Louise Barrows Northam

NORTHAM, Louise Barrows
of Kalamazoo Passed away June 22, 2012 at the age of 97. Louise was born in Sacramento, CA on October 5, 1914, the daughter of Selden and Elsa Hildner Barrows. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Robert S. Barrows. The family moved to Kalamazoo in 1916. She attended the Training School and State High School operated by WMU. After graduating from Kalamazoo College in 1936, she received an MA in Social Work at Michigan State in 1939. She was a County Social Worker in Kalamazoo and Northern MI before joining the Kalamazoo YWCA as their Business and Industrial Girls Secretary. At MSU in 1937, she met the love of her life, Jack Northam, and they married in 1941, six months before Pearl Harbor. Soon after his WWII service, they were in Manhattan, KS during 1947 to 1957 where she organized a Manhattan Civil Rights Commission. After returning to Kalamazoo in 1957, she served on the Kalamazoo Public School Board during 1962-1968. She was active in many social action and inter-racial groups. She worked for equal rights for women through the First Presbyterian Church, where she was very active as a member for many years, and the League of Women Voters. In 1994 she received a Distinguished Service Award from Kalamazoo College where she had long been the 1936 class agent and also received a Citation of Merit in 2005. In 2002 she and Jack moved to The Fountains at Bronson Place. She is survived by her husband Jack and children; Elaine Tom Lydon, Joanne Greg Russell, John Christine Northam and Ross Northam. There are 5 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. She was an early advocate for women's rights and was active in many social affairs. Also she was a postcard collector and dealer. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church or Rose Arbor Hospice. A memorial service will take place on Thursday, July 5th, 3:00 o'clock, at The Fountains at Bronson Place. Cremation has taken place.