2001 Assembly Joint Resolution 26
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: the life and public service of Sister Thomas More Bertels.
Whereas, Sister Thomas More Bertels, OSF, Ph.D., was born Louise Noel Bertels on January 18, 1918, in Ironwood, Michigan; and
Whereas, in 1939 she entered Holy Family Convent in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and in 1942 professed as a Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity accepting the religious name of Thomas More; and
Whereas, academically Sister earned the degrees of Bachelor of Arts, Masters of Arts, and Doctor of Philosophy, and after teaching at various high schools in Wisconsin and Michigan became a respected and renowned professor at Silver Lake College of Manitowoc, established and operated by her order; and
Whereas, Sister's love and concern for the future of agriculture and the role of farm women in agriculture lead her to be a co-founder of Wisconsin Women for Agriculture, charter member of American Agri-Women, and founding member of the International Chamber of Agriculture; and
Whereas, Sister Thomas More Bertels championed numerous causes on behalf of agriculture and the agricultural product producers not only by example, but also by word as expressed in her essay "A Call To Power", her book entitled "In Pursuit of Agri Power: The One Thing North American Farmers and Ranchers Can't Produce", and written features in the books "It Takes A Hero" and "Women of Northeast Wisconsin Dreamers and Doers"; and
Whereas, in her lifetime, Sister received countless awards and recognition of her achievements academically, and on behalf of agriculture, such as: being named Outstanding Educator of America; founding member of the Center for International Security Studies of the American Security Council Education Foundation, appointment to the Board of Governors of the Wisconsin State Bar; and the prestigious Outstanding Achievement, Leaven, and Veritas awards of the American Agri-Women; and
Whereas, affectionately, Sister was considered by her dearest friends in life to be a mentor; a motivator; a "Flying Farmers Nun" because of her many travels worldwide on behalf of agriculture; one provoking action and setting a standard as a goal for farm women; God's voice of reason for American agriculture; a "hell-raising nun" who stirred people to think about solutions to their problems; one who possessed a "kick-in-the-pants" approach to farmer's problems; an Agri-Women Sister; a dear friend; and "our dear Sister T. More"; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin Legislature express their sorrow at the death of Sister Thomas More Bertels on July 24, 2000; commend the legacy Sister left on behalf of agriculture and women in agriculture; and extend their condolences to her family, friends, her religious family of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity, and her agricultural family of the Wisconsin Women for Agriculture; and, be it further
Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide copies of this joint resolution to the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Women for Agriculture.
