History of ORTA: 1947 - 1996
The formation of the Ohio Retired Teachers Association was announced on December 30, 1947, at a lunch meeting at the Southern Hotel in Columbus, Ohio.
It marked the merging of the Retired Teachers League of Ohio with the Retired Schoolmasters Club and the Retired Teachers Club.
The Retired Teachers League of Ohio, totally male and supposedly state-wide, had formed in 1946 to protest the lack of consideration for retired teachers by the Legislature. In 1945, laws had been enacted to increase the contribution from each teacher to 5%, the maximum base to $3000, and the rate of prior service from 1 1/3% to 2%. However, those teachers who had retired before 1945 were not included in the increased percentage.
The Retired Schoolmasters Club was a group of fewer than one hundred men in Franklin County. No list of its officers was permanently recorded. The organization became active with the RTLO in pursuit of legislative matters affecting retired teachers. Local associations were beginning to realize that a state association could yield more power when dealing with the state or national government.
At the same time, in Franklin County, retired women teachers had formed the Retired Teachers Club. Its membership exceeded that of the RTLO. Miss Esther Buchman served as its president; Mrs. Gertrude Bulen, vice-president; and Miss Margaret Zeibold, secretary.
The Ohio Retired Teachers Association came into being as result of rebuffing dealt by the Ohio General Assembly to a delegation led by D. J. Schurt, the last president of RTLO. Accompanied by members of the Retired Schoolmasters Club, the group appeared before the Assembly to plead the cause for retired teachers. They were dismissed after being told that they were not truly representative of Ohio's retired teachers: they lacked representation of the northern part of the state and also women.
It must be pointed out that in the 1940s women were playing a significant role in education. High school teachers included both men and women. School administrators were predominantly men, but most elementary teachers were women. Female teachers had already gained respect, recognition, and organizational experience in local, state, and national education associations and with the OEA and NEA Classroom Teachers Departments.
Thus, the Retired Teachers League of Ohio extended its membership to retired women teachers at the historic luncheon on December 30, 1947, attended by 148 individuals. The speaker was H.L. Cotterman, a lecturer and professor of teacher training from Capital University, Columbus, Ohio.
After reading the minutes of the 1946 annual RTLO meeting, William C. Merritt reported the reorganization, in which both men and women were eligible for membership on equal terms.
O.E. Duff, of Columbus presented the proposed constitution. Erman W. Bell of Columbus made a motion that it be adopted. It was seconded by L.C. Brown of Columbus and J.W. Insley of Findlay, Ohio. The motion carried. George E. McCord suggested that the term "pension" be replaced by the words "retirement allowance".
The purpose clause of the constitution and by-laws of the Ohio Retired Teachers Association adopted on that historic day read as follows:
…to promote fellowship among retirees and educators of Ohio; to sponsor and support such legislation as shall contribute to the comfort and welfare of the State and to the interest of schools and educators locally and nationally; to solicit members and to accept dues therefrom; to publish a periodical, pamphlets, and letters for the benefit of the members of this association; to establish and maintain a home o r homes for the retired teachers of Ohio; acquire by purchase, lease, o r otherwise, real property, necessary or convenient therefore; constructing, improving, and maintaining any buildings thereon; receiving, holding, investing, and disbursing gifts, bequests, and other funds; and doing any and all things necessary or incident thereto.
Formation of the Ohio Retired Teachers Association marked a monumental milestone for teachers seeking improvement in their retirement benefits. The uniting of retirees had been a long time in coming.
Prior to the existence of the State Teachers Retirement System, twenty- two cities had established their own retirement plans. The city of Cincinnati Ohio, in 1896 was the first to provide for its retired teachers. The maximum pension permitted by legislation of 1896 and amended in 1902 was $500 per year. By 1914 all twenty-two of these city systems were having financial problems, and the smaller school districts had not been able to fund retirement programs.
Sentiment for a teacher retirement system was beginning to grow. Ohio Governor James M . Cox supported a statewide program financed by contributions from both teachers and the state.
In June of 1916, at a meeting of the Ohio State Teachers Association, now the Ohio Education Association, a retirement fund committee was formed to draft a bill providing for a statewide retirement system. A year later the organization unanimously endorsed introducing a plan for retirement into the General Assembly and overseeing its passage.
And so it happened.
A tentative bill, H. B. 359, was introduced into the Ohio House of Representatives by Mr. C. H. Freeman of Ada. On March 11, 1919 he read the bill for the second time, and it was referred to the Committee on Common Schools. On April 9, 1919, the bill passed the House: a week later, the
Senate. Governor Cox signed it into law on May 8, 1919, making it effective 90 days later on August 8, 1919.
On September 1, 1920 when the State Teachers Retirement System became effective, eleven of the cities who had offered individual retirement programs for retired teachers were totally broke. All local programs were absorbed by the new state-wide system. In order to qualify for retirement, however, teachers had to teach during the 1920-21 school year.
During the 1920s approximately two thousand retired with more than 35 years of service. Their monthly benefits were $55 - $65. The amount today may seem very inadequate, but at that time teacher salaries were also low.
In the 1930s, 3500 teachers retired with approximately 36 years of service; the average monthly pension was $58, but no one complained. It was during the Depression years, and retired teachers had many colleagues who were unemployed and without financial resources. One of every four workers was without work. Clerks were earning five dollars per week. Although yesterday's bread could be purchased for three or four cents per loaf, three donuts for ten cents, and coffee a
nickel per cup, many people had to line up for the soup kitchens.
With the 1940s came World War II, economic and social changes, and the introduction to new terms such as inflation and cost of living. Before 1940, only superintendents and some administrators paid federal income tax, but the 1940s brought changes.
Active teachers were clamoring for increases in their eventual retirement benefits. Whereas in 1920 the original contribution from each teacher and from public funds was 4% on salaries up to $2000, in 1944 this was raised to 5% on salaries up to $3000. When the teacher retired, his retirement benefits would automatically increase.
For the teachers who had retired from 1921-1940, these changes had no effect on their monthly check. The Ohio State Teachers Retirement Fund Committee and its actuary had carefully formulated the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio so that retirees' benefits could never be reduced, but no provisions had been made to meet the rising living costs and inflation experienced by the retired teacher.
Retired teachers of the 1940s were thus becoming increasingly aware that increases in their monthly benefit grants had to come from the state legislature – either from funds of the retirement system or from general funds. When these retirees also recognized the accomplishments of active teachers through their organizations, they realized that this was the direction in which they must go to
bring pressure upon the state lawmakers.
Out of this consternation and frustration came the Retired Schoolmasters and Retired Teachers clubs of Franklin County, the Retired Teachers League of Ohio, and then the Ohio Retired Teachers Association
The name of the new organization of retired teachers was probably influenced by that of the recently founded National Retired Teachers Association. Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, who had taught in Chicago, Illinois, before moving to Los Angeles, California, was concerned about the financial plight of many retired teachers. She retired in 1944 and three years later founded the NRTA. A half- century later every state had a state retired teachers or school employee association. Most groups are still members of the NRTA. Ohio Retired Teachers Association affiliation became official October 10, 1949.
The first executive board of ORTA consisted of thirty-three members. Duties were assigned to the Committee on Social Welfare, the Committee on Legislation, the Committee on Retirement Building and Homes, and the Social Committee. District directors had the title of OEA District Coordinators because they had assumed the OEA geographical districts. The six districts were named
Central, East, North-East, North-West, South-East, and South-West. The county served as the unit for forming chapters.
The first issue of The ORTA News was published in June 1948. Esther Buchman served as its editor.
In 1949, the roles of the three secretaries - corresponding, recording, and publicity were absorbed by one, the Executive Secretary. The committees of Social Welfare and Retirement Building and Homes were combined, and the OEA District Coordinators became known simply as District Coordinators.
In addition, a publicity department consisting of an editor, a managing editor, and a correspondent was formed.
On June 18, 1949 at the annual meeting in Westerville, Ohio, a vote was taken on the subject of incorporation. There were 86 votes cast in favor, one unmarked, and none against. The official name, thereupon, became the Ohio Retired Teachers Association, Inc. All chapters organized before June 18, 1949, were designated charter members.
At the January 7, 1950, meeting of the Board of Trustees, later called the Executive Board, eight standing committees were named. The organization of the Ohio Retired Teachers Association, Inc. was then as follows:
Nine Trustees - Elected by the members. Elect a president, vice-president, executive secretary, state treasurer. Appoint department chairmen and district directors.
President - General administration, committee chairman ex-officio, signs vouchers and membership cards.
Vice-President - Chairman of District Directors, Chairman of Departments.
Executive Secretary - Charge of all records and correspondence. Signs and issues membership cards.
State Treasurer - Bonded. Charge of collecting and disbursing all moneys.
Member of Finance Committee. Signs all vouchers,
Department Chairmen - (Finance, Publications, Public Relations, Welfare, Legislation, Membership, Education, Social Chairmen of state committees, ex- officio chairmen of district and chapter committees.
District Directors - Supervision of chapter organization.
In a message in the first ORTA Quarterly, President Albert Doty wrote, "If ever an organization is needed, it is NOW.... Advancement is made only when leadership is followed by full member cooperation... No one can longer sit on the sideline if you believe our aims."
He was undoubtedly alluding to the stunning blow that retired teachers had received from the 97th General Assembly. It had enacted an amendment to the Teachers Retirement Act that provided for an additional basic pension of $180 annually, $15 monthly, for all teachers retiring after June 30, 1947. Those retiring before that date were excluded.
The discriminatory nature and injustice of this bill helped ORTA to grow to 3,400 members in its first year. Annual dues were one dollar per year. Voluntary contributions were often sought to pay for lobbying.
Seeking contributions Doty eloquently pleaded in the Quarterly, "Our fortunes are not in the stars... but in our willingness to work and to give that will wipe out a grave injustice and see all retired teachers used alike - all receiving the additional $180 annually."
Retirees responded, sending in amounts ranging from one dollar to twenty-five. Some displayed such ardor for the campaign that they overlooked payment of their 1950 dues.
On February 22, 1949, S.B. 210 - - Dobbs-Boyd-Daniels-Mechem - - was introduced in the Ohio Senate. Its purpose was to correct the unfairness levied upon the retired teachers excluded from the additional basic annual pension of $180.
The following excerpt by L.L. Disher from the September, 1949 ORTA Quarterly exemplifies the efforts of dedication and perseverance of the early members:
"The bill having received a majority vote, was sent to the Rules Committee, where it was bottled up for more than 3 weeks. This committee, it was generally agreed, was under the absolute control of the Governor. I knew from an extensive and intensive canvas of the House that, if the bill reached the House floor, it would pass by a sizable majority. Evidently the Governor knew this too. That no doubt was the reason why he ordered the bill killed in the Insurance Committee and bottled up in the Rules Committee."
Everything possible was done to get the bill on the House floor for a vote, but with the Governor in control of the Rules Committee, ably assisted by Speaker John Cantwell, what could we do?
We did about everything. All our efforts to see the Governor, that we might present our cause, and answer any objections he might have to S.B. 210 and its financing, were unsuccessful.
Finally, on the evening of July 13, I phoned Mr. Doty and requested he contact the representatives of the five districts of the O.R.T.A., our objective being to see the Governor. He did so. The next day the delegation was on hand coming from every part of the state. Representative Miller (Fairfield) had an appointment for our delegation to see the Governor at 10:15 A. M. We waited in the reception room 1 hour - 2 hours - 2 1/2 hours, determined to sweat it out. Finally the Governor's private secretary came out and informed us we could not see the Governor - he was too busy. Under our strong protestations, she weakened, went back into his office, came out again, and said the Governor would see us. After waiting, in all, more than 3 hours, we were ushered into the Governor's office. He received us courteously. We presented our case the best we could in 15 or 20 minutes. He would promise nothing. He had made up his mind after hearing only one side of the case. (It seems a little strange for a former judge to do that - don't you think?)
But we did not give up even then. We worked all Friday night and up to 12:55 am, Saturday morning, hoping that a parliamentary maneuver, which some of our friends in the house were trying to bring into play, would put the bill on the House floor for a vote. The bill died in the Rules Committee at 12:55 a.m., Saturday morning, July 16."
There were occasions for rejoicing, however. In 1968, following fourteen months of unremitting, grueling efforts by ORTA members, Sub. H.B. 59 was passed by both Houses on February 27, 1968, becoming effective on July1,1968.
It provided an increase in teachers' pensions totaling $3,600,000 per annum. Among other changes it guaranteed a minimum of three dollars for every retiree from the earliest date of retirement through June 1968. This legislation marked the largest amount of money ever voted by the Legislature for educators' pensions. Hazel L. Koppenfoefer, editor of the Quarterly, termed it "a gallant victory".
Nearly thirty years later this amount granted to retirees seems nominal, but in 1968 it was welcomed. Koppenhoefer explained in the Autumn 1968 Quarterly:
"Thirty-six dollars will pay one-third to one-half of the rent for a modest apartment for one month; or the telephone bill, party-line services, six or seven months (or allow the luxury of one long-distance call, night rate, per month to a loved one far away; or the gas and electric charges for three or four months; or the cost of a daily newspaper for a year..
Thirty-six dollars will buy two pairs of well-made, stylish shoes or three pairs of plainer walking shoes. It will cover a new hat, gloves, and an umbrella or vinyl purse or a dress or two at sales.
Thirty-six dollars will not go far with doctor, dentist, oculist, druggist bills even with Medicare if health fails, but it will pay several months NRTA insurance against catastrophic illness.
And -- what do you know? -- it will pay dues to ORTAfor 18 years or combined local, state, and national for seven years with a dollar for checks and postage! ... This matter of $36.00 is, indeed, remarkable. "
Ohio Retired Teachers Association and National Retired Teacher Association
Almost from the beginning of the Ohio Retired Teachers Association it has maintained a close working relationship with the National Retired Teachers Association, dating back to 1949 when Ohio Retired Teachers Association officially became an affiliate. The two organizations shared similar goals - primarily to better the economic, social, and professional status of retired teachers.
Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, who was described in the ORTA Quarterly of Autumn 1967, as "the little lady from California, the big spirit that helped spread its influence across the nation, brought two great organizations to life, and changed the pattern of retirement living for hundreds of thousands...", founded the National Retired Teachers Association in 1947.
Stately, auburn-haired, blue-eyed and California's first woman high school principal, Andrus was forced to retire upon reaching 65, the state's mandatory retirement age, with a monthly pension of 60 dollars. She was morally incensed over the status of retired teachers. Many without pension or without adequate benefits lived unforgotten in poverty. Only thirteen states, including Ohio, and the District of Columbia, had at that time retired teachers associations. Through Andrus' zeal and drive on October 13, 1947, at a meeting of the California Retired Teachers Association the National Retired Teachers Association was formed Other state retired teacher organizations quickly became members.
The first annual convention of NRTA was held in St. Louis in 1950. A year later its membership had reached 5000, and NEA accepted NRTA as a department. The first edition of the NRTA Journal appeared. Through the publication edited by Andrus, she urged members to stay active and well-informed to find second careers, and to be actively involved in their communities and government
In 1953, in Ojai, California, a national retirement complex for retired teachers was built by Andrus using NRTA funds. Teachers paid $4000 plus a monthly fee of $135 for room, board, and lifetime medical care. Warned that these charges were too low, Andrus countered by saying that fees would be increased as vacancies became available.
Andrus desired to provide retirees with health coverage. Thirty-one insurance companies, unwilling to insure persons 65 years of age and over, rejected her request. In 1955 she successfully formed an alliance with a New York insurance broker, Leonard Davis. Davis realized the profit that could be accrued, and persuaded a Chicago, Illinois company to provide the coverage. This was heralded as the first nationwide offering for retired persons. The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare labeled it a unique social achievement. Retired teachers, including those of Ohio, by the thousands endorsed the coverage.
Andrus continued to be concerned for retired persons. Aware that all older persons face similar concerns and moved by overwhelming requests from individuals other than teachers, she founded the American Association of Retired Persons in 1958.
By 1959 the membership of NRTA had increased to 65,000. ORTA/NRTA members could enroll in the well-planned offerings of the NRTA Travel Service such as the first all-inclusive tour of Europe consisting of 45 days and costing $895. They also could avail themselves to a non-profit pharmacy service that allowed them to purchase at a substantial savings prescription drugs, medical needs, and even convalescent aids.
On July 13, 1967, Andrus, who had addressed ORTA members on innumerable occasions, died in Long Beach, California, at the age of 82 from a heart attack.
At Grey Gables the retirees had longer longevity than had been estimated. The guaranteed fees could not pay the medical liability totaling an estimated 4 million dollars. AARP covered the loss, and NRTA merged with AARP in 1982.
The ORTA board, representing 30,000 teachers, strongly opposed the affiliation because members had not been extended the right to vote on the matter. Furthermore, NRTA members had not been made aware of the impending bankruptcy.
However, through discussions ORTA and AARP developed a set of guidelines and a mutually satisfactory working relationship. In the years ahead NRTA/ AARP extended to Ohio's retired educators life, auto, and homeowner insurances. A Defensive Driving Program was initiated. ORTA members continued to attend White House Conferences on Aging, share in efforts for legislative actions and to participate with NRTA in ORTA area conferences.
Individuals who have served as AARP/ORTA coordinators have been H.D. West from Cincinnati, Ohio, who served from January 1983 through December 1985. He was followed by former ORTA President Harold Wissman from Hamilton, Ohio, filling the office from January 1, 1985, through December 31,1988. Succeeding him and serving through December 31, 1992, was Mary B. Smith of Youngstown, Ohio.
Donald C. LeRoy
In 1996 Donald C. LeRoy is completing his fourth year in the role off state coordinator. A graduate of Hamilton High School, he holds degrees earned from Miami University Oxford, Ohio, his bachelor's in 1951 and his master's in 1961, and he also has a degree in pastoral ministries. Having taught elementary education in Hamilton Ohio, from 1952 to 1962, he served as elementary principal in Fairfield City Schools from 1962 until his retirement in 1981. He has been a volunteer at Hamilton Hospital for over 14 years and a trustee of the Judson Care Center in Cincinnati. For four years he was treasurer for the Butler County RTA, an ORTA trustee for Butler County RTA, and president of the Butler County Easter Seals Organization as well as president of the Hamilton-Fairfield YMCA Travel Forum.
Fifty years after the founding of both the National Retired Teachers Association and the Ohio Retired Teachers Association the two organizations still cooperatively strive to improve the benefits of retired teachers. The NRTA, now part of AARP, works for the Ohio retiree on the national level; ORTA on the state level.
Do you have more information about ORTA's history? Send it to publications@orta.org