By Sheryl Swingley—
MUNCIE, IN—Muncie’s Indiana House Rep. Sue Errington, who is retiring from the Indiana General Assembly at the end of her current term, which will be end of day on Election Day on Nov. 3, was presented with the Indianapolis Council of Women’s “Special Lifetime Achievement Award” on Sept. 1 at the Indianapolis Propylaeum.
Errington served four years in the Indiana Senate and 14 years in the Indiana House. During her time as a representative in both chambers, she advocated for public education; civil rights; quality of life issues, including safeguarding Indiana’s land, water and air; and equity for women and girls.
Sherry Watkins, who is co-president of the Indiana Branch of the American Association of University Women and ICW’s corresponding secretary, said in presenting Errington with her award, “Ali Brown, former executive director of the Propylaeum and current city-county councilor, recently gave a most inspiring presentation for AAUW Indiana about suffragist, activist and founder of ICW and the Propylaeum – May Wright Sewall. She said that Sue Errington is our modern-day May Wright Sewall.”
Watkins also noted that state Rep. Mitch Gore’s recent comments about Errington described her well.
Watkins shared Gore’s comments: “Sue’s been a champion for women and women’s rights and a consistent advocate for protecting our environment long before those causes were popular. Indiana is better because Sue Errington chose to serve.”
Errington began her career as a Spanish teacher and then worked 17 years as the public policy director for Indiana/Kentucky Planned Parenthood.
She served on the board of the Indiana chapter of the National Organization for Women and was instrumental in working with Birch Bayh to pass the Equal Rights Amendment in Indiana. After helping to get the ERA passed in Indiana, she traveled to Utah, Oklahoma and Missouri, spending hours organizing, giving speeches and campaigning door to door to advocate for the ERA, which was ratified by the required 38 states to be an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, but the U.S. Congress has yet to certify the ERA for addition to the U.S. Constitution.
After Errington’s announcement of her retirement, Watkins said: “Praises came flowing in for her many years of advocacy to enhance the lives of her constituents and all Hoosiers. She always kept true to her belief that government should work for people in ways that are practical, compassionate and rooted in real everyday needs. I’m impressed by so many comments from other legislators who praised Sue for her willingness to help and mentor them.”
Jean Amman, a past president of AAUW Indiana and AAUW Muncie Branch member, said, “During Sue’s time in office, she has stayed very active in many community service organizations – even serving on their boards. I know Sue plans to continue to be involved in the Muncie community even though she won’t personally be running for office.”
Errington has said, “Serving the people of Muncie has been one of the greatest honors of my life.”
The Propyleaum was founded by May Wright Sewall in 1888 as both an organization and place where women could meet and discuss freely important issues of the day without fear. Sewall and Propylaeum members went on to lead the fight for women’s suffrage in Indiana and across the country. Today approximately 20 women’s organizations interested in philanthropy, education, literature, arts and social reform make up the Indianapolis Council of Women, which was incorporated in 1892.
