|
Thirty years ago, while teaching at Virginia Tech, I formed a treasured friendship with Bernice and Ed Born. We stayed in touch through the years. Several years ago, Ed passed away. His loss was a tragedy, he was a remarkable man. And, Bernice is a remarkable woman. She has volunteered for many causes through the years, and now she has volunteered to serve as WiRED’s lead Website editor; what a gift to this organization. We asked Bernice to provide a few lines about herself, and, reluctantly, she offered the following modest account. —Gary Selnow
 The magic began the summer I met Ed Born at the University of Michigan. Instant chemistry! Love at first sight! We made plans for a life together ending hunger, eliminating poverty, curing cancer and bringing world peace. Then, surprise! A year after we married we had an adorable baby girl. A year later, another darling girl. We decided that since we weren’t meant to save the whole world, we could save at least one child, so we adopted a baby boy. All three kids have been a joy.
Before I had children I taught high school and junior high English and journalism. As the children grew, I worked as a secretary at Virginia Tech, and then for the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Pittsburgh. I became a certified Literacy Volunteer, taught English as a second language, and prepared adults for GED high school exams. When Ed taught and did graduate work at the University of Pittsburgh, I edited and proofread papers for his international classmates and colleagues. I enjoy playing with words and sprinkling commas on a page.
I met Gary when Ed, Gary and I all worked at Virginia Tech. Gary is my hero, doing the kind of work that Ed and I cared about. Unfortunately, Ed’s life was cut short by ALS, but Gary and the WiRED staff are fulfilling our original dream by bringing education and health care to people in remote regions. I consider it a privilege to serve the organization.
When not editing materials for WiRED, Bernice enjoys spending time with her five granddaughters and two granddogs.
|
