Brookdale Celebrates Women’s History Month!

Dr. Joan Hillsman, a resident at Brookdale East Side, is seen as a pillar of strength in her community. She is a first-generation college graduate in her family – earning a Ph.D. in music from Howard University. Hillsman is a music educator, author, lecturer, African-American music historian, university professor and retired Supervisor of Music for the National Gospel Music Workshop of America.

Mary McAlister calls Brookdale Cedar Springs home. Sewing has been a longtime passion for Mary. In fact, at one point Mary did tailoring work for Colonel Sanders. Brookdale associates said Mary can often be found with a needle and thread in her hands at the community, along with a big smile on her face!

Louise Lewis, a resident at Brookdale Riverwalk, is known throughout her community as a real-life “Rosie the Riveter.” When the country needed help during WWII, Louise didn’t hesitate to answer the call. Additionally, she owned and ran one of the very first car rental shops in Bakersfield, California. She continues to lead, empower and inspire others as the Resident Council President in her community.

Joan Durling has called Brookdale Meridian home for the past seven years. Known by residents in the community as “Ms. Joan,” she has dedicated most of her life to helping others. Joan worked as a crisis counselor for Owosso Mental Health for 45 years. In 2001, Ms. Joan was part of a group that went with the Red Cross International Crisis Team to New York City following the World Trade Center attack. She continues to help others even now at Brookdale as one of our community’s welcome ambassadors, helping other residents feel right at home!

Mary Jane Crews calls Brookdale Biloxi home and has an incredible story from the WWII era. Crews, 99, learned how to fly a Piper J-3 Cub airplane from 1944 to 1945. She is also a mother of six children and is known by residents and associates in her community as an incredibly giving and inspiring woman – who even sets the standard for other women! Photo Courtesy: WXXV-TV.

Mae Mitchell, a resident at Brookdale Fort Wayne, is a trailblazer in the world of dance! Mae has been dancing all her life and was even featured alongside her senior dance troupe, the Alley Cats, in Reminisce Magazine in the 1980’s. She is known throughout her Brookdale community as a leader who shows concern for others and always encourages the younger generation. Photo Courtesy: WFFT-TV.

Hazel Hinds, a resident at Brookdale DeLand, helped pave the way for women in the workforce in the 1960's. Hinds worked for both General Electric and NASA in the area of Quality Control Inspection. After nearly two decades in this industry, Hinds began an entrepreneurial venture that led her to opening and operating a successful real estate company. Upon retirement, she celebrated flipping more than 30 homes during her career.

Mildred Kitchens, a resident at Brookdale Denton South, served the people of Texas as a social worker during WWII, the Korean War, Vietnam and beyond. Kitchens, 102, also helped start the first clinic in Texas for women to receive birth control at no charge. She told CBS News Texas in a recent interview that she didn’t retire until she was 80 - but said her work still isn’t done. Photo Courtesy: CBS News Texas.

Brookdale Celebrates Women’s History Month!

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