Elizabeth Allen Bailey

Elizabeth Allen Bailey went to peace from complications related to a long term pulmonary condition. Always gentle, cheerful and caring, Liz gave freely of her time to make life and work better for others. She devoted much of her time to mentoring others, and was much beloved by a wide circle of friends.

Liz came to Washington as Director of Wisconsin Governor Tony Earl's State-Federal Relations Office; served the National Guard Memorial Museum as the first Director of Historical Services & Development; was appointed by President Bill Clinton to serve in the Pentagon as Special Assistant to an Assistant Secretary; and, in his 2nd term, as Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for White House Liaison.

Liz's passion for advancing economic and social justice led her to strong advocacy for the enduring benefits of member-owned cooperatives, with their principles of member-driven governance with grassroots building of locally-owned enterprises which, in turn, support other co-ops in the community of co-ops. After several years in leadership at the National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International, she formed The Bailey Group to bring action to that vision. She also served on non-profit boards, including the Center for Workforce Inclusion, a national group dedicated to workforce development for adults 50 and over.

She earned a BA in journalism from the UW-Madison and a Master's Degree in Public Policy from the LBJ School of Public Affairs, Austin, Texas. Liz also enjoyed tennis, downhill skiing, music, gardening, interior decorating, cooking and entertaining friends.

Born in Chippewa Falls, WI, Liz is survived by her husband, Jim Bailey, Arlington, VA, and her brother, Loyall C. Allen (Pamela) of Gardner, MA, and numerous beloved nieces and cousins in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and Virginia. Inurnment will be in September in a family plot in Pepin, WI, along the Mississippi River. Celebrations honoring Liz will be held in Madison, WI, and Washington, DC.

Liz and her family suggest that any memorials be made to The Cooperative Development Foundation; Cooperation Works; Center for Workforce Inclusion, to the benefit of CWI Labs; or The Federation of Southern Cooperatives Land Assistance Fund.