Published by the Goodman Community Center
News
Volume 143, No. 1 January l February 2013
Drawn to a place of need
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My life-changing journey 30 years in the making
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By Gloria Pofahl-Pangman, Community resident
One day, 30 years ago, started off as an ordinary day — with a cup of coffee and the newspaper before heading off to work. But that day, one news story caught my eye like no other. The article was about Sister Anne Eucharista Brooks, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, in Tutwiler, Miss. I’m not a religious person but this nun’s story hit me hard and ended up adding an important chapter to my life. Sister Anne decided to become a nun at age 11. An only child of divorced parents, attending boarding schools, she became crippled with rheumatoid arthritis at 17 and was told she would be in a wheelchair or need crutches for the rest of her life. But she didn’t let that stop her. Years later, while volunteering at a free clinic in Florida, she met Dr. John Upledger, who was able to heal her. At his encouragement and that of another doctor, she decided to go to medical school so she could continue helping people not only spiritually, but physically. So, in her 40s, Sister Anne became a doctor, Dr. Brooks. Being a nun, she didn’t have money for school, so to pay back medical school tuition, she made a commitment to work in an impoverished community for three years. She ended up in a small clinic in Tutwiler, a town of about 1,300 people in Mississippi. She stayed those three years. And more. In fact, she never left.
What’s a woman to do? Weeks after reading that article, I was still thinking of this incredible Dr. Brooks, a nun who made a difference through her entire life, so I wrote her a letter simply asking, “What can someone like me do?” A week later, I received her reply. What struck me was that instead of being in the moment of my “singing her praises,” she
See the Strength of Community This paper goes to See people press well before tell their the New Year’s stories parties begin, so about the there’s still time Goodman for you to see Community Center some videos that show how the Goodman Community Center has helped children, teens and older adults over the past year. Find us on Facebook. And, if you’re inspired, make a gift. We’d be grateful. See all videos at www.goodmancenter.org
O’Keeffe learns from Warhol Gloria Pofahl-Pangman with Sister Anne Eucharista Brooks, D.O. at Tutwiler Clinic in Mississippi. got right to the point and answered my question. She wrote, “Well, doctors often have samples they don’t need. Also, dentists usually have extra toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss. We can always use supplements, samples and supplies.” That’s all it took. Off I went with copies of the newspaper article and her letter. And, voila! Donations were made and packages were sent. Now, I’m pretty sure 30 years ago it was much easier to simply go to doctors and dentists to fulfill these wishes. Maybe another letter or two between us, and that was it. I started thinking of her affectionately as “my nun.” The lasting effect, however, was how her kindness and selflessness impressed me. Who does that — stays in an impoverished community by choice?
Passing it on I believe my connection with Dr. Brooks was meant to be — there are no co-incidences. Oh, I am clear, I will never make the difference she has — I am not selfless — but it started long ago, with that first article. That’s when I first deeply understood: I can do something. Believe me; I don’t want to “toot my own horn.” I’m sharing my story in hopes that a spark might be created in another person to do the same. Thanks to “my nun,” I started volunteering, too. Once a week, on my day off, I started volunteering at the Free Clothing Center which was a block from my work. As I sorted through bags of donated clothes, I often listened to a husband or wife — Continued on page 4
Some teens rise above the most difficult of circumstances Desmond Willingham is a teen who will tell you he found resources and support at the Goodman Community Center. We found a young man very ready to be helped — and to help. Article on page 7
The paintings of 200 O’Keeffe Middle School students will feature tomato soup cans a la Andy Warhol this January in the Goodman Gallery. Come see these first efforts with acrylic paint and fresh approaches to capturing a can of soup on a canvas. Check out the cool philanthropic twist, too. Article on page 23
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