Hon. Sadie M. Winslow - A Celebration of Life

SADIE M. WINSLOW
A CELEBRATION OF LIFE

Sadie M. Winslow one of Harlem’s shining stars dedicated her life to empowering the people, both young and old of this great city. She served on the boards of numerous organizations with distinction and honor. Community Board No 9, Harlem Landmarks, the Schomburg Center for Research, HIP of Greater New York, Morningside Retirement and Health Services, Louise Wise Adoption Agency, West Side Inter-Agency Council, The NYC Chapter of the National Caucus & Center on Black Aged, Inc., Friends of George Bruce Library and The Riverside Church, just to name a few.

She was also the co-founder of Seniors Helping Seniors, Co-Chair of the Senior Citizen Issues Committee for several years as well as a representative for the New York City and State Department of Aging. Sadie was also one of the distinguished women who were honored in 1994 by the New York Women’s Foundation.

Recently she was appointed by Mayor Bloomberg to the Advisory Council of the Department of Aging.

Mrs. Winslow’s family immigrated to this country from Nevis, an island in the Caribbean. She was born in New Haven, Connecticut. She grew up in a loving and supportive family that valued education. Living in a mixed neighborhood she was not aware of racism in her early school years. In fact, in her class she was the only student of color until the sixth grade. This experience heightened her awareness of racial identity.

The young Sadie learned to play the piano and organ and was invited to play the piano and organ at different events including church programs and at her Uncle Charles Mills’ union meetings. Her Uncle Charles was also involved in the Marcus Garvey Movement and she attended many meetings with him in her early years.

She belonged to St Luke’s Episcopal Church in New Haven, Connecticut. This was a place that provided activities to broaden the horizon of its young people.

After graduating from high school, Mrs. Winslow attended St. Augustine’s College in Raleigh, North Carolina. An Episcopal college founded in 1867, the college today is still a highly respected accredited historically black institution of higher learning. At college she majored in education and was involved in campus activities such as the Drama Club.

During the summers she worked at various camps to help with college expenses. After college Mrs. Winslow embarked on a teaching career first in New Haven where she worked as a teacher and director of a nursery school for two or three years and then left for New York City.

She earned a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from New York University and later did post graduate work at the University of Puerto Rico.

When she moved to New York she lived in Harlem at the YWCA, worshiped at the famous Saint Philip’s Episcopal Church and began to teach in East Harlem. Later, she was a trainer of teachers and became the Director of the Neighborhood Children’s Center, Inc. in Harlem and worked there for many years. Subsequently she was an Assistant Professor at Hunter College and at Paterson College in New Jersey. When not working Mrs. Winslow vacationed in the Caribbean and traveled throughout Europe.

Mrs. Winslow stated that she became aware of the discriminatory practices in this city from the late Reverend Adam Clayton Powell. Over time, she became involved with groups who were attempting to bring about changes in economic, social and educational policies. After many retirements, Mrs. Winslow continued her involvement with scores of organizations and activities in her community.

She remained steadfast and unmovable in her convictions to her ideals and committed to help others realize their true potential. She was an inspiration to all who knew and cherished her good works and has been the recipient of numerous awards and proclamations that represent the many contributions that she has made in Harlem and throughout the city of New York

Daughter of the late Frances Rose Farrell and David Mills, she was predeceased by her devoted and loving husband Henry Winslow; sisters, Ellen Luciana Amory of Nevis, Lillian Williams of New Haven, Connecticut; brothers David Mills, Joseph Liburd, Joshua M. Liburd of New Haven, Connecticut; and nephew Wilmot Amory of Nevis. She is survived by nephews and nieces, Nelson Amory of London, England, Alvin Amory of Nevis, Dulcie Harding of Toronto, Canada, Gloria Harris of North Carolina, Phyllis Lindsay, Frank Williams, Monica Spruill, Debra R. Liburd of New Haven Connecticut and Denise D. Liburd of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and a host of great and great-great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.