MYRTLE WALTERS SCHUSTER (Posthumous)
Class of 1925
Educator/Volunteerism
Myrtle graduated as valedictorian of the class of 1925 and went on to attend Hillsdale College. While at Hillsdale College, Myrtle earned a State College Fellowship to the University of Michigan. She received a Masters degree from the University of Michigan in August of 1930.
Following graduation, Myrtle accepted the position of Statistician in the Accounting Office of the Tn-County Telephone Company in South Haven, MI. In September 1932, she joined the staff of Royal Oak High School where she taught mathematics. Myrtle lost her job in 1934 when she married Stephen Schuster. At that time, married women were not allowed to teach.
While the children were growing up, Myrtle directed her abilities to volunteer work. From 1934 through 1985, she was very active in the Congregational Church of Benton Harbor, MI, serving as president 4 years, secretary 8 years, and treasurer 10 years. She taught Junior High Girls Sunday school class 13 years, choir mother for boys 4 years, and for girls 2 years. Myrtle was Assistant Director of the church camp for 8 summers, a member of Women's Fellowship, and the Hinckly Guild. Myrtle was also involved in many school activities. She took the school census for Fairplane Junior High for 4 years, chaperoned field trips as a band and orchestra parent, and was a charter member and first secretary of the Benton Harbor P.T.A.
To help with their children's college expenses, Myrtle returned to work in 1955. In June 1956, she accepted a position with Whirlpool Corporation where she assisted in developing and compiling a manual and handouts to be used for Dealer Development Training in the Whirlpool Education Center in Benton Harbor. The center provided management education to 14,000 dealers and wholesalers nationally. Today, the Whirlpool Education Center is located in Covert Township.
Myrtle retired from Whirlpool Corporation in 1968. However, she volunteered her skills to help disabled and emotionally disturbed children and to serve as Secretary for Muscular Dystrophy. Myrtle and Stephen Schuster were the parents of two children. She passed away on January 16, 1999, at the age of 90. Myrtle knew the power of women for success against the odds.