Men and Women Against Rape founder dead

By Susan Zuckert, Forty-Niner Online
Sept. 14, 1995

A Cal State Long Beach student and co-founder and president of the campus organization Men and Women Against Rape, died Saturday of an apparent reaction to various medications she was taking.

Rosemary Schmidt, assistant vice president of Student Services, said Michelle Harjo had several serious medical conditions and was believed to have chronic fatigue syndrome. Harjo had begun taking a new medication a few days prior to her death, Schmidt said.

An autopsy has reportedly been completed and Harjo's family is awaiting the final results.

Laurie Morgan, assistant director of the Women's Resource Center, attended a meeting with both Schmidt and Harjo last Friday, and said that Harjo had been feeling better than usual, despite suffering from several serious medical conditions.

"She thought she might have chronic fatigue syndrome, she was talking about how she was feeling better," Morgan said. "This has been going on for about six months."

Morgan also described Harjo as the driving force of Men and Women Against Rape, and as an advocate for women and women's issues in general. "Even in our meeting she was trying to get the message across about mutual respect," Morgan said.

Harjo was active on campus with issues involving sexual harassment and assault. Her involvement and dedication to Men and Women Against Rape was initiated by personal experience with acquaintance rape, said Patricia Rozee, the faculty advisor for the organization.

Rozee said Harjo is held in high regard by her colleagues and instructors for using this experience to help others understand the complexities behind sexual harassment and assault.

The last workshop Harjo headed on campus was attended by more than 300 people. Her activism was also recognized by the school when she was given an award at 1194's Women's Banquet, an event attended by students, faculty, staff and community members.

Funeral services for Harjo will be held Saturday at Los Altos Grace Brethren Church, 5665 Stearns St., Long Beach. The family encourages students and friends to speak or submit letters to be read at her service.

Tax-deductible donations are being accepted via the CSULB Foundation to pay for funeral expenses, with exceeding funds to benefit Men and Women Against Rape.

For more information, call (310) 985-5466.