Happy 75th birthday, Linda Fuller: There’s an important note about women here

Linda Fuller might very well be one of the most important women leaders of the last 50 years. If you haven’t heard of her, that’s probably got a lot to do with the fact that she doesn’t seek attention for herself — only for issues about which she cares deeply.

One of those issues is simple, decent, affordable housing. You probably have heard of Habitat for Humanity and you should hear about The Fuller Center for Housing. But you wouldn’t have heard of either if it were not for Linda Fuller. They wouldn’t exist. And hundreds of thousands of families helped by their mission in life would never have gotten the helping hand-up into decent living conditions if it weren’t for Linda.

I’d explain it further, but my boss at The Fuller Center for Housing — President David Snell — does it better, so I decided to share his words here from his blog post today at FullerCenter.org.  (I spoke with The Fuller Center’s communications department — myself … yes, I’m the entire website, PR, social media, photography, video and publications department — and they agreed to allow me to post it here.

Pay special attention to the highlighted quote. It speaks volumes.

By David Snell, President, The Fuller Center for Housing

For the better part of her life, Linda Fuller has been at the vanguard of the affordable housing movement — in fact, she gets the credit for starting it!

When Millard’s ambition to be a millionaire got in the way of his family obligations, it was Linda who said “Stop!” If she hadn’t put her foot down, the dream that became Habitat for Humanity and The Fuller Center for Housing might never have been born.

Linda has noted that the phrase, “Behind every good man is a good woman,” is incorrect. It should read, “Beside every good man is a good woman.”

But it was. She and Millard gave away their wealth and listened to hear what God would have them do. He said, “Go and house the poor.” And, so, they did — first at Koinonia Farm, then in Mbandaka, Zaire, and then around the world with ministries that redefined volunteering and Christian charity.

Linda has noted that the phrase, “Behind every good man is a good woman,” is incorrect. It should read, “Beside every good man is a good woman.” And that is where Linda stood through Millard’s 40-year ministry. Since his death, she has continued to hold the banner high — raising funds, inspiring volunteers and reminding us all that the goal of No More Shacks has not yet been met.

It is fitting that Linda wanted to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee Year by raising money and building houses. She’s set a goal of raising $75,000 in new funds and will be rehabbing a house with as many friends as she can muster in Macon, Georgia, on March 19. For Linda, being the First Lady of Affordable Housing is more than a title — it’s a calling.

So, on behalf of all of us here at The Fuller Center and, more, on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of families who have a decent place to call home because you said, “Stop!” those many years ago, Happy Birthday, Linda!

If you would like to support Linda Fuller’s effort to raise $75,000 for her 75th birthday, click here.