A Legacy of Liberty: Ethelmae Craig Humphreys

A Legacy of Liberty:
Ethelmae Craig Humphreys

Top to bottom: Isabel Paterson, Rose Wilder Lane, Ayn Rand, Ethelmae Craig Humphreys.

In 1943, in the depths of World War II and the Holocaust, when the most powerful government in American history was allied with one totalitarian power to defeat another, three remarkable women published books that could be said to have resurrected the classical liberal idea and given birth to the modern libertarian movement.

Rose Wilder Lane, the daughter of Laura Ingalls Wilder, who had written Little House on the Prairie and other stories of American rugged individualism, published a passionate historical essay called The Discovery of Freedom. Isabel Paterson, a novelist and literary critic, produced The God of the Machine, which defended individualism as the source of progress in the world. And the most famous, Ayn Rand, published The Fountainhead. Stephen Cox, Paterson’s biographer, writes that “women were more important to the creation of the libertarian movement than they were to the creation of any political movement not strictly focused on women’s rights.… People who were used to doing for themselves might have a larger conception than other people of the things that individuals can and ought to do for themselves.”

Paterson, Lane, and Rand were original thinkers. But each also made a mark as a great popularizer of our ideas. During her life, Ethelmae Craig Humphreys created a contemporary legacy for liberty that places her among these giants of the libertarian movement.

In a statement on the passing of his mother, David Humphreys, Cato director and TAMKO chairman and CEO, said, “Throughout her life and career, my mother showed by example that family was the most important thing to her and that family values were foundational to the culture she helped to build at TAMKO. She was universally loved and revered by her family and employees and in the communities and circles of influence where she lived and worked. She was a measure of true grace, and her compassion for others was unmatched. We mourn for our loss, but we remain forever grateful for her presence in our lives and the lives of all those that she touched.”

The Cato Institute honors these four women who contributed so much to our vision and mission.

Leaving a legacy for liberty is a powerful and benevolent act. Please contact Brian Mullis at 202‑789‑5263 or bmullis@cato.org to discuss your plans.

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Leading by Example

All of Ethelmae’s friends in the Cato community take comfort in remembering her long and well-lived life. So many Cato Sponsors have honored their relationships with Ethelmae with contributions in her memory. Bud King is among these Sponsors, but his relationship with her and Cato is unique for its duration and depth.

“Ethelmae Humphreys possessed an inherent warmth and kindness. She was steadfast in her loyalty to family, friends, and organizations, yet allegiance was never above her commitment to excellence,” Bud says.

After a misunderstanding with her husband, Jay, Ethelmae scheduled an introductory meeting with Bud under the mistaken assumption that Jay had referred him. “I was in my 20s when I arrived at the TAMKO office and well on my way in the formation of a value system on matters of liberty and the proper scope of government,” Bud explains.

When he saw a stack of Foundation for Economic Education (FEE) pamphlets on the TAMKO reception desk prior to their meeting, Bud enthusiastically began reading one. Ethelmae noticed his interest in liberty and later remarked that she thought Bud might be a good contact for her son, David. “A misunderstanding with her spouse, an interest in FEE, and the coincidence of being close in age to her son became the foundation of one of the most important relationships of my life,” Bud says.

“Ethelmae’s unshakeable confidence in her principles was built around her clear understanding of our obligation to freedom for ourselves and for others. She set an example for all of us. I think back fondly of conversations with Ethelmae that over the years grew to include not just family and love but the important Cato principles of individual liberty, limited government, free enterprise, and peace,” Bud remembers. “No words can overstate her impact on me. I will always love her.”

Many Cato Sponsors came to partner in the Institute’s mission following an introduction by a friend or family member. Bud’s participation in our community is another example of the influence Ethelmae had in growing the ranks for liberty.

“Ethelmae greatly respected Cato. She invited me to an event in the late ’80s in St. Louis, my first introduction to our wonderful Institute. She taught me that while freedom and a proper scope of government were inextricably intertwined, it was not economics that dominated but morality,” Bud reflects. “It is our moral duty to guarantee freedom and, while this conferred economic benefit to all of society, those at the base of society benefitted most as their lives are lifted from poverty.

Rose Wilder Lane Hall at the Cato Institute — Ethelmae Craig Humphreys made the donation for Rose Wilder Lane Hall to the Cato Institute.

“Ethelmae taught me that freedom and slavery exist on a continuum,” Bud recalls. “Any movement away from freedom is a movement toward slavery. It cannot be excused nor offered an exception. Its profound and immoral implications are evident as we observe the manipulation of law and expansion of state intervention, both older than Cicero.”

When asked to reflect on his own annual membership in Cato’s Trenchard and Gordon Society and the gift plan he created as a Legacy Society Sponsor, Bud says:

My admiration for Cato is an admiration of excellence. We are not beholden to political nor corporate interests. Cato scholars help us understand the nature of current policies, popular thought, and how it all relates to political actors’ claims of the public interest that often conceal self-serving ambition and intent. Cato is a source of unbiased information, which allows us to gain a balanced understanding of complex matters outside the scope of our normal expertise while we navigate the responsibilities of our business and personal lives.

Over the past few years, Cato has pursued a strategic vision that builds upon the Institute’s unrivaled reputation for principled advocacy, independence, and integrity—as well as its outstanding capabilities to deliver ideas, influence, and impact. We are proud to work with Cato’s Sponsors—including Ethelmae’s family and friends—as the Institute achieves our vision of a better world.