Mildred Othmer Peterson

Background

Peterson, Mildred Othmer was born on October 19, 1902 in Omaha. Daughter of Frederick George and Freda Darling (Snyder) Othmer.

Education

Student, University Iowa, 1919. Student, University Nebraska, 1923. Student, Northwestern University, 1935.

Student, University Chicago, 1943. Student, American University Switzerland, 1985.

Career

Assistant purchasing agent, Metropolitan Utilities District, 1920-1921; assistant, U. Nebraska Library, 1921-1923; teacher piano, director choir, Harlan, Iowa., 1924-1926; director public relations and general assistant, Des Moines Public Library, 1928-1935; broadcaster weekly book programs, Station World Health Organization, Des Moines broadcaster weekly book programs, and other Iowa radio stations columnist, writer, Mid-West News Syndicate, Des Moines Register and Tribune editor, Book Marks, 1929-1935; writer for, Drug Topics, Drug Trade News, others, Northern Illinois, 1935; writer, special assistant, American Library Association, Chicago, 1935-1959; writer, special assistant, Chicago Tribune, since 1941; travel writer, Hyde Park Herald, since 1974; lecturer, Steamship. Rotterdam of Holland American Line, 1971; lecturer tours, United States, Canada, Mexico, since 1970. International lecturer on travel, foreign jewelry and international relations, since 1940.

Guest lecturer on Golden Odyssey Ship Royal Cruise Line to Orient, world trip with Purdue University Alumni, February-March, 1988. Delegate 1st Assembly Librarians Americans, Washington, 1947.

Achievements

• Mildred Othmer Peterson has been listed as a notable Civic leader, lecturer, writer, librarian by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership

Chairman India Famine Relief, 1943. A founder Pan American Council, 1939, vice president, 1982-1986, numerous other committees. Founder, past president Pan American Board Education, 1955-1958, International Visitors Center, 1952-1956, a founder, 1st president and honorary life director, 1986.

Representative Chicago at State Department Conference on Community Services to Foreign Visitors. A founder COSERV (National Council Community Services to International Visitors), Washington, 1957. Member executive board, awards committee Mayor's Committee on Chicago Beautiful.

Member Illinois Governor's Committee on Partners of The Americans, São Paulo, Brazil and Illinois sister states. Member United States Department State conference for Partners of America, Dominican Republic, 1985, Little Rock, 1986, Jamaica, 1987 (Superior Service award 1987), Miami Beach, Florida, 1988. Member chancellor's committee University Nebraska, conference committee University Chicago, 1990.

Former board directors council, troop leader Girl Scouts United States, Council Bluffs, Iowa, 1926-1928. Member Women's Society, council, stewardship and mission boards Hyde Park Union Church, also 75th, 100th and 110th anniversary committees. Board directors Young Women’s Christian Association, Chicago Lung Association.

Women's board Camp Brueckner-Farr, Graduate Baptist Student Center. Member executive council Friends of Station Window To The World-television. Chairwoman Hyde Park Christmas Seals Campaign, 1985-1986, 87-88 (Outstanding Service award 1987).

Board directors Maridian Hospice. Member centennial committee University Chicago Service League, 1995. Member benefit committee Chicago Service League, 1995, member music and travel sections.

Vice president University Chicago International House Association. Member Vista Homes Garden Association, Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago Art Institute. Fellow American International Academy (life member).

Member National Council Women United States, Chicago Council for United States of America-Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics Friendship (member Leaders Tour of China 1990), English Speaking Union, Japan-American Committee, United States-China Friendship Association (board directors since 1987, Volunteer award 1990), International House Association (vice president), Pan-American Board Education (founder, president, Merit award), United States Capitol History Society, Illinois History Society, Nebraska History Society, Chicago History Society, Hyde Park History Society (charter member award 1978), Field Museum Natural History, Museum of Science and Industry, Lincoln Park Zoological Society, Citizenship Council Metropolitan Chicago, Oriental Institute, American Heritage Council, American Library Association, Illinois Library. Association (local arrangements committee of national conference 1976, 78, 85, 95), International Federation Library. Associations (local arrangements committee 1985 Chicago), Society Woman Geographers (president Chicago chapter, vice president international council since 1987), Council Foreign Relations (speakers bureau), National Association Travel Officials (Chicago Tribune representative), Library International Relations (ball committee since 1969), University Nebraska Alumni Association (past president Des Moines, Rockford and Chicago chapters), University Nebraska Foundation, University Chicago International House Association (vice president since 1976), Art Institute Chicago, University Chicago Service League (past board member, now board directors Camp Brueckner-Farr Auxiliary), American Legion Auxiliary (member state boards Iowa and Illinois), American Association of University Women, League of Women Voters, Children's Benefit League, Woman's Board United Negro College Fund, Renaissance Society, Peruvian Arts Society, Hispanic Society Chicago, Chicago Academy of Sciences (woman's board), Chicago Chamber Orchestra Association, John G. Shedd Society, Japan American Society, Friends Chicago Public Library, Chicago Symphony Society, Citizens Greater Chicago, Foundation for Illinois Archaeology, Cook County Hospital Auxiliary, Lyric Opera Guild, Crossroads Student Center, International Platform Association, Executive Service Corps Chicago, Friends of Grant Park Concerts, Chicago Council for United States of America-Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics, Friendship University Illinois, Chicago International Programs, Friends of Parks, Friends of Downtown, Friends of Chicago River, Metropolitan Planning Council, Chicago Architecture Foundation, Landmarks Presrvation Council, Open Lands Project, Women in Arts (charter member Washington chapter), Geographic Society Chicago, Alpha Delta Pi (past president Omaha, Des Moines and Chicago alumnae chapters, editor Adephean 1938-1939, woman of year award United States and Canada 1955), Xi Delta.

Clubs: Member Order Eastern Star, South Shore Country, College, Quadrangle, Illinois Athletic, University of Chicago Dames, Iowa Authors, Lakeside Lawn Bowling, Hyde Park Neighborhood, Travellers Century (World's Most Travelled Person plaque 1993).

Connections

Married Howard R. Peterson, August 25, 1923 (deceased February 9, 1970).

Father:

Frederick George Othmer

Mother:

Freda Darling (Snyder) Othmer

Spouse:

Howard R. Peterson