SBM Blog

In Memoriam: Daisy Elliott

Daisy Elliott, former Michigan State Representative and author and co-sponsor of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, died Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015 at age 98.

“We are heartbroken to share this news,” said Badriyyah Sabree, Elliott’s granddaughter. “Our family holds dear her legacy, which includes extraordinary contributions to the state of Michigan and the nation. ... While we mourn the loss of this marvelous woman, we also celebrate her extraordinary life and hope that it serves as an example to people around the world to selflessly work to ensure all people are provided rights to full legal, social, and economic equality.”

Elliott had a tremendous impact on Michigan.

"The Civil Rights Commission would not have been put into our Constitution if it had not been for Daisy," said Mel Larsen, co-sponsor of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, at its Michigan Legal Milestone dedication ceremony in 2012. "She was the leader on that. She took that social justice attitude into the legislature when she came in."

As a co-author of the 1963 Constitution of Michigan, Elliott proposed and spearheaded the adoption of a civil rights statute that provided for the creation of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission. She also proposed that Michigan create an intermediate appellate court, which resulted in the establishment of the Michigan Court of Appeals.

During her 18 years as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives, she was a dedicated civil rights advocate, especially for workers, education, senior citizens, women and minorities. Her most well-known accomplishment was authoring and co-sponsoring the historic Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. The State Bar of Michigan commemorated the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act as a Michigan Legal Milestone in 2012.

Elliott is survived by her granddaughter Badriyyah (husband, Eric) Sabree, and her great-grandchildren Aliyah, Adam, and Yusuf (wife, Diamond) Sabree. 

The family will receive guests from noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015 at James H. Cole Home for Funerals, located at 2624 W. Grand Blvd., in Detroit. Funeral services will be performed by Rev. Dr. Charles Edward Clark, Jr. at 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 28, 2015, at the People’s Community Church, located at 8601 Woodward Ave., in Detroit. The family will receive condolences prior to the service, beginning at 10 a.m. Daisy Elliott will be laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery, located at 19975 Woodward Ave., in Detroit.

In lieu of sending flowers, please make memorial donations to the Daisy Elliott Civil Rights Foundation, 7650 Second Ave., Suite 108, Detroit, MI 48202 or People's Community Church (In memory of Daisy Elliott), 8601 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48202. 

Pictured: Daisy Elliott and Mel Larsen

Photo by Tammy Allen for the State Bar of Michigan

Waterford Township attorneys: Want to be a judge?

Governor Rick Snyder seeks candidates to fill an opening on the 51st District Court vacated by Hon. Jodi Debbrecht Switalski.

If you are a State Bar of Michigan member who resides in this judicial district and meets the qualifications for the position, access the application on the governor's website and submit it to the governor's office no later than Jan. 4, 2016. 

Contact Cheri Arwood, executive administrator of the Legal Division of the governor's office, with any further questions at 517-241-5630.

SBM Now Accepting Journalism Nominations for McCree Awards

Nominations are now open for the State Bar of Michigan's 42nd Annual Wade H. McCree Jr. Awards for the Advancement of Justice. The McCree Awards recognize Michigan broadcast, print media, and online journalists who foster greater public understanding of the inherent values of our legal and judicial system through their published materials. There is no entry fee.

To be eligible, written and online materials and radio and television broadcasts must be published and/or aired between Jan. 1, 2015, and Dec. 31, 2015. They must inform and educate citizens about the role of the law, the courts, law enforcement agencies and the legal profession in society. They should also disclose practices in need of improvement and encourage legal and legislative efforts to update and modernize our laws, courts and law enforcement agencies.

Print and online entries may consist of feature or news articles, interpretive analyses, editorials, documentaries or combinations of these. Any newspaper, website, wire service, broadcaster, magazine, radio station, legal publication or any of these organization's employees are eligible to enter.

The awards will be presented in April 2016 at Michigan State University in East Lansing in conjunction with the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

All entries should be emailed no later than Friday, February 5, 2016 to SBM Communications Manager Samantha Meinke at [email protected].

For more information, visit SBM McCree Awards or contact Samantha Meinke at [email protected] or 517-346-6332.

Nominations Open for Major State Bar Awards; Deadline is Feb. 19

Nominations are now open for major State Bar of Michigan awards that will be presented at the September 2016 Annual Meeting in Grand Rapids.

The Roberts P. Hudson Award goes to a person whose career has exemplified the highest ideals of the profession. This award is presented periodically to commend one or more lawyers for their unselfish rendering of outstanding and unique service to and on behalf of the State Bar, given generously, ungrudgingly, and in a spirit of self-sacrifice. It is awarded to that member of the State Bar of Michigan who best exemplifies that which brings honor, esteem and respect to the legal profession. The Hudson Award is the highest award conferred by the Bar.

The Frank J. Kelley Distinguished Public Service Award recognizes extraordinary governmental service by a Michigan attorney holding elected or appointed office. Created by the Board of Commissioners in 1998, it was first awarded to Frank J. Kelley for his record-setting tenure as Michigan’s chief lawyer. 

The Champion of Justice Award is given for extraordinary individual accomplishments or for devotion to a cause. No more than five awards are given each year to practicing lawyers and judges who have made a significant contribution to their community, state, and/or the nation.

The Kimberly M. Cahill Bar Leadership Award was established in memory of the 2006-07 SBM president, who passed away in January 2008. This award will be presented to a recognized local or affinity bar association, program or leader for excellence in promoting the ideal of professionalism or equal justice for all, or in responding to a compelling legal need within the community during the past year or on an ongoing basis.

The John W. Cummiskey Pro Bono Award, named after a Grand Rapids attorney who was dedicated to making legal services available to all, recognizes a member of the State Bar who excels in commitment to pro bono issues. This award carries with it a cash stipend to be donated to the charity of the recipient’s choice.

The John W. Reed Michigan Lawyer Legacy Award was introduced in 2011 and is named for a longtime and beloved University of Michigan Law School professor and Wayne State University dean. This award will be presented periodically to a professor from a Michigan law school whose influence on Michigan lawyers has elevated the quality of legal practice in the state.

All SBM award nominations are due by 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, 2016.

The Liberty Bell Award recipient is selected from nominations made by local and special-purpose bar associations. The award is presented to a non-lawyer who has made a significant contribution to the justice system. The deadline for this award is Monday, May 13, 2016.

An awards committee co-chaired by Brian D. Figot and SBM Vice President Donald G. Rockwell reviews nominations for the Roberts P. Hudson, John W. Reed, Champion of Justice, Frank J. Kelley, Kimberly M. Cahill, and Liberty Bell awards. The SBM Pro BonoInitiative Committee reviews nominations for the Cummiskey Pro Bono award. These recommendations are then voted on by the full Board of Commissioners at its April meeting.

Last year's non-winning nominations will automatically carry over for consideration this year. Nominations should include sufficient details about the accomplishments of the nominee to allow the committees to make a judgment.

Any SBM member can nominate candidates for awards. To apply online or download application forms visit www.michbar.org/programs/eventsawards. Cummiskey Award nominations can be directed to Robert Mathis at[email protected]; all other nominations can be submitted to Joyce Nordeen at [email protected]