Mildred Robbins Leet
Encyclopedia
Mildred Robbins Leet was an American
entrepreneur
and philanthropist
. She was a co-founder and Chair Emerita
of the Board of Directors of Trickle Up
, a New York
-based international Non-governmental organization
dedicated to alleviating poverty
.
Trickle Up was established in 1979 to help the lowest-earning people worldwide take their first steps out of poverty by providing conditional seed capital and business training essential to the launch of a micro-enterprise
.
One of the founders of United Cerebral Palsy
in 1948, Mrs. Leet became the first President of its Women's Division. From 1957-1964 she was the United Nations
(UN) Representative for the National Council of Women of the USA. She served as President of the Council from 1964–68, emphasizing civil rights
, international peacekeeping and organizing the first Women's Conference on National Service
. From 1968-70 she was Vice President of the International Council of Women
and became an active member on the Women's Advisory Committee on Poverty in the US Office of Economic Opportunity
. She founded the UN Hospitality Information Service, resulting in the creation of the New York City Commission for UN and Consular Corps. From 1968 to 1974 she participated in the development of the International Peace Academy.
She organized an International Task Force of Women in 1978 to prepare for the 1979 UN Conference on Science and Technology for Development. She was appointed a member of the US Delegation and the preparation resulted in a resolution focusing on women in science and technology.
Mrs. Leet was Chair of the Board of the Audrey Cohen College for Human Services, now known as the Metropolitan College of New York
, from 1986 to 1999. She is now Chair Emerita. Mrs. Leet was also Vice President of the U.S. Committee for the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), which she helped found in 1984. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations
, the Women’s Forum, Inc. and the UN International Task Force on the Informal Sector Development in Africa. She was the chairwoman of African Action on AIDS helping fund scholarships for African Girl Orphans.
In 1990, she received the Interaction Award for Spirited Championship of the Role of Women. In 1989, WomenAid honored her in England, along with Wangari Maathai
and Mother Teresa
, with the Women of the World Award presented by Princess Diana. She received the 1986 Women of Conscience Award from the National Council of Women of the USA Inc., and was the 1985 recipient of the Theodore Kheel Award from the Institute for Mediation and Conflict Resolution.
With her husband, Glen Leet, she received, in 1994, the Champion of Enterprise Award from Avon Products Inc. and the Joseph C. Wilson Award from the Rochester Association for the United Nations for "promoting world peace and human understanding through their contributions to international relations, and to the resolutions of international problems." Mr. and Mrs. Leet were recipients of the 1993 Gleitsman Foundation Award for Achievement. In 1992, she and Glen Leet received the Presidential Points of Light Citation Award, the International Humanity Service Award from the American Red Cross
Overseas Association, and the Award of Excellence from the U.S. Committee for UNIFEM.
Together with Glen Leet, she was awarded the 1988 President’s Medal from Marymount Manhattan College
President Colette Mahoney. The award was for "creating a future for thousands of impoverished people around the globe." Mr. and Mrs. Leet were also named "Peace Corps Leaders for Peace" by Peace Corps
Director Loret Miller Ruppe
, who recognized them as "Leaders for Peace, for their worldwide work in helping to better the lives of the poorest of the poor (through) the Trickle Up Program."
In 1995, Mrs. Leet was honored by InterAction, an umbrella organization
of 168 U.S.-based non-profit international development organizations, with the creation of the Mildred Robbins Leet Award. The award was established in recognition of her enduring dedication and contribution to raising awareness on gender issues. Recipients of the award included the Heifer Project International, the American Friends Service Committee, Save the Children
and Partners of the Americas.
In July 1996, Mildred Robbins Leet and Glen Leet were awarded the International Entrepreneurship Award, at the First Global Women’s Entrepreneurs Trade Fair and Investment Forum in Africa, convened in Accra
, Ghana
.
In 1997, Mrs. Leet received a distinguished service award from United Cerebral Palsy at their 50th Anniversary celebration. She received the Eleanor Schnurr Award from the United Nations Association
.
In 1998, Mrs. Leet received the NAWBO-NYC Spirit Award from the National Association of Women Business Owners and the Advancing the Status of Women Award from the Soroptimist
International of New York. In 2002, she received the National Caring Award for the Caring Institute.
In 2003, Mrs. Leet was honored in the National Women's Hall of Fame
Book of Lives and Legacies which honors women of achievement and accomplishment. The Hall of Fame is dedicated to celebrating and recognizing contributions of American Women.
Mrs. Leet was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the Audrey Cohen College for Human Services, a Doctorate of Laws from Marymount College, Tarrytown
, an Honorary Doctorate from Lynn University
, an Honorary Doctorate from Norwich University
, and an honorary doctorate from Connecticut College
. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from New York University
, and later, the Alumni Achievement Award of the New York University Alumni Association.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
entrepreneur
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
and philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
. She was a co-founder and Chair Emerita
Emeritus
Emeritus is a post-positive adjective that is used to designate a retired professor, bishop, or other professional or as a title. The female equivalent emerita is also sometimes used.-History:...
of the Board of Directors of Trickle Up
Trickle Up
Trickle Up is a nonprofit international development organization that empowers people living on less than $1.25 a day to take their first steps out of poverty by providing them with resources to build microenterprises for a better quality of life. Trickle Up is unique among microfinance agencies in...
, a New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
-based international Non-governmental organization
Non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
dedicated to alleviating poverty
Poverty
Poverty is the lack of a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter. About 1.7 billion people are estimated to live...
.
Trickle Up was established in 1979 to help the lowest-earning people worldwide take their first steps out of poverty by providing conditional seed capital and business training essential to the launch of a micro-enterprise
Micro-enterprise
A micro-enterprise is a type of small business, often registered, having five or fewer employees and requiring seed capital of not more than $35,000. The term is often used in Australia to refer to a business with a single owner-operator, and having up to 20 employees...
.
One of the founders of United Cerebral Palsy
United Cerebral Palsy
United Cerebral Palsy is an international nonprofit charitable organization consisting of a network of affiliates. UCP is a leading service provider and advocate for adults and children with disabilities, including cerebral palsy...
in 1948, Mrs. Leet became the first President of its Women's Division. From 1957-1964 she was the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
(UN) Representative for the National Council of Women of the USA. She served as President of the Council from 1964–68, emphasizing civil rights
Civil rights
Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from unwarranted infringement by governments and private organizations, and ensure one's ability to participate in the civil and political life of the state without discrimination or repression.Civil rights include...
, international peacekeeping and organizing the first Women's Conference on National Service
National service
National service is a common name for mandatory government service programmes . The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or more years in such programmes...
. From 1968-70 she was Vice President of the International Council of Women
International Council of Women
The International Council of Women was the first women's organization to work across national boundaries for the common cause of advocating human rights for women. In March and April 1888, women leaders came together in Washington D.C...
and became an active member on the Women's Advisory Committee on Poverty in the US Office of Economic Opportunity
Office of Economic Opportunity
The Office of Economic Opportunity was the agency responsible for administering most of the War on Poverty programs created as part of United States President Lyndon B. Johnson's Great Society legislative agenda.- History :...
. She founded the UN Hospitality Information Service, resulting in the creation of the New York City Commission for UN and Consular Corps. From 1968 to 1974 she participated in the development of the International Peace Academy.
She organized an International Task Force of Women in 1978 to prepare for the 1979 UN Conference on Science and Technology for Development. She was appointed a member of the US Delegation and the preparation resulted in a resolution focusing on women in science and technology.
Mrs. Leet was Chair of the Board of the Audrey Cohen College for Human Services, now known as the Metropolitan College of New York
Metropolitan College of New York
Metropolitan College of New York , formerly known as Audrey Cohen College, is a college located at 431 Canal Street in New York City. The college also maintains offices at its previous location, around the corner, at 75 Varick Street.-Academics:...
, from 1986 to 1999. She is now Chair Emerita. Mrs. Leet was also Vice President of the U.S. Committee for the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), which she helped found in 1984. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations
Council on Foreign Relations
The Council on Foreign Relations is an American nonprofit nonpartisan membership organization, publisher, and think tank specializing in U.S. foreign policy and international affairs...
, the Women’s Forum, Inc. and the UN International Task Force on the Informal Sector Development in Africa. She was the chairwoman of African Action on AIDS helping fund scholarships for African Girl Orphans.
In 1990, she received the Interaction Award for Spirited Championship of the Role of Women. In 1989, WomenAid honored her in England, along with Wangari Maathai
Wangari Maathai
Wangari Muta Mary Jo Maathai was a Kenyan environmental and political activist. She was educated in the United States at Mount St. Scholastica and the University of Pittsburgh, as well as the University of Nairobi in Kenya...
and Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa , born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu , was a Roman Catholic nun of Albanian ethnicity and Indian citizenship, who founded the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India, in 1950...
, with the Women of the World Award presented by Princess Diana. She received the 1986 Women of Conscience Award from the National Council of Women of the USA Inc., and was the 1985 recipient of the Theodore Kheel Award from the Institute for Mediation and Conflict Resolution.
With her husband, Glen Leet, she received, in 1994, the Champion of Enterprise Award from Avon Products Inc. and the Joseph C. Wilson Award from the Rochester Association for the United Nations for "promoting world peace and human understanding through their contributions to international relations, and to the resolutions of international problems." Mr. and Mrs. Leet were recipients of the 1993 Gleitsman Foundation Award for Achievement. In 1992, she and Glen Leet received the Presidential Points of Light Citation Award, the International Humanity Service Award from the American Red Cross
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross , also known as the American National Red Cross, is a volunteer-led, humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and education inside the United States. It is the designated U.S...
Overseas Association, and the Award of Excellence from the U.S. Committee for UNIFEM.
Together with Glen Leet, she was awarded the 1988 President’s Medal from Marymount Manhattan College
Marymount Manhattan College
Marymount Manhattan College is an urban, coeducational, independent, private, liberal arts college located in Manhattan, New York City, New York with a focus in performing arts. The mission of the College is to educate a socially and economically diverse student body by fostering intellectual...
President Colette Mahoney. The award was for "creating a future for thousands of impoverished people around the globe." Mr. and Mrs. Leet were also named "Peace Corps Leaders for Peace" by Peace Corps
Peace Corps
The Peace Corps is an American volunteer program run by the United States Government, as well as a government agency of the same name. The mission of the Peace Corps includes three goals: providing technical assistance, helping people outside the United States to understand US culture, and helping...
Director Loret Miller Ruppe
Loret Miller Ruppe
Loret Miller Ruppe was a Director of the Peace Corps and US Ambassador to Norway. She was the wife of U. S. Congressman Philip Ruppe of Michigan.-Early life:...
, who recognized them as "Leaders for Peace, for their worldwide work in helping to better the lives of the poorest of the poor (through) the Trickle Up Program."
In 1995, Mrs. Leet was honored by InterAction, an umbrella organization
Umbrella organization
An umbrella organization is an association of institutions, who work together formally to coordinate activities or pool resources. In business, political, or other environments, one group, the umbrella organization, provides resources and often an identity to the smaller organizations...
of 168 U.S.-based non-profit international development organizations, with the creation of the Mildred Robbins Leet Award. The award was established in recognition of her enduring dedication and contribution to raising awareness on gender issues. Recipients of the award included the Heifer Project International, the American Friends Service Committee, Save the Children
Save the Children
Save the Children is an internationally active non-governmental organization that enforces children's rights, provides relief and helps support children in developing countries...
and Partners of the Americas.
In July 1996, Mildred Robbins Leet and Glen Leet were awarded the International Entrepreneurship Award, at the First Global Women’s Entrepreneurs Trade Fair and Investment Forum in Africa, convened in Accra
Accra
Accra is the capital and largest city of Ghana, with an urban population of 1,658,937 according to the 2000 census. Accra is also the capital of the Greater Accra Region and of the Accra Metropolitan District, with which it is coterminous...
, Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
.
In 1997, Mrs. Leet received a distinguished service award from United Cerebral Palsy at their 50th Anniversary celebration. She received the Eleanor Schnurr Award from the United Nations Association
United Nations Association
The United Nations Associations are non-governmental organizations that exist in various countries to enhance the relationship between the people of a member state and the United Nations, raise public awareness of the UN and its work, promote the general goals of the UN and act as an advisory body...
.
In 1998, Mrs. Leet received the NAWBO-NYC Spirit Award from the National Association of Women Business Owners and the Advancing the Status of Women Award from the Soroptimist
Soroptimist
Founded in 1921, Soroptimist International is a world-wide volunteer service organization for business and professional women who work to improve the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world...
International of New York. In 2002, she received the National Caring Award for the Caring Institute.
In 2003, Mrs. Leet was honored in the National Women's Hall of Fame
National Women's Hall of Fame
The National Women's Hall of Fame is an American institution. It was created in 1969 by a group of people in Seneca Falls, New York, the location of the 1848 Women's Rights Convention...
Book of Lives and Legacies which honors women of achievement and accomplishment. The Hall of Fame is dedicated to celebrating and recognizing contributions of American Women.
Mrs. Leet was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the Audrey Cohen College for Human Services, a Doctorate of Laws from Marymount College, Tarrytown
Marymount College, Tarrytown
Marymount College of Fordham University was a women's college in the United States, eventually to become part of Fordham University. The Marymount campus was located in Tarrytown, New York. Enrollment peaked at 1,112 in 1978, but by 2004 it enrolled 844 students...
, an Honorary Doctorate from Lynn University
Lynn University
Lynn University is a private, non-profit university in Boca Raton, Florida, founded in 1962.The university currently hosts students from 40 states and 90 nations...
, an Honorary Doctorate from Norwich University
Norwich University
Norwich University is a private university located in Northfield, Vermont . The university was founded in 1819 at Norwich, Vermont, as the American Literary, Scientific and Military Academy. It is the oldest of six Senior Military Colleges, and is recognized by the United States Department of...
, and an honorary doctorate from Connecticut College
Connecticut College
Connecticut College is a private liberal arts college located in New London, Connecticut.The college was founded in 1911, as Connecticut College for Women, in response to Wesleyan University closing its doors to women...
. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
, and later, the Alumni Achievement Award of the New York University Alumni Association.