Helen Wallbank Milliken, a native of Denver, Colorado, was educated at the Kent School for Girls and Smith College (B.A., 1945). After the end of the war, she married William Milliken, who she had met earlier in Denver.
In 1946, following his graduation from Yale, the Millikens settled in Traverse City, the home of William Milliken and the location of the family-owned Milliken Department Store.
Helen Milliken's interest in and involvement with Michigan politics paralleled her husband's rise within state government: his election to the State Senate in 1960, and his terms as Lieutenant Governor (1965-1969), and Governor (1969-1983).
As wife of the Governor, Helen Milliken was called upon to perform as Michigan First lady. In addition to certain ceremonial duties, however, she assumed other responsibilities and made significant contributions in the areas of the arts, environmental protection, and women's rights. She was an avid supporter of the Michigan Council for the Arts and served (since 1971) as honorary chairperson of Artrain, a traveling cultural exhibit.
Equally concerned about environmental protection, Helen Milliken spoke out on a number of issues--the control of billboard advertising, the prohibition of throw away bottles, and the restriction of oil drilling in the Pigeon River State Forest.
But without question, Helen Milliken was most outspoken on women's rights issues. She was a vigorous advocate of the Equal Rights Amendment, and wrote and spoke frequently on its behalf. In 1975, she made a tour with American Women for International Understanding to the People's Republic of China. And in 1977, she worked as convenor of the Michigan organization and delegate to the International Women's Year Conference in Houston. Beginning in 1978, she also served as co-chairperson of ERAmerica.
Throughout William Milliken's tenure as governor, Helen Milliken served in numerous organizations reflecting the variety of her own interests. Included were the Michigan Environmental Association, the Michigan Nature Association, the Society of Architects, the League of Women Voters, the Business and Professional Women's Club, the Federation for American Immigration Reform, Zero Population Growth, and the Federated Garden Club of Michigan.
From the guide to the Helen W. Milliken Papers, 1965-1982, 1969-1982, (Bentley Historical Library University of Michigan)
