June Kjome turns 100!

December 15, 2020

By Jamie Schloegel, Chief Executive Officer

Local activist celebrates 100th birthday

June Kjome turned 100 years old December 12, 2020. And a good majority of that century has been dedicated to activism and social justice work. June is much admired in the La Crosse area, and many local leaders and activists claim her as their mentor.

June spent 17 years of her early adulthood working as a nurse missionary in Zululand during apartheid, then returned in 1964 and worked as a nurse here. Among many other volunteer efforts, June Kjome helped to lead La Crosse Community Foundation through her service on the board of directors from 1994-2003.

Though she’s been legally blind for years, June remains a relentless advocate for the oppressed and encourages others to use their voice to stand up for what they believe.

June Kjome Justice and Peace Fund

In 2013, friends established the June Kjome Justice and Peace Fund to support educational efforts that encourage community members to be informed about, and active in, issues of justice and peace at the local, national and international levels.

“I love the name of the fund being out there, and that we get to help so many wonderful projects in the community. Although June has lost  her sight, she’s never lost her vision for social justice,” said Susan Schmidt, dear friend of June, and establishing donor of the June Kjome Justice and Peace Fund.

Mother Theresa and Mother Jones in one

Her life is truly an inspiration, and she has inspired countless others to join her mission to advance social justice and peace. In the recent La Crosse Tribune article below, Rep. Jill Billings describes her well, “June Kjome is La Crosse’s perfect combination of a Mother Theresa and Mother Jones. June has the love, compassion and acceptance of Mother Theresa, and the voice, determination, and social justice commitment of Mother Jones. She is an incredible asset to our community and her legacy continues in the June Kjome Justice and Peace Fund through the La Crosse Community Foundation.”

Celebrate June with a gift to support justice and peace here, forever

Please join us in celebrating her birthday by considering a gift to her fund. You can click here to donate, and write “June Kjome” in the designation box on the donate form. To read more about June and her incredible work for good, please click here to read the full La Crosse Tribune story.

You could also check out her biography, Justice: Not Just Us, June Kjome: the making of an old lady activist, by Susan T. Hessel and Gayda Hollnagel.