Mildred Brooks lived her life with passion and flair. She served on the Capital Area Food Bank’s Board of Directors and was its secretary for a number of years. Her commitment to nutrition and healthy eating was indeed her passion, although she confessed that from time to time she enjoyed a good McDonald’s hamburger.
Mildred made an enormous impact on Washington, DC where she finally settled. After studying home economics and earning a degree in nutrition at Howard University, she worked for the DC government, was chief dietitian at the DC Village family shelter, special assistant to the director of public welfare and community nutritionist for the Surplus Food Program. She was a past president of the DC Mayor’s Commission on Food, Nutrition and Health.
At the DC Department of Welfare and the DC Department of Human Services, she became what they called a “home economist,” teaching families in the community the importance of preparing balanced meals.
She won awards across the city for her work with nutrition. She helped the city start its food bank and the farmers market at RFK Stadium. She became the first black president of the DC Dietetic Association and president of the DC Home Economics Association.
One of the most memorable and touching moments I have of Mildred is when one of our young staff members died suddenly and those attending the memorial service were asked to speak extemporaneously. Rather than speaking, Mildred stepped forward to the baby grand piano and at 91 played “Amazing Grace” with such passion and flair that there was not a dry eye in the Church. Mildred lived a life of amazing grace. We will miss her.