Meta Berger

Meta Berger (née Schlichting; February 23, 1873 – June 16, 1944) was a prominent female socialist organizer in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and advocate for improved public schooling systems.

As a school board member, she supported progressive measures such as the construction of playgrounds, "penny lunches" and medical exams for children.

She also advocated on behalf of teachers, working for tenure, a fixed-salary schedule and a pension system.

In 1917, Berger joined the Milwaukee Emergency Peace Committee, a group that tried to prevent U.S. Navy recruiters from targeting schoolchildren.

After her husband's death in 1929, Berger remained on the school board until 1939, and was considered a potential candidate for vice-president in the Socialist Party in 1932.

Meta Berger as she appeared in 1911, at the time of her husband's election to the United States Congress.
Meta Berger 1909