Friends, family and colleagues representing a broad spectrum of prominent citizens in St. Louis recently gathered at the beautifully refurbished Homer G. Phillips Senior Living Community to celebrate the 96th birthday of a living legend: Elizabeth White Garlington, social worker, civil rights activist, surrogate mother and church worker extraordinaire.
Good food, toasts and roasts to the honoree made the festive occasion memorable. Annie Malone Family and Children’s Center was the recipient of generous donations given in Mrs. G’s name.
Fred Robinson, Janette White and Carlos Kimbrough performed an array of music. Many shared wonderful stories about Mrs. G’s importance in their lives. In her lighthearted style, she responded to the evening of fun with several amusing retorts.
Her sharp mind and genuine affection for others is notable. She is an avid reader and expert on family relationships, racial issues and African-American history. A cancer and heart surgery survivor, she has recovered from two hip fractures. Her zest for life is inspirational.
In 1968-1970, as a social work student at George Warren School of Social Work at Washington University, this writer met Ms. Garlington. We cherished her wisdom, professional expertise and genuine efforts to assist us. Together, we attended African-American theatre, civic meetings and speaker’s appearances.
She was born May 31, 1909, in Abbeville, South Carolina, known as the “Seat of the Confederacy,” the same year the NAACP was founded. She earned her B.S. from Atlanta University Preparatory School, and in 1934 earned her master’s in social work at Atlanta University. In Atlanta, her contact with great African-American fathers W.E.B. Dubois, J. Rosomond Johnson, James Weldon Johnson and E. Franklin Fraizer helped shape her philosophy of life.
She did further post-graduate study at the New York School of Social Research, Columbia University, Chicago University and Smith College. Her professional degrees include MSW, ACSW (Accreditation Council of Social Work) and Clinical Social Worker Emeritus.
In 1937, she was recruited to Provident Association in St. Louis and worked there 35 years. As the first African American called into service in this area by the American Red Cross during World War II, Mrs. G established a program to help families of service men from this area.
Her numerous honors and awards include National Conference of Christians and Jews, 1989; and Women of Achievement, 1975. In 1996, at age 86, she carried the torch in the Olympics. From 1977-1993, she served as chairperson, ACT-SO for the St. Louis Branch NAACP and raised funds for many students.
– Jeanne Goodwin Arradondo, MSW
