Those who know the name “Ms. Millie,” know it is synonymous with kindness, a warm smile and Smarties. Millie Bowman has been lovingly known as the grandmother of East Broadway elementary school for the past 41 years—an unbelievably amazing feat—so it was no surprise to anyone but her when the school monitor was selected to receive the Vern Mulholland, Friend of Education Award by the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.
“I grew up in a nice neighborhood in Brooklyn and my husband was one of my neighbors,” said Bowman, who at the age of 91, is still sharp as a tack. “When the war came, an interviewer from AT&T came to our high school and offered the seniors a job.”
Bowman got engaged to her husband, Bill, when she was 17. They married after he came home from his service in the NAVY Air Corps. After having her two sons, Bowman retired from AT&T and became a stay-at-home mother.
“My children did so well in the Levittown School District and they still think today that they got their best education there,” said Bowman of her children who attended Wisdom Lane. “I started my second career when Bill was working in Wisdom
Lane as a part-time custodian. The lady in the kitchen said she needed help so Bill asked me if I wanted to work there.”
Bowman worked at Wisdom for one year and then relocated to Division Avenue for four years, after they offered her more hours. She retired a second time after giving birth to her daughter, but knew that her time working in the schools was not over.
“In 1974, my daughter Dorothy was only in third grade when the school told me that they had a new job that would fit well with my hours as a lunch room monitor,” said Bowman. “In two weeks I started at East Broadway and have been here ever since.”
As a school monitor, Bowman assists the kids in helping them line up for lunch, opening their snacks and seeing that they listen and behave themselves.
“When we have recess, I organize games and play ball with them,” she said. “I always hand out Smarties,” added Bowman of her trademark treat.
When Bowman learned that she was nominated for the prestigious award by her former colleague, Jean Fontana, she couldn’t believe it.
“I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving,” said Fontana of the award, which will be presented to Bowman by the society
of women educators at a brunch at the Marriott Hotel in Uniondale on April 26 at 10 a.m. “I worked with her for many years, and she’s always so upbeat and the kids absolutely adore her.”
Of Bowman’s many admirable qualities, Fontana said that the beloved “Ms. Millie” serves as a confidant to the kids, and that the level of respect is a two-way street.
“If any child is experiencing difficulty, Millie goes over and asks how she can help or do something for them to make them feel better,” she said. “She’s a wonderful, delightful, happy person and has more energy than anyone I know.”
As an active member in her community, Bowman has been involved with the American Legion for many years. Fontana recalled a time when she wrote a play and needed costumes for the students in the show. It was Bowman to the rescue in a heartbeat.
“When I was teaching here, I wrote a play called The Founding of Levittown and we needed costumes, like old-fashioned gloves, hats and pocketbooks and outfits from the 1940s,” said Fontana. “Millie supplied the hats. Anything she could help with, she did. We’re a family here at East Broadway.”
Bowman is proud to work in East Broadway and has always considered herself one of the kids.
“It’s very gratifying and very heartfelt that students remember me for so many years,” she said. “It is very humbling that I have had an impact in these kids’ lives.”
