MILDRED ROBBINS LEET

LEET--Mildred Robbins, co-founder of Trickle Up and an activist who devoted her life to improving the lives of people all over the world, passed away on May 3. 
Mrs. Leet is best known as the co-founder of Trickle Up, a global nonprofit that empowers some of the world's poorest and most vulnerable people. Trickle Up's chief executive for over 20 years and board chair until 2006, she continued as Board Chair Emerita until her death. A born entrepreneur, she dedicated her enormous energy and unwavering optimism to a wide range of organizations that she helped found or lead, including the U.S. Committee for the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), United Cerebral Palsy, Metropolitan College of New York, and InterAction. Active in Democratic politics and civil rights, she was proud to have stood on the speaker's platform for Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" speech. Among many honors, Mrs. Leet received, along with Mother Theresa and Wangari Maathai, the Women of the World Award in 1989, presented by Princess Diana. Mrs. Leet was married to Louis J. Robbins from 1940 until his death in 1970 and to Glen Leet from 1974 until his death in 1998. She is survived by her daughters Jane Marla Robbins and Aileen Robbins; granddaughter Ariel Fantasia and a great-granddaughter, Sage Price Fantasia. A memorial will be held on Friday, May 6, at 11:45 am at Riverside Memorial Chapel, 76th St. and Amsterdam Avenue. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trickle Up (www.trickleup.org) and Metropolitan College of New York (www.mcny.edu). Memories and condolences can be posted at www.mildredrobbinsleet.org