ELCA NEWS SERVICE
March 17, 2006
Former Executive Director, Women of the ELCA, Charlotte Fiechter Dies
06-041-FI
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Dr. Charlotte E. Fiechter, second
executive director for Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America (ELCA), died March 10 of natural causes at her home in
Mount Prospect, Ill. She was 71.
"Charlotte E. Fiechter was, above all, a woman of faith who
seized every opportunity, whether in service to her church or the
world, to be an effective steward of her substantial God-given
gifts. Her grace, steadfast faith, intelligence and vision for
the empowerment of others will have a lasting impact on countless
lives throughout the world," said her nephew, the Rev. Stephen M.
Fiechter, Christ Lutheran Church, Orange, Calif.
Fiechter led the women's organization of the ELCA from Jan.
1, 1990, to July 31, 1996. Betty Lee Nyhus, the first executive
director for Women of the ELCA, died in November 2003. The Rev.
Catherine I.H. Braasch, Hope Lutheran Church, Smithfield, Neb.,
succeeded Fiechter as executive director. Linda Post Bushkofsky
is the fourth and current executive director for Women of the
ELCA.
"With a love for this church and especially the women of the
church, Charlotte Fiechter helped Women of the ELCA, then a
fledgling organization, establish many important procedures and
practices. She was instrumental in developing planned giving
opportunities and led the organization's work against domestic
violence," Bushkofsky said.
"Mentoring others and providing educational opportunities
were very important to Charlotte, and under her guidance the
Herbert W. and Corinne Chilstrom Scholarship was established,
providing assistance to Lutheran women during their final year at
an ELCA seminary," she said.
Bushkofsky recalled Fiechter's words: "Through all of our
history as a church and an organization, women have planned and
dreamed and made splendid things happen. One of the wonderful
things about working for this organization is that we never know
whose lives our planning and work might touch, and the dividends
of love and appreciation come back in so many ways."
Born Oct. 16, 1934, in New Jersey, Fiechter graduated from
Wellesley College, Wellesley, Mass. She earned a master's degree
from the University of Chicago and a doctorate from Harvard
University, Cambridge, Mass. Her advanced degrees were in
history. She studied one year at Eberhard Karls Universitaet,
Tuebingen, Germany, on a Fulbright Fellowship.
Fiechter taught history at Wittenberg University,
Springfield, Ohio; Wellesley College; and the University of
Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Wittenberg is one of 28 colleges and
universities of the ELCA. In the University of Pennsylvania
College for Women, Fiechter served as assistant dean and as
director for the continuing education program. She also served
as vice dean for the university's Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
Prior to her work for Women of the ELCA, Fiechter was
principal and director, St. Thomas Christian Academy, Brick, N.J.
She also served as a chief consultant, designing women's
leadership training programs for Higher Education Resources
Services/Mid-America located at the University of Denver.
At the time of her resignation from Women of the ELCA,
Fiechter told the ELCA News Service, "I have worked to bring
meaning to the organization's emphasis on women and children in
poverty through the development of programs and resources." She
said, "I have worked to expand leadership development
opportunities for women throughout the church. The program was
re-conceptualized and re-cast under my leadership so that all
women in the organization have access to training."
Fiechter stressed her efforts to prepare women in ELCA
colleges and seminaries for leadership positions, to strengthen
links with ordained women and seminary faculty and "to put the
issue of violence against women squarely on the agenda of Women
of the ELCA."
After serving Women of the ELCA, Fiechter worked with
Executive Service Corps of Chicago, consulting with business
executives around the globe, inspiring and empowering others to
succeed in leadership roles. She also offered coursework at area
colleges.
Fiechter was a member of Norwood Park Lutheran Church,
Chicago. Memorial arrangements are pending. Interment will be
in New Jersey.
Fiechter was preceded in death by her father and mother,
Karl and Matilda Fiechter, and by her brother Paul Fiechter. She
is survived by her sister Trude McLaughlin of North Carolina, her
sister-in-law Annemarie Fiechter of New Jersey, many cousins in
New Jersey and Germany, and six nieces and nephews.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
