Political Quotes

“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.…”