By ELIZABETH SINCLAIR
DeFuniak Springs – Mildred Wilkerson was honored by the DeFuniak Springs Woman’s Club as the sixth “Woman of Light” at the Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood on Aug. 12. Woman of Light recognizes local women who, though their personal contributions, have made positive differences to the community. With each recognition comes a marble plaque placed under a street light along the sidewalk on Circle Drive. The crowd honoring her overflowed the building.
When people think of Wilkerson they often think class. She spent 33 years in the classroom teaching science to hundreds of students. During this time she chaired the science department for 19 years and was voted teacher of the year three times.
Class has an additional definition. She presented herself with a dignity and poise that many in the crowd remembered – keeping in mind these were middle school students – including, according to Woman’s Club speaker Chris Guzowski, Florida Representative Brad Drake. Drake remembered her annual homeroom lunch. She’d prepare a lunch for students with all the appropriate linens, china and silverware. Drake learned to eat a Cornish game hen with a knife and fork, not with his hands.
Wilkerson graduated from Tivoli High School, a then-segregated school in 1949. She married Henry Wilkerson, also an educator and a principal in the county for many years. They had three children, Jerrund, Sheila and Sherrell. After being married, Wilkerson went to Tallahassee and graduated from Florida State Agriculture and Mechanical University (FAMU) with a degree in middle and high school education.
Wilkerson was an elected member of the Walton County School Board, serving as chair many times during her tenure. She has been a member of the board of the Girl Scouts and the Walton County 4-H. She has been a member of Walton County Retired Teachers and Educators for years, serving as president as well. A member of the Red Bay Church, her calling has led her to much service work. As a certified caterer she’s offered elegance and food to many events.
Wilkerson’s class extends to her always being coiffed and dressed beautifully. Female former middle school students say her influence in how to present oneself made a big difference in their lives. Her son, Jerrrund, said his mother told the family, “They say you can’t tell a book by it’s cover. But…give them something to look at.”
A luncheon, with cake, was provided for the attendees.