The U.S. in the early 1940s was a tumultuous place. Firmly entrenched in World War II, with many men headed overseas, the country saw women thrust into unfamiliar roles on the home front.<\/p>\n
While many women took temporary positions during the war, Beverly Milner began blazing her own trail.<\/p>\n
Milner is a pioneer, a role model for a generation of women and those who follow. The 102-year-old Freeland, Michigan, native pursued a career in mathematics and science at a time when women were entering the workplace but few in professions requiring an advanced education.<\/p>\n
Much like Starr Founder Floyd Starr, Milner followed her passion and was able to carve out a remarkable career.<\/p>\n
She attended nearby Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, where she received a bachelor\u2019s degree in 1935.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere weren\u2019t many women at Central during those years studying what I was,\u201d Milner recalled. \u201cMaybe two out of 50 students were women. My pursuit of math was discouraged, but I guess I\u2019m stubborn so I did it anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n
After graduation Milner entered the education arena as a teacher. She spent a handful of years at a few different schools and while she enjoyed the academic environment, she was looking for a change of scenery.<\/p>\n
Milner decided to pursue graduate school and earned her master\u2019s degree in mathematics in 1943 from the University of Michigan.<\/p>\n
Working as a teacher continued \u2014this time in St. Johns, Michigan \u2014 until her mother noticed an intriguing opportunity.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy mother saw that Dow (Chemical Co.) was hiring in the labs,\u201d Milner said. \u201cShe asked me if I\u2019d like her to call about the jobs, and I said I\u2019d like her to do that. I was lucky enough to get an interview scheduled during Christmas break.\u201d<\/p>\n
She impressed enough during her interview that Milner had her choice of two jobs, taking one where she had the opportunity to work in the spectroscopy lab, becoming one of the first women to work in the labs at Dow.<\/p>\n
Her focus was working to replicate colors of household appliances and other equipment to make plastics.<\/p>\n
\u201cA company would send in a piece of a refrigerator, for example, and I would match the color so we could sell the company our plastics,\u201d Milner said. \u201cIt was fun, and I loved my job. My supervisor was wonderful. I owe the opportunity I had there to him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Milner, who has never married nor had children, was a single woman working in what was traditionally a male environment. Even when men returned from the war, as many women were ushered out of more prominent positions, Milner stayed.<\/p>\n
She retired from Dow in 1970. While she may be small in stature, Milner\u2019s professional accomplishments are nothing less than gigantic.<\/p>\n
Attaining career success was fulfilling to her, but she also wanted to be active in philanthropy. There are several causes near to Milner\u2019s heart. Upon learning about Starr\u2019s work, her desire to donate married nicely with her love of helping children.<\/p>\n
\u201cI read about Starr\u2019s work, and I just thought Floyd Starr was a great man,\u201d Milner said. \u201cI thought that was a place I\u2019d like to help. It\u2019s great that he took in those first two boys and boys like that who were troubled and unhappy, and everything grew from there.\u201d<\/p>\n
She was so compelled with Starr\u2019s mission that she decided to make the more than two-hour drive to Albion with her mother to visit the campus.<\/p>\n
After supporting Starr for many years, Milner has generously included the organization in her estate plans, in addition to her other interests. She continues to support both of her alma maters, as well as groups that assist animals like the Humane Society of the United States.<\/p>\n
Although the Starr Milner first learned about has changed significantly over the years, the mission remains the same.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe campus at Starr was so nice,\u201d Milner said. \u201cAll of the people with Starr I\u2019ve met are nice people. I never got the opportunity to meet Floyd Starr, but I\u2019m happy to know that Starr continues to do good work.\u201d<\/p>\n