Fresno for a memorial service celebrating Mary’s life on November 30, 2018 at 10 am at Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno, 2672 East Alluvial, Fresno, CA 93720.
Also, while there are many ways to honor Mary’s life, we know that she would most want you to donate to your local, state and national National Women’s Political Caucus PAC or to the NWPC endorsed candidate of your choice.
Rest in Power, Mary Stanley. Thank you for helping us to move closer to gender equality and doing it while blinged-out celebrating NWPC.
(With add’l contributions by Jen Myronuk, former VP of NWPC and public historian. Photos by Howard Watkins and online sources.)
