My grandmother Delia, was born in County Cavan Ireland, in 1872. She left Ireland in 1888 at the age of 16. She arrived in Minnesota and made her way to Superior, Wisconsin where she lived, married and raised four kids the oldest of whom was my Dad, Emmett. She died in 1975 at the age of 85. Delia came from Ireland with a decent education and a keen interest in providing for herself and her family. She started a grocery store in her community which was very successful in providing funds to be able to do what mattered most to her: send her children to college. She held education as the highest value and acted on that belief including providing an education for her daughter as well as her three sons. Grandmother Delia also taught her children and grandchildren the importance of being involved in her community. Delia ran for a local office, was elected and served for several years. She also conveyed that value to her children and grandchildren. I was raised in a home where loyalty to the Catholic Church and the Democratic Party, unions and working people were almost inseparable. Those underlying values have remained and shaped my life and work.
Mary Jean Collins is a consultant who has devoted her life to progressive issues.