Wall of Honor: Elizabeth Gilmore
By: Molley MacCrackenPosted: June 21, 2011
Elizabeth Gilmore is currently suffering the ravages of an inoperable brain tumor. Her indominatable spirit and joy of life have kept her presence gracing those of us who love her for over 2 years, as she moves with grace through her illness. In case you haven’t heard, Elizabeth is responsible for the lives of many of our friends and neighbors here in Taos. She founded the Northern New Mexico Midwifery Center in 1983 with Tish Demmin. She has delivered countless numbers of our friends and neighbors -- and, through her love for teaching and educating new midwives, has touched the lives of countless more.
Her passion for implementing the midwifery standard of care into our community and the world began in Martha’s Vineyard, where she found herself pregnant with her first child and unable to find someone to help her have her baby at home. She borrowed obstetrical texts and with a group of friends studied, taught childbirth classes, assisted each other at their own births, and helped parents who were delivering in the hospital. They were taught to recognize problems and when to ask for help from local physicians and nurse midwives.
She and her family moved to New Mexico in 1977, and she quickly became connected to the midwifery movement here. She was instrumental in developing the current licensing and regulation standards mandated by the state. She continued to advocate on the state level for mothers and babies, until her illness no longer allowed her to.
Elizabeth has also been instrumental in developing a standard for midwifery education nationally, founding the National College of Midwifery which educates direct entry midwives. This “college without walls” supports the apprenticeship model of learning, while keeping students and preceptors accountable to an organizing body. She was also a leader in the formation of The Midwifery Education Accreditation Counsel which accredits midwifery education programs around the country.
On a personal note, Elizabeth is the mother of three and grandmother to three. She has been married to her husband Carl for 34 years. She has many loyal and loving friends who are supporting her on her journey with cancer. A group of these people will be walking in her honor at the For the Health of It! 5k Walk and Run this weekend; they are calling themselves “Team Elizabeth.” Many people in our community have been touched by Elizabeth’s passion for mothers and babies. We all thank her and send her our love always.
Share your story on the Wall of Honor, or celebrate the lives of those friends, family and neighbors affected by cancer. Email Rita O'Connell at roconnell@taoshospital.org.
