I
remember two aspects that stand out from
her time – the first one she made
a visit to the UK en route home to the USA
after a Board meeting in Feb 1982 in Hong
Kong that was a successful but tiring experience
for her. As the UK PRO, I was there to get
publicity for her crowded schedule, which
included a major international luncheon
at the prestigious Porter Tun room, an
opportunity
for her to meet members at Brown’s,
a leading London hotel and a visit to Cheltenham
in the West of England for another big event
and yet another big speech. She charmed
everyone with her manner but also impressed
them with her serious intent to make IFBPW
a force in the future – or as the
Hong Kong theme had said – the future
is now.
Then
came that famous occasion in August 1983,
when with her great friend Polly Maldenwald
and other USA members, they had the USA
President, Ronald Reagan come to the Congress
hotel to apologise for reneging on the invitation
to the White House for busloads of BPW members
looking forward to this event. Catching
less headlines but a day to remember was
the one attached to that congress and organised
by Esther Hymer, when 400 people from 30
countries had a whole day conference chaired
by Maxine which covered the whole spectrum
of the UN work and particularly for women.
We
had not seen so much of Maxine in recent
years so I was very happy when she came
to the Vancouver Congress in 1999 and so
appreciated the time she gave whenever I
phoned or emailed her to discuss matters
when I was International President. The
serious remarks were always laced with her
humour and affection. Outside of seasonal
greetings, we last exchanged some thoughts
just before Lucerne in 2005, when she asked
me to "fly the flag for her."
Farewell
to an International President who stood
tall but met everyone on their level. It
was a delight to have known her and we must
never forget her famous maxim Together we
CAN make a difference!"
By
Sylvia G. Perry,
International President 1996 - 1999 |
