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Growing up in the dust-bowl of the 1930's, Mary acutely observed the loss of dignity of working people, felt their suffering and heard their frustrations. Unsatisfied with simplistic excuses for such conditions, she diligently sought the true causes of the depression. Mary wanted to change society, to build a better world for people. The mid-century presented many issues and causes - the right to organize, the peace movement, the feminist movement, worker's culture, technological change. Mary was engaged in all of these. Her response was personal and thoughtful. She was a trade union women's auxiliary organizer, newspaper editor, strike support organizer, youth organizer, and federal candidate. She attempted to organize her fellow workers, and established a food co-operative. Her belief in the cause was equalled by her concern for the person. She knew the worker fired for trying to organize. She welcomed the American evading the draft. She advised the young working mother. She lovingly raised five children. Her experience confirmed that people sought change when they realized their individual self-worth. Many learned this message, and, for them, Mary Campbell became a wise teacher. |