8 United Way of Delaware February-March 2009 www.uwde.org

United Way of DelawareThe Linden Building, Third Floor625 North Orange StreetWilmington, DE 19801

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Wilmington, DE

Muriel Gilman is such a vital part of theDelaware community that some people might besurprised to learn that she is not a native of the FirstState. She moved here from the New York City areain the mid-1960s with her husband and school-agedchildren, but she quickly immersed herself in socialaction in Delaware.

With her advanced degree in public administrationand years of volunteer and professional experience ineducation, she was hired by United Way of Delaware in1966 — the first female professional on the organiza-tion’s staff. She worked at UWD for 22 years, much ofthat time as executive vice president. Gilman witnessedfirsthand the challenges Delaware communities faceand the impact that UWD has by collaborating withagencies and volunteers to tackle problems.

“I believed in the community and I believed inwhat we were doing to bring about change in thecommunity,” she says.

Gilman retired from UWD in 1988 but has re-

mained active by serving on committees and theboard. She is especially pleased with the directionthat UWD has taken in the past few years. “With thenew Strategic Focus Areas and projects such as thisyear’s Delaware Does More, United Way is back to itsroots as a true community organization,” she says.

In addition to her work with UWD, Gilman hasvolunteered with numerous other community organ-izations, including Girls Inc., the YWCA, and Chil-dren and Families First. She has been given manyawards, but she is most proud of the Gerald E. Kan-dler ACLU Award, which she and her husband re-ceived for their outstanding leadership for the causeof civil liberties in Delaware. “Equality for all, that’swhat it’s about at United Way, too,” she says.

By Theresa Gawlas Medoff

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Muriel Gilman was the first female professional onUnited Way of Delaware’s staff back in 1966, andshe continues to support United Way and manyother community organizations.

photo by Jeff Green

Loyal Donor Profile:Muriel Gilman