Mildred Harpole, shown with her husband, Reuben, worked tirelessly on behalf of the community. (Photo provided by the Harpole family)
Longtime Milwaukee educational and equal rights activist Mildred Harpole died Oct. 24, her husband, Reuben Harpole Jr., confirmed Wednesday. She was in her 80s.
“She was a super lady who certainly had a way with words,” recalled Harpole Jr., who remembered the first time they met. At the time, he was a student at MATC, and she was attending Marquette University.
“I was so impressed by her. She was overwhelming, and I didn’t know if I had the vocabulary to keep up with her,” he said.
He later enlisted in the service, and while stationed in Texas, she called him.
And he made his move.
“I proposed to her,” Harpole Jr. said.
Born in Cleveland, Harpole graduated from Marquette University before receiving a law degree from Western Reserve Law School and a master’s degree from Cardinal Stritch, according to her husband.
She worked as a reading specialist at Milwaukee Public Schools and also as an administrator at Harambee Community School. At MPS, she often protested against segregation and a lack of resources at primarily African American schools. In an archived interview that’s part of the UWM Libraries’ March on Milwaukee Civil Rights History Project, Harpole spoke on the issue.
“Some, many of the schools had poor books or textbooks. They had overcrowding. Old buildings. That environment was poor. They didn’t have what I considered quality materials,” Harpole said.
Harpole, who once ran for a seat on the school board, said she initially worked to overcome those challenges by creating material based on newspaper stories or television reports.
“We had very little material … so we could be creative and innovative in our approach, and so I loved that,” she said in the interview.
She also helped to form two “Freedom Schools,” which offered educational opportunities to children of African American migrants who moved to Milwaukee, according to a news release from the Milwaukee Times.
After leaving MPS, Harpole served as director of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity for the Milwaukee office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD.
There she advocated on issues involving fair housing and homelessness before retiring in 2002.
She and her husband, also a longtime community activist and educator, had founding roles in numerous Milwaukee nonprofits and other organizations, including the Central City Teacher Community Project, Milwaukee 100 Black Men, MPS Homework First Program and the Children’s Performing Arts group, which became the Ko-Thi Dance Company, according to a 2015 article on the UWM website. They also worked together on a television show called “Black Thang,” where they helped students learn about writing and cinematography.
Together, the couple, who married in 1959, received many prestigious awards and honors, including the Vatican II Award from the Milwaukee Archdiocese in 1993; the Frank P. Zeidler Public Service Award in 2013; the first Distinguished Educator of the Year Award at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2015; and the Whitney M. Young Jr. Legacy Award from the Milwaukee Urban League in 2018.
Harpole served as chairwoman of the Health Committee for the Harambee Health Center and was active on many boards, including the City of Milwaukee Arts Board, Community Brainstorming Conference, TEMPO, Family Service of Milwaukee, the Milwaukee County Cultural Artistic and Musical Programming Advisory Council, among others. She also served as national president of Eta Phi Beta sorority from 1990 to 1994.
On Wednesday, Ald. Cavalier Johnson issued a statement to NNS about Harpole.
“Mildred was tireless in her desire to educate the public on the issues of the day – no matter if they were hot-button or more subdued. Mildred approached every challenge with a calm grace that could ground the situation and affirm to everyone that everything would be all right,” he wrote in the email. “Mildred was deeply loved by her community, by her husband, Reuben, who my heart breaks for. Mildred Harpole will be sorely missed.”
Council President Ashanti Hamilton also shared his thoughts on Harpole.
“She was a queen of this community,” he said. “She fought for fair wages, access to quality education, served as a mentor and was a great example of how to stay involved and engaged in community activism at every stage of your life. I think her legacy is going to be that you always put your best foot forward, and you never have to accept what other people think of you.”
Mayor Tom Barrett called Harpole “a powerhouse and civil rights champion in our community. “
In addition to her husband, Harpole is survived by her son, John and daughter, Annette.
Visitation for Harpole will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1 at Northwest Funeral Chapel, 6630 W. Hampton Ave. A Mass will be celebrated at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 1927 N. Vel Phillips Ave. After the Mass, a repast and testimonial for Harpole will be held from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Wisconsin Black Historical Society/Museum, 2620 W. Center St.
Edgar is a senior staff reporter for the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service. Mendez is a proud graduate of UW-Milwaukee, where he double majored in Journalism and Sociology, and of Marquette University, where he earned a master’s degree in Communication. As an accomplished journalist, Edgar’s awards include a 2018 Regional Edward R. Murrow award, several press club awards and a Society of Professional Journalists’ regional award for columns dealing with issues such as poverty, homelessness and racism.
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Millie Harpole was an extraordinary person who was present and active just at the time when Milwaukee’s social structures were very much in need of someone of her superb caliber of contributions and leadership!
Soror Harpole towered over issues and policies designed to conquer and divide the people. Her tackling footprints on multiple fronts (freedom,
educational, housing and capacity building) prompted change for the disenfranchised.
I cherish those personal pearls of wisdom she gifted upon me as I began my life’s mission to serve the public; especially children and families. She took the time to embrace me and I will secure her loving smile in my heart.
As you walk around heaven, remind us that you are ever present the sun will shine.
Though small in stature, Mrs. Harpole was a giant in Milwaukee. Her determination and dedication to improving the lives of all was remarkable. May she rest in heaven and rise in glory.
Brother Harpole:
It’s been a pleasure knowing and working with you and Mildred.
Debra and I send our prayers along with our best wishes to you. We are here to help you in anyway that we can.
Do you remember who “Blowfish” is and how that name came to be?
Call on us at anytime that you feel the need.
Ray Rosby
The victory for Mildred Harpole is won! She fought the good fight and finished her race strong! And no doubt God is pleased with her, His faithful servant, and has rewarded her with the crown of glory for a job well done! Live on Mildred! Live on!
Mildred, (Mrs Harpole), was a GIANT in the Milwaukee community. She worked diligently and tirelessly to create conditions for improving the educational opportunities for all children, but particularly African American public school females. I met Mildred while working in the North Central service Club, a community organization she started. This organization raises funds and provides scholarships for deserving African American female high school students to help them pay for college. Mildred I learned so much from you about service and giving. Thank you
Dr. Florence Johnson
Mrs. Harpole was always a source of warmth. I will remember her snug embraces and beaming smile and how it lit up her face and could pull out the best in anyone. I was so sad to hear that we lost her, but she leaves behind so much goodness, so much good work that laid the foundation for more good to come. Sincere Sympathies to the family and to our community.