Honorary street sign to honor trailblazing mathematician Gloria Gilmer

In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the proposal to honor Dr. Gloria Gilmer by naming a section of West Highland Avenue after her. The honorary street name would span from North 6th Street to North 8th Street in the 4th Aldermanic District, adjacent to the Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) main campus.

Dr. Gilmer, a pioneering figure in mathematics education, was the first Black woman to earn a PhD from Marquette University and the first Black math instructor at MATC. Her contributions to education, particularly for minority students, were highlighted by her daughter, Jill Gilmer, and members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, who sponsored the application for the honorary sign.

During the meeting, Linda Lucas, representing the Epsilon Capital Omega Chapter of the sorority, emphasized Dr. Gilmer's legacy of service and her groundbreaking work in mathematics, including her research on \"ethnomathematics,\" which is now displayed at the Library of Congress. Jill Gilmer shared personal anecdotes about her mother's dedication to her students and her mission to help them succeed against the odds.

Dr. Philip Blank, a close friend of Dr. Gilmer, also spoke in favor of the proposal, recalling her impact on students and her innovative teaching methods, such as the \"family math\" program that encouraged parental involvement in learning. He drew parallels between naming the street after Dr. Gilmer and other significant figures in Milwaukee's history, asserting that it would serve as a lasting tribute to her contributions to education and the community.

The proposal received unanimous support from the Citizens Advisory Committee, and the meeting concluded with a strong endorsement for the honorary street name, which aims to inspire future generations of students at MATC and beyond.