MARAL Pro-Choice Michigan Mourns the Loss of Lorraine Beebe
MARAL Pro-Choice Michigan Mourns the Loss of Lorraine BeebeMARAL Founder and Pioneer for Women’s RightsLANSING - MARAL Pro-Choice Michigan mourns the passing of N. Lorraine Beebe. Ms. Beebe was one of the founding members of MARAL Pro-Choice Michigan and a pioneer for women’s rights. The 95-year-old Portage resident passed away Friday, August 12. Lorraine Beebe was a tireless defender of women’s rights and outspoken advocate for reproductive freedom. As one of the first women elected to the Michigan Senate, Lorraine helped to break the gender barrier and advocated for social change in areas such as sex education in schools, prison reforms, and abortion. As a Senator, in a heated debate to put abortion on the ballot, Lorraine’s impassioned speech on the Senate floor bravely revealed her own abortion in 1948. Lorraine was instrumental in founding organizations that support women’s causes as well as a leader in the choice community. She founded MARAL Pro-Choice Michigan in 1979, the state’s largest grassroots pro-choice organization. She also served as the chairwomen of the Michigan Women’s Commission, president of the Council for the Study of Abortion, and was a founder and leader of the Michigan Women’s Political Caucus. Throughout her life, N. Lorraine Beebe was a stalwart supporter of the women’s community. She touched our lives and hearts in so many ways and she will be sorely missed. We extend our deepest sympathy to Lorraine’s family.
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