WGC "Our Giving, Our Stories!"​ Special Final Profile: Mrs. Vivian C. (Millie) Bailey

Black Philanthropy Month 2020: Day 31
 
The Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County (WGC) would like to express our sincere appreciation to all 31 inspirational women who participated in our first “Our Giving, Our Stories!” philanthropist profile series in celebration of Black Philanthropy Month 2020.

​The WGC is proud to be a financial supporter of National Black Philanthropy Month (BPM), which is observed every August. The primary aims of BPM are informing, involving, inspiring and investing in Black philanthropic leadership to strengthen African-American and African-descent giving in all its forms, for the benefit of our planet, our communities, our organizations and our lives.

​​Starting on August 1 and each day in August thereafter, the WGC has shared daily profiles of Howard County philanthropists in celebration of Black Philanthropy Month.

We have enjoyed highlighting these inspirational stories of women in our community who discussed what moves them to give their time, talent and financial resources, when they started giving to issues that are important to them, and what advice they have for those interested in giving back.
 
“I am thrilled to have lead the WGC’s “Our Giving, Our Stories!” Profile effort for Black Philanthropy Month” said Malynda Madzel, philanthropist and former WGC Advisory Board Member. “As a long-time supporter of the WGC, I’m excited to have elevated the voices of women in our community who give back in so many ways, and in particular, I am honored to end our profile series with Millie Bailey, a matriarch of Black philanthropy in our community.”
 
As we end Black Philanthropy Month, we are excited to provide an enhanced “Our Giving, Our Stories!” profile of Mrs. Vivian C. (Millie) Bailey. We’ve chosen her as our final honoree for her many years of philanthropy and service to our community, and our country. With Millie’s profile, we “saved the best ‘til last.”
 
As an early donor to the Women’s Giving Circle, her generosity helped to establish the foundation upon which we built our organization.  We are very fortunate to have her as our own—a philanthropist who is both a local and national role model and living treasure that has served our country, state and county in multiple roles at various stages of her life. 
 
At age 102 and six months, she is the epitome of a life dedicated to service and a force to be reckoned with. Her life is one that instills a great sense of awe of accomplishment to those that know her as she is - an inspiration to those women who are now finding their individual passion and who are reaching through barriers to connect, support and serve our community.

We look forward to many more years of Millie’s wisdom and compassion as we move forward with our efforts and follow her example to make Howard County a better place to live for all our residents, and especially - women and girls. Please read Millie’s enhanced profile here, and the 30 other “Our Giving, Our Stories!” profiles.