Mildred Hill Lubin

Mildred began her teaching career at Paine College in 1962, the height of the Civil Rights Movement and the Black Arts Movement, which followed. This cultural and political landscape offered her a rich life-changing, engaging, and courageous foundation. In addition to teaching the traditional undergraduate and English classes, from 1968-70, she taught composition and served as the Director of federally supported in-service institutes. Mildred Anderson Hill-Lubin, the oldest of the seven children of the late Luther and Mary B. Anderson was born March 23, 1933 in Russell County, Alabama. She grew up in Phenix City, Alabama and the family moved to Columbus, Georgia on V-J Day, September 2, 1945. Mildred graduated from Spencer High School in Columbus, Georgia in 1949. She continued her education at Paine College, Augusta, Georgia where she earned a BA. in English; later an MA in English, Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio and a Ph. D in English and African Studies from University of Illinois, Urbana- Champaign, Illinois for elementary and secondary school teachers. In preparation for these institutes, Mildred also began to study African American Literature which had not been a part of her English studies and was introduced to African Literature in English. These programs also were to help to assist in preparing teachers for the De-segregation of schools. She remained at Paine College until 1972, a year which proved to be pivotal: she was named a Dan forth Scholar, received an award for her first trip to Africa and a fellowship to enroll at the University of Illinois. While completing her doctorate in 1974, Mildred was recruited to come to the Department of English at the University of Florida, Gainesville to be the Director of the English program for Special Admit students and to teach American, African American and African Literatures. She also received an affiliate appointment in the Center for African Studies. For 29 years, she established a varied, productive and illustrious academic career at the University of Florida. In addition to being rewarded for teaching, producing several publications, serving on numerous committees, mentoring students, chairing Master's and Doctoral committees, she introduced Anglo-phone African Literature to the University, became the first African American and Woman assistant dean in the Graduate School. She was one of the fore-mothers in the founding of the Women's and Gender Studies Program. The highlight of her professional career was her election as the first woman and the first African American to head the African Literature Association, an international body. She retired from the University of Florida in May 2003, after 41 years as a teacher and professor. Dr. Hill-Lubin has been a lecturer, consultant, and active member of many scholarly, educational, community, and religious groups. Among these have been a consultant for the American Council on Education, Office of Women in Higher Education; Council of Chief State School Officers, Washington, DC; a trustee on the Santa Fe Community College District Board of Trustees; Steering Committee for the Center for African Studies, member of the University Senate, University of Florida; African American History Task Force, Florida Commission of Education. Mildred was a dedicated and active member of Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church where she served as a Steward, member of the Missionary Society, the Lay Organization, The New Members Orientation Class, the Health Committee and a greeter. She was a member of Church Women United. She was honored with a "Woman of Religion" award by The Charmettes of Gainesville. Among the other honors, she has received, they include the Gainesville Area Women of Distinction Award, Santa Fe College; Susan B. Anthony award ,Gainesville Commission on the Status of Women; University of Florida, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences award for excellence in teaching; University of Florida TIP award for teaching; "Who's Who Among American Teachers"; Who's Who in Black America" "Who's Who and Why of Successful Women in Florida"; member of Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Leadership and Achievement Award; Omega Psi Phi, 2007, Woman of the Year award; the "Quiet Courage "award, The Rosa Parks "Quiet Courage" Committee, Gainesville. She also was honored with an African "Praise song" by the poet, Dr. Micere G. Mugo. Mildred was an alumna member of The Gainesville Chapter of The Links, Inc.; Golden and Life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; The Visionaries, Inc; life member of The African Literature Association member of the Executive Board of the Matheson Museum, member of the Pleasant Street Historic Society, Gainesville Chapter of the United Nations Executive Board, former member of the Florida Humanities Council; Executive Council of the Alzheimer's Association ; the Black Heritage Committee of Alachua County. She was married to the late Dr. Maurice A. Lubin, retired Howard University professor. She was the loving Mother of the late Walter H. Hill (Dr. Madelene Sawyer Hill) Weston, Florida and Robert T. Hill, Gainesville, the caring grandmother of Tyrone Hill, Stone Mountain, Georgia; Miles Sawyer Hill, Weston; Tiffany Hill, Gainesville and adoring great grandmother to Imani and Caleb Hall, Gainesville, Dalton and Waylan Sawyer - Hill, Weston; and Amiya Rose Hill of Atlanta. She was preceded in death by her sister, Frances V. Johnson (Tacoma, WA.) and a favorite cousin, Bertram Thomas (Audrey) Augusta, Georgia. She is survived by her sisters, Christine Kennard, Columbia, Maryland; Brenda F. Anderson, Charlotte, NC; brothers, Robert L. Anderson (Louise) Columbus, Georgia; Luther Anderson, Jr. (Carol) Queen City, Arizona; and Tommy L. Anderson, Midlothian, Virginia. She will be fondly missed by her very attentive niece, Rev. Veronica Anderson - Lewis (Tim) and other numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, sorority sisters, friends, and many former students and as well by her special friends and "daughters," Delphine E. Jackson, Dr. Nana Banyiwa Horne, Bedez Massey and Rev. Dr. Debra King, Gainesville., Florida. A Celebration of Dr. Hill-Lubin's life will be held on Friday, October 19, 2018 at 1:00 pm at the Greater Bethel AME Church, 701 SE 43rd Street Gainesville FL.. Visitation Thursday, 1:00PM- 5:00PM, Chestnut Memorial Chapel. At 6:30PM, Ivy Beyond The Walls, followed by Memorial Services by The Links, at Greater Bethel AME Church and on Friday at the church from 12:00PM until the hour of the service. Interment will follow at Forest Meadows Memorial Park East, under the care of Chestnut Funeral Home, 18 NW 8th Avenue, Gainesville, Florida, 32601. Financial contributions and honorariums can be sent in Dr. Hill-Lubin's name to the Pleasant Street Historic Society, P.O. Box 5184 Gainesville, Florida32627-5184, Gainesville, Florida and/or The Robert L. Anderson Academy, PO Box 1844, Columbus, Ga 31902. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.chestnutfh.com

Mildred Hill Lubin

March 23, 1933 - October 14, 2018