On September 14, the Michigan House passed a resolution to recognize November 4 as Matilda R. Dodge Wilson Day in the state of Michigan.
Matilda Dodge Wilson is known as the “begetter of the University” for her leadership in the establishment and preservation of Oakland University.
In 1940, she was appointed the 43rd lieutenant governor of Michigan, making her the first woman to serve as a lieutenant governor in the United States.
“I am proud to represent an area home to a University with such a colorful history,” said Rep. Michael Webber, District 45, R-Rochester. “Matilda Dodge’s story is truly inspiring in terms of hard work and leadership, both of which are qualities that have been passed on to Oakland University and its students.”
Rep. Webber offered the following resolution in helping create this day of recognition:
House Resolution No. 330.
A resolution to declare November 4, 2016, as Matilda R. Dodge Wilson Day in the state of Michigan.
Whereas, Matilda R. Dodge Wilson was appointed the 43rd Lieutenant Governor of the state of Michigan in 1940, making her the first woman to serve as lieutenant governor in the United States; and
Whereas, Matilda R. Dodge Wilson was elected to the State Board of Agriculture in 1931, the governing body of Michigan State University, where she served as a trustee until 1937 and was named Trustee Emeritus in 1960; and
Whereas, Matilda R. Dodge Wilson and her husband Alfred Wilson donated Meadow Brook Estate and $2 million in 1957 to establish Michigan State University Oakland, which later became Oakland University; and
Whereas, Matilda R. Dodge Wilson was posthumously inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame in 1997; and
Whereas, Oakland University will launch the OU Women’s Leadership Institute and will hold its inaugural conference on November 4, 2016. Participants from higher education, business, non-profits, government, and health care will meet. Research and best practices that promote the advancement of women in leadership will be shared. This event will pay tribute to Matilda R. Dodge Wilson for her significant leadership; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare November 4, 2016, as Matilda R. Dodge Wilson Day in the state of Michigan. We proclaim our utmost thanks and appreciation to Matilda R. Dodge Wilson for her vision, generosity, and significant contributions as a strong woman of leadership in the state of Michigan. We honor Matilda R. Dodge Wilson, who is known as “begetter of the University,” for her leadership in the establishment and preservation of Oakland University.
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