A social justice fighter, Ora A. Higgins, dies at 101
She was the great-great aunt of First Lady Michelle Obama
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By Chinta Strausberg
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Mrs. Ora A. Higgins, born on September 24, 1910 in Birmingham, Alabama, passed away on Wednesday, July 25, 2012, in Arizona at the age of 101 surrounding by her family. Mrs. Higgins was the first African American personnel director for Spiegel’s Inc. and served as a teacher for 31 years, at Dunbar Vocational Evening School. Mrs. Higgins was the great-great aunt of First Lady Michelle Obama.
Mrs. Higgins, founder of the Ora Higgins Youth Foundation, celebrated her 101st birthday at the 35th anniversary of the Ora Higgins Youth Scholarship Awards Dinner, on Saturday, October 8, 2011, at the Sabre Room in Hickory Hill, Illinois.
The Foundation’s 36th annual awards dinner will be held on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at the Sabre Room continuing the legacy of her work.
Over the years, more than $500,000 in scholarships has been awarded to high school graduates throughout the Chicago area. In addition, distinguished leadership awards were presented each year to outstanding community leaders.
Mrs. Higgins earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in personnel administration and a Master’s degree in business law from Northwestern University—two concentrations that literally opened the doors for African Americans to be hired in the work force. The Rev. Harold E. Bailey was one of the many who Mrs. Higgins encouraged to complete his education. Mrs. Higgins led a full life and was enriched by the many opportunities that she had to help people. She was an intergenerational blessing from elders to youth.
In 1945, armed with her degrees, Mrs. Higgins was asked to develop the plan for the integration of Spiegel’s Inc. workforce. She became the first African American woman to achieve this task that included giving educational programs to executives and their supervisors.
She taught them the value of diversity in the workforce and successfully broke down racial myths and barriers for people of color and insisted on equal pay and equal opportunities. In 1950, Mrs. Higgins’ talent was soon recognized by downtown department stores where she developed a similar program.
Education and employment were of primary concern to Mrs. Higgins, as well as the conditions of poor people and the status of peace. She made a speech before the U.S. Department of Labor on race, poverty, and a call for peace when Lyndon B. Johnson was President.
The Historymakers also chronicled Mrs. Higgins’ life.
Mrs. Higgins was a member of numerous organizations including being the national chairman of Women in Industry, a member of the Metropolitan YWCA’s executive board, a member of the National Conference of Christian and Jews’ Women’s Division, the Chicago Urban League and many other civil rights organizations. She also served as secretary of the board for the Joint Negro Appeal Office, served on the Chicago Commission on Human Relations Employment Committee, Chicago Guidance and Personnel Association, Board member of the Rehabilitation Workshop Association, secretary Board of directors of the Joint Negro Appeal, and personnel chairman at the Metropolitan YWCA.
Mrs. Higgins received numerous awards including the Chicago Association of Commerce and Industry and the Distinguished Service Award from Tuskegee Institute.
Mrs. Higgins is survived by two children, a daughter, Dr. Murrell Higgins Duster and a son, Rev. William “Chico†Higgins, 13 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.
Funeral services are pending.
For more information, contact Chinta Strausberg at 773-667-5165 or Chintabernie@aol.com
Chinta Strausberg is a Journalist of more than 33-years, a former political reporter and a current PCC Network talk show host. You can e-mail Strausberg at: Chintabernie@aol.com.
