Mrs Gilmore

THC just learned (via the THC Sister) that Mrs Emma Gilmore, aged 95, passed away on April 3.  Mrs Gilmore was my fifth and six grade teacher way back when and was, by far, the most influential teacher of my elementary school years and someone THC has always remembered with great fondness.

Mrs Gilmore was smart, full of energy, funny and inspirational.  She also expected a lot of her students which we respected even at our young age.   She had the knack of making it clear she was the boss while at the same time encouraging us to think for ourselves and speak up.  My parents were among her admirers.

A Mrs Gilmore story:  In late October 1962 we had a field trip planned to the United Nations building.  Shortly before the day of the trip the Cuban Missile Crisis went public and we were all wondering if any of us would make it to November.  I remember that Mrs Gilmore came into our class a day or two before the trip and said something along the following lines:  "Some of your parents are concerned about our trip to the UN and whether we should be going.  I've told them that if anything bad happens it's not going to matter whether we're in Norwalk or New York so we're going ahead."  And we did, though we could not get into watch the Security Council meeting!  We had a great time.  Thank you, Mrs Gilmore.



From her obituary
 Emma Brantley Gilmore, age 95, the beloved wife of the late William M.
Gilmore, Sr., passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 3, 2014 in
Southport, CT. Born Emma Louise Brantley on August 7, 1918 to the late
Carrie Bessie Hayes-Brantley and Garnet Henderson Brantley in Elizabeth,
 New Jersey, Mrs. Gilmore grew up in New Jersey. She was a graduate of
Abraham Clark High School and received her B.S. in Education in 1941
from Cheyney State Teacher's College and her M.A. in Education in 1961 from Columbia University.

Mrs. Gilmore was the first African American Teacher in the Roselle, NJ school system. In 1954, the family moved to Norwalk and Emma continued her outstanding teaching career. Emma Gilmore was an exceptional educator, recognized for her energy, enthusiasm, courage, creative methods and total dedication to her students. She believed in the potential of each child and was totally committed to their success. Emma was a leader among her peers, mentored many young teachers and advocated for excellence in education with the Norwalk Education Association for over forty years.

Emma Brantley GilmoreNorwalk Educator
Emma Brantley Gilmore, age 95, the beloved wife of the late William M. Gilmore, Sr., passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 3, 2014 in Southport, CT. Born Emma Louise Brantley on August 7, 1918 to the late Carrie Bessie Hayes-Brantley and Garnet Henderson Brantley in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Mrs. Gilmore grew up in New Jersey. She was a graduate of Abraham Clark High School and received her B.S. in Education in 1941 from Cheyney State Teacher's College and her M.A. in Education in 1961 from Columbia University.
Mrs. Gilmore was the first African American Teacher in the Roselle, NJ school system. In 1954, the family moved to Norwalk and Emma continued her outstanding teaching career. Emma Gilmore was an exceptional educator, recognized for her energy, enthusiasm, courage, creative methods and total dedication to her students. She believed in the potential of each child and was totally committed to their success. Emma was a leader among her peers, mentored many young teachers and advocated for excellence in education with the Norwalk Education Association for over forty years. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thehour/obituary.aspx?n=emma-brantley-gilmore&pid=170512182&fhid=20390#sthash.2L3zuAe7.dpuf

Emma Brantley GilmoreNorwalk Educator
Emma