"It is better to give than to receive". This is the motto that guides the life of Mrs. Beulah Braden for whom Braden Park will be dedicated on July 4 at 3:00 PM. Located at the corner of East Main Street and Butler Boulevard, Braden Park will contain playground equipment to serve the child-ren of Wilmore for whom Mrs. Braden has dedicated her life.
Beulah "Boots" Braden was the fourth child born to Robert and Virginia Poor of Garrard County. At the age of three months, the family moved to a farm on Handy's Bend Road in Jessamine County. It was not long before the family moved again to a farm at the corner of US 68 and KY 33 where Mrs. Braden acquired her nickname "Boots" as a result of walking across a creek in red boots to attend the one-room Pekin School from grades one through three.
Mrs. Braden attended the Wilmore Elemen-tary School from fourth grade through graduation from high school. Miss Kate Ashford, teacher and mentor, inspired Mrs. Braden to choose a career in teaching. Miss Ashford's advice was to "hitch your wagon to a star and don't stop until you reach it". Mrs. Braden loved to ride horses and found herself either riding her pony or walking to school in those early years. She continued her education graduating from Asbury College and then receiving her Masters Degree from the University of Kentucky.
Mrs. Braden began her distinguished teaching career at the McLean one-room school on Handy's Bend Road in 1936 teaching grades one through eight. She then taught first and second grade at High Bridge for two years. Mrs. Braden then moved to the Wilmore Elementary School and taught second grade for 42 years retiring in 1981, altogether teaching 1609 children. In a tribute to Mrs. Braden upon her retirement Principal Dan Glass praised her as a "teacher of fundamentals, teaching pupils to respect authority in the form of good manners, moral and spiritual values were a part of her everyday schedule".
Mrs. Braden recalls the differences between teaching now and in those early years. When she began teaching at Wilmore she had 52 students in her class. Also the children never ceased to surprise her. Many times an unexpected guest would arrive for class such as the time a child brought a banty hen to school for which she made a pen and kept it for a few days.
"In those days", Mrs. Braden comments, children came to school to learn and parents were willing to be a part of their children's education." "We taught the children discipline and good manners."
Mrs. Braden’s niece and colleague, Mrs. June Lowry said of her Aunt Boots, "She was always concerned about people, she takes their needs to her heart and is always ready to help". "She was a leader among teachers."
Beulah Poor married Frank Braden and had one son, George Milton who retired from the Jessamine County school system as well. Since her husband's death in 1982, Mrs. Braden has been devoting her life to the citizens of Wilmore. In 1984, Mayor Rainwater named her Wilmore's
Outstanding Volunteer. Mrs. Braden spends each morning volunteering at the Wilmore Day Care Center meeting the needs of the staff and children. Also she has been active with Meals on Wheels and the Veterans Nursing Home.
Mrs. Braden attends the Wilmore Presbyterian Church where she has taught Sunday School and presently serves as Elder. She lives in the Braden homeplace at 716 East Main Street.
When asked about her feelings for Wilmore, Mrs. Braden says enthusiastically, "It's home, I've always felt safe here". "I have good friends and neighbors and love the people." The City of Wilmore honors Mrs. Beulah "Boots" Braden with the dedication of Braden Park for the many ways she has shown her love to all of us.
--Councilman Bill Glover