Meet the two visionaries who started the Gary Historical & Cultural Society Inc.
Dharathula H. (Dolly) Hood Millender (above left) spent much of her life to the preservation of Gary’s illustrious history; she was Gary’s historian. Ms. Millender earned a bachelor degree from Indiana State in Terre Haute and master degree from Purdue U. in Lafayette and began a long distinguished professional career. Upon moving to Gary In 1960, Mrs. Millender became the Pulaski School librarian. She recognized the rich history of Gary’s Central Community and wrote two books to tell its history. She founded the Gary Historical and Cultural Society (GHCS) in 1976 and became involved in numerous cultural, historical and civic activities. Mrs. Millender founded the Gary Writer’s Conference to offer free workshops to community writers and poets and became a strong advocate for the rebirth of Gary’s Symphony. In 1984 she and a group of volunteers became the “Care Takers of Gary’s first building, the Gary Land Company Building” in downtown Gary. She was always invited to share Gary’s history throughout the region and was the recipient of numerous awards in recognition for her work in preserving Gary’s history. While we cannot list her many awards and affiliations, we can be sure that her rich legacy will live on forever and make us better by knowing our unique history. Her life-long motto is: "The joy of living is the joy of giving service."
Naomi Millender (above right) was an accomplished cellist of national and international fame and director of GHCH’s enrichment programs for low-to-moderate income children in Gary where they are taught all the musical instruments, art, creative writing, life skills such as anger management and social decorum, math, reading enrichment, and more. She also performed with and managed the Gary (IN) Civic Symphony Orchestra. Naomi was a writer and directed a small education publishing company that published children’s materials for cultural upliftment and enrichment. In September 2013, Naomi, along with her mother, niece and nephew, Christine and Isaac III and various other GHCS advisory board members, began broadcasting a radio program on AM 1370 WLTH radio station in Gary, called “Telling Our Gary Stories”. Her love for the arts will continue to enrich the lives of children and adults throughout this great city and region.