Updated History of ORTA: 1947 - 1996
- ORTA
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
In the mid-1940s, celebrated educator Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus discovered a distinguished former teacher living in a backyard chicken coop because her meager pension couldn't afford proper housing or healthcare. This shocking discovery inspired Dr. Andrus's historic advocacy for older Americans and the founding NRTA and AARP.
We've updated the History of ORTA: 1947 - 1996 page on our website. Here's an excerpt.
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. "
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