Dr. Bettie Kay Mcgowan

Dr. Bettie Kay Givens McGowan of Grosse Ile (b. 11/16/42 Ripley, Miss), an anthropologist and lifelong advocate for human rights, walked on October 4, 2022. Born—with her twin Sara Fay Givens—to Francis Jewell Lockhart and Herman H. Givens. The family, including the twins’ older sister Mary Murphy, moved north to Detroit in her childhood.

Early in her career she worked as a lobbyist for the poor, as a founding member of the Michigan Citizens Lobby, which successfully repealed the sales tax on food & medicine in MI, established the Friend of the Court Reform Act, and other pivotal initiatives. She co-founded First Step (1981), an organization dedicated to ending domestic violence, served on the board of the National Indian Youth Council, and tirelessly advocated for the underrepresented. Kay earned her doctorate at WSU and taught for two decades at EMU, among other places, all the while raising her five children: Thomas Campbell (Ronda), Patrick Campbell (Dawn), Katie McGowan (Goran), Dan McGowan (Anne), and Michael McGowan (Andrea).

She served as a delegate to the landmark United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995. Later she represented the interests of indigenous peoples at the United Nations and was a member of the Working Group on the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, where she testified on water, as a human right.

She enjoyed traveling, art, sewing, powwows, and spending time with her twin, fellow activist and longtime director of American Indian Services, with whom she produced the documentary film "Indian School: A Survivor's Story." She received myriad awards including being inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame (2009). She was predeceased by her parents and granddaughter, Aoife McGowan. She is survived by her sisters, nieces and nephews, her children, as well as her beloved grandchildren: Steve, Leo, Mary, Owen, Liam, Nika, and Bruce. Kay’s life was defined by her generosity, kindness, and her care for others.

Visitation will take place on Sunday October 9th, 2022 from 12:00pm- 5:00pm and Monday October 10th, 2022 from 2:00pm until Remembrance 4:00pm, at the Ridge Chapel- Martenson Family of Funeral Homes, 2272 W. Jefferson, Trenton, MI 48183.

To protect our elders and the immunocompromised the McGowan family is requesting all guests to please wear masks. Thank you for your understanding

Click on tribute wall above to view Dr. Bettie's memorial video.