Rose Gilbert was a lifelong influence. I still vividly remember walking into her classroom in 1982. I must admit she made me nervous. You never knew what she would say. She didn’t have the entire class read one book at the same time; she picked out three books for each individual student to read and write their “Big Mama” about.
It felt extremely personal, like having your fortune told. You knew she was choosing those books just for you. I was very shy, and my books had to do with artists and existentialism. Despite my quiet presence, it felt like she saw me and was validating who I was.
Rose was an outspoken ally for those who were different or ostracized. I will never forget how she would matter-of-factly mention gay rights and simply talk about gay people at a time when I don’t recall anyone else doing so.
Her off-handed and often dramatic comments made an impression which lasted through my years-long journey of discovering my own sexual orientation. Later, when I began a non-profit organization, A Window Between Worlds, to support domestic violence survivors to heal and find their voice through art, Rose was one of our very first supporters.
And she continued to encourage me and nurture our work up until her passing. I, along with the staff of A Window Between Worlds, had the honor of sharing much of the last year of Rose’s life.
A woman in motion, she came in promptly at 9:30 a.m. several days each week – thirty minutes before her schedule began. She frequently asked if she could work more hours or more days in the week.
Rose loved swing music and we played it loud. Staff danced while Rose moved side-to-side, remaining busy at work. She put her pen down one day, looked up and declared, we were all GDIWs – God Damn Independent Women.
It was Rose’s highest blessing and made us proud. She loved the freedom, joy and creativity she felt in getting to paint, and in getting to be my student instead of my teacher. In late October of this year, we were deeply honored to present Rose with our heART award, perhaps the last of a great many well-deserved awards she received on her incredible journey.
Always practical, Rose livened up our office with orchids right after the event, because they “didn’t need much water or attention that would take us away from the work at hand.” The day before Rose died we watered one of her potted orchids. The very next day, to our surprise, a flower appeared.
Thank you Mama G, for the bold, bright and lasting difference you make, and for always giving voice to those whose stories are silent. You will be with those you touched always.
Cathy Salser
Palisades High School Class of 1984
Founder, A Window Between Worlds
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