Mildred Hermine Gilman

It was nice to get this reminder of Mildred as I am now remembering Mildred and Martin and a wonderful few days that our family spent with them at their cabin in New Hampshire. They were such generous and sweet friends and are still missed.

Today I remember the flavorful raspberries the Gilman grew and fed us with. I think of their lovely home in Lexington and many evenings spent there in good conversation.

Mildred served on the national board of Lutheran Church Women and was instrumental in their involvement in literacy.Mildred and Martin were wonderful friends to us when we lived in Bedford 30 years ago.

Mildred was extraordinary. She and her husband gave their energies to enabling and empowering speakers of other languages by recognizing their intelligence and training them in English. She was tutoring up until her last days, at the assisted living facility where she lived. She was constantly loyal to what became the name "English At Large" even when it changed so radically during her lifetime. She never forgot the nobility of its mission, and we never shall forget her devotion.

In 1983,I met Mildred and volunteered to teach a young,Khmer Rouge survivor and mother of 3,living in Lexington, the Laubach Literacy method of learning English. She had an easy spirit, was gentle and well-seasoned in her expertise, training many of us who recognized the trauma Cambodians faced under a violent dictatorship. I am forever grateful to her for enriching my life, and being a supportive teacher, with just the right sense of humor, too. She will always shine through others.

Mildred--You were the one of the first people I met when I started in literacy work more than 30 years ago and you came to help the Laubach Literacy staff start a new project in Newark, NJ. I learned about true dedication from you and still remember you telling me that when people asked what you wanted for a Christmas or birthday present, you would always have a list ready with books for your training and teaching. Thank you for all the people you helped over those many years.

Through English At Large, Mildred touched thousands of lives in wonderful ways. She was an inspiration of commitment, dedication, and generosity. Mildred will be greatly missed and forever remembered.

She touched my life through her organization~ English At Large and I will be forever grateful.

A kind and gentle person, Mildred remained through the decades close to her founding vision.