Crim
only part of Lois Craig's Story
Many know Lois M. Craig for her leading role in taking her boss' idea to create a fund-raiser for Special Olympics and turning it into a 10-mile road race that attracted community support as well as runners. After that first race, she was sure she would never do another race. Instead, she continued working on the race, first while working for Bobby Crim in state government, then for the non-profit organization that was created to ensure the race endured and grew.
Craig is known by many as the heart and soul of the Crim Race. Many still fondly recall the meetings around her kitchen table as they learned the ins and outs of creating a road race and then turning it into a community event.
It wasn't unusual for that kitchen group to start each of the early years with an empty bank account as the race proceeds were given to Special Olympics.
Craig also learned how to deal with much more - thousands of volunteers, many more cups, and elite runners. Some of those runners became close friends over the years.
But Craig did much more in the community, often behind the scenes.
In 2001, she was honored with the prestigious Nina Mills Award, the YWCA's Women of Achievement. As part of that honor, the Flint Public Library created profiles on the three winners. Here are some reflections from Craig's profile and The Journal's archives.
Lois cannot recall a time in her life when she ~ was not interested in and involved with issues of 'social justice' and the equality of women.
She attributes much of this to the influence of her two incredible immigrant grandmothers and her father.
"He believed that a woman's capability was as large as her imagination."
In addition to her family's influence, Lois feels she is an extremely blessed woman because of the numerous mentors and lifetime friends she has had along the way.
"In reality, this (Nina Mills ) Award belongs to the many volunteers and leaders who I have been privileged to work with throughout my life. They have been my yard stick for life measurement."
Lois has lived in the Flint area most of her life. She earned a degree in history and anthropology at the University of Michigan-Flint and at an early age began a career involving politics and community endeavors.
She was married for 26 years to Bob Craig, who was a tough union and party organizer and civil rights leader whom she credits as one of her great "teachers".
Lois' all time heroes are Eleanor Roosevelt and Bobby D. Crim.
Lois served as Crim's campaign manager during his run for Michigan House of Representatives in 1963. That same year, Lois received the Eleanor Roosevelt Award for 'outstanding organization' for the Democratic Party.
In 1964, Lois accepted the position of Executive Director for the Genesee County Democratic Party.
In 1973, she stepped into a new field as bridal consultant and buyer for Fair Department Stores.
She returned to politics, working in research for the Michigan House of Representatives, before accepting in 1976 the position as administrative assistant to Crim, Speaker of the House of Representatives.
She maintained several overlapping positions during that time including, from 1977-1993, race director for what became the Crim Festival of Races.
In 2001, when she received the YWCA's Nina Mills Award, she was serving as consultant to the Area XIII Special Olympics through her company, Lois Craig Consulting, Inc.
Also, in 2001 Craig's name was attached to a Crim event. The Friday night Special Olympics race was renamed the Lois Craig Invitational for Special Olympics.
"I was dumbfounded when they told me," Craig told Flint Journal reporter Bill Khan in August 2001. "I couldn't believe it. That's very, very nice."
"I think it's a great honor and one she certainly deserves," Crim executive director Sherlynn Everly told Khan in 2001.
Craig remained part of the Crim behind the scenes as a volunteer and worked closely in with Michigan Special Olympics, the charity for which the Crim was created.
"As soon as I resigned from the Crim, I immediately started working out there, trying to continue raising dollars for Special Olympics," Craig said. "I think I went out there the first morning.
"In reality, that's what the whole thing was about from the very beginning. That was the reason Bobby wanted to do something, so he could raise some dollars for the program."
Lois has sat on several boards and has received numerous awards. She was presented with the Key to the City of Flint in 1989 and that same year, the Mayor designated 'Lois Craig Day' for the City of Flint.
She is the mother of three sons, Scott, Chris and Mark.
She remains in awe of the achievements of the Crim Festival of Races. She feels it is a road race, which brought out the true story of a town called Flint and its community of Genesee County. The Crim has given her the opportunity to work and enjoy the best.
Many know Lois M. Craig for her leading role in taking her boss' idea to create a fund-raiser for Special Olympics and turning it into a 10-mile road race that attracted community support as well as runners. After that first race, she was sure she would never do another race. Instead, she continued working on the race, first while working for Bobby Crim in state government, then for the non-profit organization that was created to ensure the race endured and grew.
Craig is known by many as the heart and soul of the Crim Race. Many still fondly recall the meetings around her kitchen table as they learned the ins and outs of creating a road race and then turning it into a community event.
It wasn't unusual for that kitchen group to start each of the early years with an empty bank account as the race proceeds were given to Special Olympics.
Craig also learned how to deal with much more - thousands of volunteers, many more cups, and elite runners. Some of those runners became close friends over the years.
But Craig did much more in the community, often behind the scenes.
In 2001, she was honored with the prestigious Nina Mills Award, the YWCA's Women of Achievement. As part of that honor, the Flint Public Library created profiles on the three winners. Here are some reflections from Craig's profile and The Journal's archives.
Lois cannot recall a time in her life when she ~ was not interested in and involved with issues of 'social justice' and the equality of women.
She attributes much of this to the influence of her two incredible immigrant grandmothers and her father.
"He believed that a woman's capability was as large as her imagination."
In addition to her family's influence, Lois feels she is an extremely blessed woman because of the numerous mentors and lifetime friends she has had along the way.
"In reality, this (Nina Mills ) Award belongs to the many volunteers and leaders who I have been privileged to work with throughout my life. They have been my yard stick for life measurement."
Lois has lived in the Flint area most of her life. She earned a degree in history and anthropology at the University of Michigan-Flint and at an early age began a career involving politics and community endeavors.
She was married for 26 years to Bob Craig, who was a tough union and party organizer and civil rights leader whom she credits as one of her great "teachers".
Lois' all time heroes are Eleanor Roosevelt and Bobby D. Crim.
Lois served as Crim's campaign manager during his run for Michigan House of Representatives in 1963. That same year, Lois received the Eleanor Roosevelt Award for 'outstanding organization' for the Democratic Party.
In 1964, Lois accepted the position of Executive Director for the Genesee County Democratic Party.
In 1973, she stepped into a new field as bridal consultant and buyer for Fair Department Stores.
She returned to politics, working in research for the Michigan House of Representatives, before accepting in 1976 the position as administrative assistant to Crim, Speaker of the House of Representatives.
She maintained several overlapping positions during that time including, from 1977-1993, race director for what became the Crim Festival of Races.
In 2001, when she received the YWCA's Nina Mills Award, she was serving as consultant to the Area XIII Special Olympics through her company, Lois Craig Consulting, Inc.
Also, in 2001 Craig's name was attached to a Crim event. The Friday night Special Olympics race was renamed the Lois Craig Invitational for Special Olympics.
"I was dumbfounded when they told me," Craig told Flint Journal reporter Bill Khan in August 2001. "I couldn't believe it. That's very, very nice."
"I think it's a great honor and one she certainly deserves," Crim executive director Sherlynn Everly told Khan in 2001.
Craig remained part of the Crim behind the scenes as a volunteer and worked closely in with Michigan Special Olympics, the charity for which the Crim was created.
"As soon as I resigned from the Crim, I immediately started working out there, trying to continue raising dollars for Special Olympics," Craig said. "I think I went out there the first morning.
"In reality, that's what the whole thing was about from the very beginning. That was the reason Bobby wanted to do something, so he could raise some dollars for the program."
Lois has sat on several boards and has received numerous awards. She was presented with the Key to the City of Flint in 1989 and that same year, the Mayor designated 'Lois Craig Day' for the City of Flint.
She is the mother of three sons, Scott, Chris and Mark.
She remains in awe of the achievements of the Crim Festival of Races. She feels it is a road race, which brought out the true story of a town called Flint and its community of Genesee County. The Crim has given her the opportunity to work and enjoy the best.
"He (my father) believed that a woman's capability was as large as her imagination."
