Joy Mills
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ARTICLE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Joy Mills (1920-2015) was an educator who served as President of the theosophical Society in America from 1965–1974, and then as international Vice President for the Theosophical Society based in Adyar, Chennai, India from 1974-1980. She was a very popular international lecturer, and was awarded the Subba Row Medal in 2011 for her contributions to Theosophical literature.
Early life and education
Mary Joy Mills was born on October 9, 1920 in Lakewood, Ohio. She spent her childhood in Wisconsin, and attended Beloit High School, where she was secretary of the Latin Club.[1] In 1941 she was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education by the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. The following year, with the encouragement of TSA president Sidney A. Cook, she completed a Master of Arts in English Literature at the University of Chicago.
Joining Theosophical Society
As a 20-year-old, on August 15, 1940, Joy became a member of the Milwaukee Lodge after hearing a lecture by Clara Codd. She was very active in the Young Theosophists, along with her good friends Caroline Tess and Marcella Schmitt. All three of them joined the staff at the headquarters of the Theosophical Society in America. From 1942 to 1948, Joy taught correspondence courses and organized the Department of Information.
Teaching career
During the years 1948-1952, Miss Mills taught honors history at a high school in Seattle, Washington. In the summers she did post-graduate studies in American History at the University of Washington. She became a member of the Seattle Lodge, and shared housing with Vera Reichers and another TS friend. She enjoyed teaching very much.
Early Theosophical activities
While working in Seattle, Miss Mills became vice president of the Seattle Lodge and served on the board, while also lecturing throughout the Northwest and western Canada. She was president of the Northwest Federation and helped to organize the first West Coast Conference.
In 1955, she rejoined the headquarters staff as assistant editor at The American Theosophist and head of the Department of Education. She also directed workshop programs, lectured, revised the Lodge handbook, and acted as secretary to the National Radio Committee. She had an interest in photography. While living in the L. W. Rogers Building she worked with E. Norman Pearson to set up a darkroom in the bathroom adjoining Room 8 for developing their photos of TS events, places, and people..[2]
President of Theosophical Society in America
International Vice President
In 1974, the newly elected President of the international Theosophical Society, John B. S. Coats, asked his long-time colleague to join the new administration as Vice President. Miss Mills went to Adyar, and TSA Vice President Ann Wylie stepped into the Presidency for the remainder of the term from 1974 to 1975, beginning September 1. Mills wrote:
The Board of Directors had authorized me to go again to Adyar, for the General Council meetings under the new President, and Mrs. Wylie, as National Vice-President, was to accompany me since she was now an additional member of the Council. It was during that visit to Adyar, my fourth as head of the American Section, that Coats persuaded me to accept nomination as the International Vice-President. The matter was discussed with the Board of Directors upon my return to Olcott, the Directors concurring in my decision with the provision that I not submit my resignation as National President until after the July Convention in order that a special election to fill my unexpired term would not be necessary. Therefore, although confirmed as Vice-President of the world Society on May 1, 1974, I continued as National President of the Section until September 1, when, in accordance with the By-Laws, Mrs. Wylie assumed that office through the triennial elections of 1975 when Mrs. Dora Kuna was elected National President and Mrs. Wylie was returned to her office of National Vice-President.[3]
During the years in her international role, Miss Mills conducted many lecture tours. She worked closely with John Coats, and frequently served as his deputy during his travels. She was a member of the Executive, Finance, and Publishing Commmittees, and also established and directed the International Centre of Theosophical Studies. She served as Vice President until 1980, when Radha Burnier was elected President following the death of Mr. Coats.[4]
Lecturing
Miss Mills has always been a very popular lecturer, and has spoken in over 50 countries and all over the United States. Many of her more recent lectures are available on CD or DVD from Quest Books.
Later years
Joy Mills lived at the Krotona Institute for many years, often teaching courses at the Krotona School of Theosophy. She was frequently invited to lecture in many places.
On August 15, 2015 she and friends celebrated the 75th anniversary of the day she became a member, and on October 9th celebrated her 95th birthday. On December 29, 2015, Joy Mills passed away peacefully after a life of great accomplishment. A meditation was held for her that day at Olcott, and a memorial service was scheduled for January 24, 2016 at Krotona.
Writings
From her earliest days in the Society, Miss Mills frequently wrote for Theosophical periodicals and for the Education and Information Departments of the TSA. The Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals lists 655 articles by or about the name Joy Mills. Among these were her monthly "Perspective" column as editor of The American Theosophist for ten years; numerous articles in Discovery; and many contributions to The Theosophist
Two of her most significant books were 100 Years of Theosophy in America (1987), a history, and Reflections on an Ageless Wisdom: A Commentary on the Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett (2010). In addition, a compilation of articles selected by David Bruce and Tony Lysy, The One True Adventure: Theosophy and the Quest for Meaning was released in 2009. All were published by the Theosophical Publishing House in Wheaton, Illinois. For her many contributions to Theosophical literature, she was presented with the Subba Row Medal in 2011.
Other works include:
- An Approach to the Study of the Secret Doctrine. Wheaton, Illinois: Theosophical Publishing House, 195x. Pamphlet.
- Entering on the Sacred Way: A Psychological Commentary on Light on the Path. Wheaton, Illinois: Theosophical Publishing House, 2000. In this short book, she wrote about the essential work that must be done on our psychological natures in order to transform ourselves.
- From Inner to Outer Transformation: Lectures on The Voice of the Silence. Amsterdam: Uitgeverij der Theosofische Vereniging in Nederland, 1996. 94 pages.
- The Human Journey: Quest for Self-Transformation. Wheaton, Illinois: Theosophical Publishing House, 1978. 37 pages.
- The Key to Theosophy: an Abridgement. By H.P. Blavatsky, edited by Joy Mills. Wheaton, Illinois: Theosophical Publishing House, 1972, 1992.
- Living in Wisdom: Lectures on The Secret Doctrine. Amsterdam: Uitgeverij der Theosofische Vereniging in Nederland, 1994.57 pages. The text of a series of lectures given in 1988 at the International Theosophical Centre in Naarden, Holland, on the occasion of the centenary of the publication of The Secret Doctrine. The author elaborates on the mythological nature of the contents of HPB's work, particularly where these refer to the origins and development of humankind. Published in the Netherlands.
- The Myths of Our Lives: A Way to Personal Transformation. Wheaton, Illinois: Theosophical Publishing House, 1990. 42 pages. This study guide includes the nature and function of myth, discovering our own archetypes, the stages of individual growth, and creating rituals. Each chapter gives suggestions for group exercises and discussions.
- O Hidden Life. An Adyar booklet, imported from India.
- Theosophy and Psychology "A Study in Consciousness": a Course for Students. Wheaton, Illinois: Theosophical Society in America, 1944. 114 page handbook.
Additional resources
Articles
- Joy Mills: An Evolutionary Journey by Cynthia Overweg
Notes
- ↑ "Latin Club," Beloit High School Yearbook, 1936. Page 60.
- ↑ Joy Mills conversations with Janet Kerschner. January, 2013. Theosophical Society in America Archives.
- ↑ Joy Mills, 100 Years of Theosophy in America (Wheaton, Illinois:Theosophical Publshing House, 1987), 183.
- ↑ Joy Mills, "An Open Letter Regarding the Election of International President," April 1980. Dora Kunz Papers. Records Series 08.10. Theosophical Society in America Archives.