Brentwood Citizen honored with 2006 Governor's Humanities Community Involvement Award

Barbara Gill. was recently honored with the 2006 Governor’s Humanities Community Involvement Award, conferred by the Missouri Humanities Council. This award recognizes a special contribution to a community’s understanding of its heritage. The award ceremony took place at the Missouri Governor's Mansion in Jefferson City.

Barbara Gill is known to people throughout Missouri for her tireless and enthusiastic promotion of the Missouri Humanities Council. She retired from the Council in 2005 after twenty-five years of service. Barbara served as Acting Director during a leadership transition in 1995 and was promoted to Deputy Director early in 1997. A native St. Louisian, she graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy, and received a Bachelor of Science degree in political science and history from Maryville University, Saint Louis.

Barbara has always taken an active interest in her community. She was one of the organizers and first President of the Mark Twain Elementary School Mother’s Club, served on the Mark Twain PTA executive Committee and was a delegate to Brentwood’s Conference on Public Education She also served as Secretary of the Brentwood High School V.I.P. Club for 3 years. Barbara was elected to the Brentwood School Board and served for 12 years, holding several offices including President in 1990-91.

Barbara Gill surrounded by family, friends, and Brentwood supporters

In 1985, Barbara organized the Brentwood Historical Society. She served as President for 16 years and is currently Treasurer. She has been instrumental in developing historical displays and “manning” the Historical Society booth for Brentwood’s annual community celebration from its start as Maddenfest to present Brentwood Days. For the city’s 75th Anniversary, she and a friend gathered information, conducted interviews and wrote articles about the history of Brentwood, which culminated in a commemorative newspaper published by the “Pulse”. The Brentwood Chamber of Commerce chose her and her friend, Regina Gahr, as Citizens of the Year for 1994.

In 2002, the Historical Society published a book on the history of Brentwood. Barbara, along with her husband Joe, was a driving force behind the book. The Brentwood Historical Society currently has a building on the parking lot of City Hall, which is open to the public on Fridays. Barbara volunteers every Friday and other times as well. She continues to serve on committees in Brentwood and St. Louis. She is currently co-chair of the Arts Roundtable.

Barbara has received proclamations from both the House and the Senate of the State of Missouri for her work.

Since 1971, the Missouri Humanities Council has provided thousands of programs to help Missourians enjoy a rich cultural life and develop community citizenship. Our mission is to enable families and communities to broaden their appreciation of history, literature, and the ideas that shape our democracy. Our programs include: READ from the START, family reading initiative; Chautauqua, community celebration of history: Charettes, consulting for local museums & cultural institutions; Museum on Main Street rural initiative of the Smithsonian Institution; as well as Grants and Initiatives to fund locally generated programs.

To learn more about the Governor’s Humanities Awards, this year’s other honorees, or to nominate someone for the 2007 Community Heritage, Excellence in Secondary Education, or Book Award, please visit our website, mohumanities.org/programs/awards/gaward06.htm

MHC is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities, a Federal agency.