The end of World War II is approaching as Mildred Porter is born in New Iberia, Louisiana. During this time racial discrimination is prevalent, both within and outside the U.S. military. Racial segregation is routinely enforced throughout the state and African Americans are subject to the horrendous Jim Crow laws. Although the racial aspects of the country made life difficult, young Mildred took refuge in her family and the black community. In New Iberia everyone knew each other and rarely did anyone go without a meal. Unlike today, prior calls and arrangements weren’t necessary, you just came over for dinner and that was the traditional African way. From an early age, Mildred’s family instilled the importance of having a good work ethic. Her father, a skilled landscaper was the epitome of a hard worker. He made his own gardening tools, which can truly be admired as we spend a fortune on those same tools today. At the age of 11 she began contributing to her family by working around the house, something traditional of kids in those days. In high school, like many African Americans, she worked every day after school doing domestic work for a white family. NOTE: Enjoy the slideshow below. These are actual pictures, none of these photos were staged, and you're viewing student's trays at breakfast or lunch.
After high school she married Augustus Rose. Augustus was from New Iberia but spent some time living in Oakland, California where he attended Oakland Tech High School for a while, but later moved back to New Iberia. The stay wouldn’t last long as he missed Oakland and wanted to return. Mildred loved the intimate feel of New Iberia and if it were up to her she wouldn’t have left her mother’s home. Despite her affection for her hometown, Mildred moved to Oakland with her husband. Her transition was tough. She often felt lonely in her new city. She was from a place where everybody knew everybody and if you didn’t you felt like you did. For this small town woman it was the strangest feeling speaking to passersby and they not respond. While still getting adjusted to the customs of a new place, the owner of Pacific Bowl, then located at 73rd and East 14th Street, offered Mama Rose her first job in Oakland. Everything was going well until the owner Ester, also from New Iberia, had to leave town and needed Mildred to cover the morning cook shift. There was one problem; she didn’t know how to cook. Apart from making milkshakes and malts at the bowling alley this Black woman from the south, as hard as it is to believe, didn’t know her way around the kitchen. However, she knew the basics of cooking because she often paid attention to the cooks. The moment of truth came when one of the frequent customers came in and said he wanted his usual steak, eggs, and hash browns. She said, “I know what you want, I just don’t know how to cook it.” She uncertainly placed the steak on the grill and with determination, acumen, and a little help from the customer she prepared a delicious meal. When the steak began sizzling on the grill this began her work in food service. Later she worked as a cook at a local bar and grill in downtown Oakland but after a heated confrontation with her boss she quit. The next day she enrolled full time at Laney College. Although in her 30’s she was just as sharp as her younger classmates. She adapted to being a student well. Her passion for math prompted her to take business related courses. She continued to develop her culinary skills by taking food preparation courses and catering alongside one of her professors. After earning an Associates degree in Accounting she realized she didn’t like the idea of being confined to a desk as she was an active person and craved mobility. She decided it was time for her to return to food service. Mildred resumed her career by starting as a prep cook at Herrick Hospital, which is now part of Alta Bates Summit Medical Center. Her value to the cafeteria was immediately noticeable. She was not a wasteful person and insisted that the head chefs salvage the massive amounts of food being thrown away. This enabled her to concoct meals with food that otherwise would have been disposed of. Even today you can see the significant impact she made as her sausage and rice meal and Mexican Delight are still menu items at the hospital. The need to provide for her children encouraged her to strive for a higher position and she eventually became Operations Manager of Herrick cafeteria. After 25 years in the food service industry Mildred Rose retired as a Patient Cook from Alta Bates Hospital. While the thought of retirement was attractive to her for a short time, her busy spirit needed a purpose. As a member of Wo’se Community Church, she would occasionally volunteer to assist at Ile Omode, and slowly began to see how her talents could be put to use. She knew her services were needed when she found out that many of the students regularly ate fast food for dinner. Although she couldn’t control what the children ate at home she could influence what they ate at school. Mama Rose, as she is affectionately known by most, believes that having a nutritious meal helps students focus and perform well in the learning environment. It seems that the students agree; they rave about her breakfast and lunch, amicable personality, and the care they receive from her. Sixth grader Halim Muhammad, said he “likes that she makes them food because at most schools you have to bring your own lunch.” At a young age the children appreciate and recognize her hard work both inside and outside the kitchen. KaRa Awakoaiye, also a sixth grader, describes her grandmother as a sweetheart who treats everybody equally. She said, “Mama Rose doesn’t embarrass or make outcasts of people.” KaRa continued, “for her age she is very strong to continue working in the kitchen when she could be at home enjoying retirement.” Ile Omode is a Yoruba phrase that means “House of the Children” and these are truly Mama Rose’s children as they all feel like her family. The children love and admire her endlessly but her love extends beyond the children and she shares more than culinary arts with everyone at the school. “She’s very resourceful and like a resident grandmother to help you with every situation that may come up,” said Jamila Levine, a teacher at Ile Omode. Levine continued that Mama Rose, although unpaid, just likes to work. “I don’t know many people to come out of retirement to work.” This may be due to what Abubakar Omari, a middle school teacher, calls “…that old time religion work ethic.” He said Mama Rose spends a lot of time each summer cleaning up and preparing the school before the school year starts. Apparently that New Iberian work ethic remains. Mama Rose said, “I don’t look for cash, the kids pay you everyday with their compliments and thank-yous…and the good Lord pays you with health and strength.” [Click here to support Ile Omode.] Share this article with your friends and family: 
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"The limits of knowledge have never been reached" 
Imhotep is known as the world's first multi-genius; he is the first recorded architect and physician in history |
Mention the word retirement and most people will likely conjure up images of palm trees, boats, and pina coladas but not Mildred Rose. Her image of retirement is children, education, and wholesome meals. For the last four years the former operations manager and cook at Herricks and Alta Bates hospitals in Berkeley, California, has been volunteering her time to prepare healthy meals for the children of Ile Omode (e-lay oh-ma-day), a high-achieving African centered K-8 school in Oakland.
