The Michigan House passed a resolution on September 14th to recognize November 4 as Matilda R. Dodge Wilson Day in the state of Michigan.
In 1957, the Matilda Dodge Wilson family donated the entire 1,500 acre estate and $2 million to Michigan State University to create a branch college campus, which later became Oakland University.
Matilda and Alfred lived in the home until he died in 1962 and she died in 1967.
In 1940, she was appointed the 43rd lieutenant governor of Michigan, making her the first woman to serve as a lieutenant governor in the United States.
Matilda was also the first woman to sit on the board of a major automotive firm.
“I am proud to represent an area home to a University with such a colorful history,” said Rep. Webber, R-Rochester. “Matilda Dodge’s story is truly inspiring in terms of hard work and leadership, both of which are qualities that have been passed on to Oakland University and its students.”
For more information see Tanya Moutzalias, “Inside Meadow Brook Hall, the historic estate of one of the world’s wealthiest women of her time“, MLive, October 28, 2015.