Harry L. Billings was born on January 30, 1913.[1] in Somerton, Montana[2] to Ray Billings and Edna Hannaway.[1] He graduated from Thompson Falls High School and attended the University of Montana in Missoula, where he earned a degree in journalism in 1933.
Journalism careeredit
In 1946, Harry joined the staff of The People's Voice, an independent, politically progressive newspaper in Helena, Montana[3] His wife Gretchen joined him two years later. In 1948, Harry became the managing editor for the paper in conjunction with Gretchen. They held this position for twenty years until their coworker Bennett Hansen took over the work in 1968.[4] Harry resigned from the paper following “a lengthy dispute with organized labor over support of the Vietnam War”.[2]
Work in social activismedit
Following his work with The People's Voice, Harry spent two and a half years as the director of Education and Research for the Montana State American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO). Throughout his life, he advocated for the cause of progressivism and for other left-leaning organizations.
Personal lifeedit
On October 11, 1933, Harry Leroy Billings married Gretchen Garber.[5] Gretchen Garber grew up in Whitefish, and her grandparents “homesteaded the Plains area in the mid-1880s”.[2] Gretchen worked with Harry on the newspaper. The couple had three children together: John, Leon, and Mike.[6]
Awards and recognitionedit
Harry L. Billings won the Montana Newspaper Hall of Fame award in 1997, and Gretchen Garber Billings won the award in 2007.[7] In 1983, Harry won the University of Montana Distinguished Alumnus Award.[8] Harry was also a member of the Montanan Bicentennial advisory council in the mid-1970s.[2]
Later yearsedit
The Billingses retired to their home in Thompson Falls in the 1980s and moved to Apache Junction in Arizona after Harry began suffering from respiratory problems. Harry died on April 23, 1990. Currently, Harry and Gretchen's papers are held by Archives and Special Collections at Montana State University.[2]
Referencesedit
^ abMontana, County Births and Deaths, 1830-2011. Montana State Historical Society, Helena, Montana.
^ abcdeScott, Kim Allen. “Historical Note.” Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Papers, 1940-1984. Montana State University, Special Collections and Archival Informatics, 2013.
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Papers at Montana State University
December 01, 2023
harry, billings, 1913, 1990, journalist, civil, rights, advocate, owned, operated, newspaper, called, people, voice, montana, bornharry, leroy, billingsjanuary, 1913, 1913, somerton, montanadiedapril, 1990, 1990, apache, junction, arizonacitizenshipunited, sta. Harry L Billings 1913 1990 was a journalist and civil rights advocate who co owned and operated a newspaper called The People s Voice in Montana Harry L BillingsBornHarry Leroy BillingsJanuary 30 1913 1913 01 30 Somerton MontanaDiedApril 23 1990 1990 04 24 Apache Junction ArizonaCitizenshipUnited StatesAlma materUniversity of Montana bachelor s degree in journalism 1933 OccupationJournalistEmployer s The People s Voice American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial OrganizationsKnown forEditor of The People s Voice progressive advocacy Contents 1 Early life 2 Journalism career 3 Work in social activism 4 Personal life 5 Awards and recognition 6 Later years 7 References 8 External linksEarly life editHarry L Billings was born on January 30 1913 1 in Somerton Montana 2 to Ray Billings and Edna Hannaway 1 He graduated from Thompson Falls High School and attended the University of Montana in Missoula where he earned a degree in journalism in 1933 Journalism career editIn 1946 Harry joined the staff of The People s Voice an independent politically progressive newspaper in Helena Montana 3 His wife Gretchen joined him two years later In 1948 Harry became the managing editor for the paper in conjunction with Gretchen They held this position for twenty years until their coworker Bennett Hansen took over the work in 1968 4 Harry resigned from the paper following a lengthy dispute with organized labor over support of the Vietnam War 2 Work in social activism editFollowing his work with The People s Voice Harry spent two and a half years as the director of Education and Research for the Montana State American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations AFL CIO Throughout his life he advocated for the cause of progressivism and for other left leaning organizations Personal life editOn October 11 1933 Harry Leroy Billings married Gretchen Garber 5 Gretchen Garber grew up in Whitefish and her grandparents homesteaded the Plains area in the mid 1880s 2 Gretchen worked with Harry on the newspaper The couple had three children together John Leon and Mike 6 Awards and recognition editHarry L Billings won the Montana Newspaper Hall of Fame award in 1997 and Gretchen Garber Billings won the award in 2007 7 In 1983 Harry won the University of Montana Distinguished Alumnus Award 8 Harry was also a member of the Montanan Bicentennial advisory council in the mid 1970s 2 Later years editThe Billingses retired to their home in Thompson Falls in the 1980s and moved to Apache Junction in Arizona after Harry began suffering from respiratory problems Harry died on April 23 1990 Currently Harry and Gretchen s papers are held by Archives and Special Collections at Montana State University 2 References edit a b Montana County Births and Deaths 1830 2011 Montana State Historical Society Helena Montana a b c d e Scott Kim Allen Historical Note Harry L and Gretchen Billings Papers 1940 1984 Montana State University Special Collections and Archival Informatics 2013 Women s History Matters The People s Voice Women s History Matters February 11 2014 Accessed July 25 2020 http montanawomenshistory org tag the peoples voice National Endowment for the Humanities The People s Voice volume Chronicling America Accessed July 25 2020 https chroniclingamerica loc gov lccn sn86075189 Ancestry com Montana County Marriages 1865 1987 database on line Lehi UT USA Ancestry com Operations Inc 2017 Jayme Fraser Progressive Montana Era Inspired Architect of Clean Air Clean Water Acts Missoulian com April 17 2016 Accessed July 25 2020 https missoulian com news state and regional progressive montana era inspired architect of clean air clean water acts article 2e04f311 303e 5fdb abf8 812d4f20237f html Montana Newspaper Association Montana Newspaper Hall of Fame Montana Newspaper Association 2013 Accessed July 25 2020 https www mtnewspapers com montana newspaper hall of fame Office of Alumni Relations Past Distinguished Alum Recipients Office of Alumni Relations University Of Montana Accessed July 25 2020 https grizalum org groups and programs recognition daa2 past daa winners php External links editHarry L and Gretchen Billings Papers at Montana State University Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Harry L Billings amp oldid 1108938683, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
