Mildred Wilborn Gildersleeve

Mildred “Millie” Wilborn Gildersleeve, formerly of Palm Beach County, was born a slave in Cuthbert, Georgia in 1858 shortly before the U.S. Civil War. She served as a nurse and midwife in Florida during the Reconstruction Era. Mrs. Gildersleeve delivered “into the world and cared for many of Palm Beach County, Florida’s leading citizens.” Due to her good reputation, Mrs. Gildersleeve maintained strong relationships with families throughout Palm Beach County despite strict racial segregation. For many pioneering families tasked with building the area, she was the only source of maternal care. Mrs. Gildersleeve nurtured and cared for mothers, their infants and their families. She played a significant role in women’s reproductive health and childbirth in the pioneering days of Palm Beach County, Florida. A deliverer, healer, coach, companion, and supporter, Millie and women like her ensured that generations of Floridian families could enjoy safe and healthy childbirth experiences. In 1950, Mrs. Gildersleeve was posthumously inducted into the Lake Worth Pioneer’s Association. The Historical Society of Palm Beach County has recognized Mrs. Gildersleeve as one of the first healers and medical practitioners to settle in the Palm Beach County area. The Palm Beach Post has recognized Mrs. Gildersleeve as the “Midwife to Generations” due to her noted involvement in the births of many pioneer and Seminole babies. Mrs. Gildersleeve and her husband Jake Gildersleeve had five children.  Many of the descendants of her granddaughter Pansy Harper reside in Palm Beach County. Millie Gildersleeve’s legacy reflects the important contributions that nurse-midwives made to women’s reproductive health throughout the State of Florida.