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Obituaries from page 69

Lawyer And Activist

A

llyn Carol Ravitz, a longtime
to help successfully defend two women
Detroit-area attorney and activ- who’d killed their rapists in self-defense.
ist, most recently of Novi, died
Gloria Steinem and Lily Tomlin showed
Oct. 7, 2016, after a yearlong battle with
up to speak. Florence Ballard, one of
corticobasal syndrome, a
the original members of
neurodegenerative disease as
the Supremes, came and
rare and unique as she was.
sang an a cappella version
She was 74.
of Helen Reddy’s “I Am
Mrs. Ravitz was brilliant,
Woman.” She was later
witty, gregarious, goofy, gen-
featured in Passing the
erous, loving and strong.
Torch, a documentary about
She was born in
feminism in Michigan, and
Greensboro, N.C., but was
in the book Feminists Who
raised in Elizabeth, N.J.,
Changed America (1963-
right outside of Manhattan.
1975).
Her love of all things New
Mrs. Ravitz was a force to
York City — from Broadway Allyn Carol Ravitz
be reckoned with in court-
to real cheesecake — never
rooms. She was credited
faded, even after Michigan
with trying (and winning)
became her home.
the first sexual harassment
She was a graduate of Smith College in
jury trial in the country. She represented
Northampton, Mass., and the University
female steel workers who were forced out
of Detroit School of Law. The latter
of their jobs when they became pregnant.
she attended while pregnant and after
Her law practice, representing women
University of Michigan Law School turned and men in discrimination and divorce
her down for a scholarship because she
proceedings, flourished through the late
was married to a man who already had
1990s, when she retired.
a degree from the school. That injustice
She remained an activist after retire-
fueled what already burned inside her.
ment. She was involved with the Michigan
Starting in the early 1970s, she was
Democratic Party and continued march-
on the frontlines of second-wave femi-
ing for civil rights, both for women and
nism. She served as legal counsel for
the LGBT communities.
the National Organization of Women in
She loved animals and her many pets
Michigan, was a devoted pro-choice activ- over the years. She fought for swans on
ist and advocated for the Equal Rights
Wolverine Lake, where she lived for sev-
Amendment. She helped establish the
eral decades. If she could have hugged
nation’s first all-women’s credit union,
otters, she would have. She enjoyed travel
the Feminist Federal Credit Union, and
and had an adventurous spirit. She rafted
worked to change the Fair Housing Act to
down the Colorado River, sailed along
stop discrimination against women and
the Eastern seaboard in a racing schoo-
mothers.
ner, went fly fishing in Argentina, saved
Mrs. Ravitz organized a fundraiser
leatherback sea turtles in St. Croix and

rode horseback on the beaches of the
Dominican Republic.
Mrs. Ravitz was a cultured intellectual
who appreciated the finer things in life.
But she was also a fan of the irreverent
animated sitcom South Park and was a
sucker for foods like Drake’s Devil Dogs
and White Castle hamburgers. She had a
gift for music: singing and harmonizing
up until a week before she died. She once
won an Alan Freed Rock ’n’ Roll Dance
Party contest. She was a masterful pianist
who couldn’t read music but played by ear.
When she was of college age, she played in
jazz clubs in New York.
Mrs. Ravitz is survived by her lov-
ing husband, Dr. Chuck Schmitter; her
son, Jason Ravitz (Melissa Dworkin)
and her daughter, Jessica Ravitz Cherof
(Rob), from her first marriage to the late
Justin “Chuck” Ravitz; her daughter, Dr.
Elizabeth Eaman (Karin Riggs), from her
second marriage to Frank Eaman; her
granddaughters, Amelia and Zoe Ravitz-
Dworkin; her sister, Marilyn Gallant
(Mel); her stepsons, Paul Schmitter
(Anita), Dr. Steve Schmitter (Dr. Margaret
Lee), Patrick Schmitter (Diana); seven
stepgrandchildren; sister-in-law, Ruth
Schmitter; brother-in-law, Fr. Phil
Schmitter; a niece, a nephew, cousins and
countless friends who adored her.
Mrs. Ravitz was preceded in death by
her parents, Minnia and Bill Biener.
Her children request that you support
her dream of seeing a woman president
by electing Hillary Clinton. Contributions
may be made to the National Organization
for Women, the Fox Run Benevolent
Care Fund or the animal rescue group of
one’s choice. Arrangements by Dorfman
Chapel.

JARED SCOTT
FELDMAN, 31,
died Oct. 4, 2016.
He is survived
by his loving par-
ents, Erwin and
Donna Feldman
of Bloomfield
Feldman
Hills; brothers
and sister-in-
law, Matthew
Feldman, Bradley Feldman, Brian
Feldman, Paul and Venus Feldman;
sisters and brother-in-law, Lauren
Feldman, Sally Feldman, Pamela
and Michael Ryan; nieces and
nephews, Taylor, Jaycob, Ella,
Sophia, Jack and Sarah.
A gathering to celebrate Jared’s
life will be held on Friday, Oct. 21,
at 6:30 p.m. at Prime 29 in West
Bloomfield. Contributions may be
made to a charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel.

BERNICE GILL,
89, of Southfield,
died Oct. 8, 2016.
She is survived
by her beloved
husband, Jackie
Gill; son, Stan
Gill; daughters
Gill
and sons-in-law,
Sharon and Ron
Herman, Sandee
and Howard Penn; grandchildren,
Matt (Lori) Herman, Amy (Kurtis
Hessler) Herman; great-grand-
children, Dylan, Alice, Jamie.
Contributions may be made
to the Susan G. Komen Race for
the Cure. Interment took place at
Machpelah Cemetery in Ferndale.
Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel.

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