Leader, Organizer, Water Defender, Community Builder: March 18, 1944 - December 5, 2021
When Nestle moved into Mecosta County in 1998 and set up its bottled water operations it had no idea it would be butting heads with a retired librarian living peacefully on Horsehead Lake with husband Gary. But then they didn’t know Terry. In 2000 when the community discovered the damage Nestle’s operation was doing to Deadstream and several small lakes in her area, Terry took the lead in assembling massive opposition. Along with other concerned citizens she helped gather over 2000 people in a public meeting and laid the groundwork for the formation of MCWC. Terry became the first president, MCWC hired Jim Olson as its attorney, the lawsuit was filed, and the rest is history. A victory against one of the largest corporations in the world.
Terry (center) with Amy Goodman and board members at her house on Horsehead Lake, 2016.
Over the years Terry led MCWC and also traveled around the state and country helping other groups organize to oppose bottled water operations. After the settlement of the lawsuit in 2009, as many took a justified rest from the work of MCWC, Terry stayed on for another two years to make sure the organization would continue as a model grassroots, all volunteer organization, since obviously the water issues she had engaged were not at all resolved. She continued to help with fundraising and rebuilt the Board to carry on the work. When she retired from the board in 2011, she continued to mentor the new leadership for many years.
Terry’s son Chris had joined his parents in moving the work of MCWC and returned to a leadership position in recent years, serving as Treasurer until last fall when he too retired to focus on family and farm. Here are his words describing his mother’s work:
“In one of the first concerned citizen, community meetings focused on the Nestle plan (and it was nothing but a plan in early stages at that point), Mom was armed with information and ideas. She was clearly willing to speak up, and was prepared to face the challenge. When the suggestion of a nonprofit citizens group was raised, a number of people gathered looked directly to Mom. After some back and forth, Mom stepped forward.
“Mom was able to take advantage of her lifetime Librarian skills managing mountainous reams of materials. She was willing and able to dedicate her time and efforts in retirement. And it took more time and more effort than imaginable. Mom was part of an early team of dedicated Board Members, all capable and committed, all working tirelessly and skillfully toward understanding the issues at hand, and finding ways to tackle them. Mom had an especially supportive and involved Board. And a Vice-president of equal dedication and determination, Rhonda Huff. The two were peas in a pod. Neither blinked when faced with the ever-present insurmountable challenges. Their belief was unshakable, founded on moral grounds and concerns for future generations, including their kids and grandkids and beyond.
Terry Swier and Jim Olson at annual meeting in Mecosta, 2018.
“Mom charged forward, her determination and grit, her full commitment never wavering. Dad and Mom spent countless hours most days hashing and rehashing minute details and the broadest picture. This extended into the many miles traveling across the state raising awareness, garnering support, fund raising, building coalitions, meeting with elected and appointed officials up and down the ladder of politics.
“As the many years passed, Mom found the need to pass this work on. She had focused on her plate and was nearing clearing it. She was growing older, as were her grandkids. Time became ever more precious.
“The work did not end. And continues today. The torch now lies within each of our grasps/hands.”
We will continue to do our best today to live up to her legacy.
— Peggy Case & Chris Swier
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Over the last 22 years thousands of people have come to know the name of Terry Swier as a model for water protectors across the country. Her groundbreaking work in helping to found and then to lead the grassroots organization that took on Nestle and won has helped to shine a light on a number of related issues of water justice.
Those of us who inherited that organization when she finally decided to retire from her voluntary position have always been proud of her legacy and sought to maintain it. Terry was known for her persistence, humility honesty, hard work, ability to connect the dots to the larger issues that guided her work. She knew this wasn’t just about one well in Mecosta and she kept the larger perspective always in front of us. She knew how to gather people together and lead thousands to work as volunteers for a common cause because they believed in it. Her principles were tight. No corporate money, no government money. We wouldn’t waste any money on an office or staff but rather build on the commitments of those who joined us. It was a unique organization and it has remained so to this day. It is with deep gratitude that we share in laying to rest a hero for the planet who has earned every moment of that rest.
Peggy Case for Board of Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation
(Sent to the viewing at the funeral home after her passing)
Tribute to Terry from We Advocate Through Environmental Review, Mount Shasta, California
January 18, 2022
Hello Fellow Water Protectors,
We would like to make a donation in memory of Terry and Gary Swier. We remember when we were fighting the Nestle plans to open a water bottling plant in McCloud, California back in 2004, Terry visited us and offered us valuable insights and support in our struggle and spoke at one of our first community meetings in McCloud. Her passion and dedication were an inspiration to us in what felt like a lonely struggle. We prevailed and Nestle never did open that plant! More recently we have been involved in fighting a Crystal Geyser beverage plant in Mount Shasta. Our struggle to enforce California environmental reviews resulted in Crystal Geyser also abandoning its project. You can see more details at our website www.cawater.net
We wish you success in your projects and mourn the loss of such dedicated activists.
