Milton, Gladys (1924–1999)
Milton, Gladys (1924–1999)
African-American midwife. Name variations: Gladys Nichols. Born May 26, 1924, in Caney Creek, FL; died June 17, 1999, in Flowersview, FL; dau. of Lillie Mae (Anderson) Nichols and Lonnie Nichols; m. Huey Milton (former classmate); children: (out of wedlock) 2; (2nd m.) 5.
Esteemed midwife, trained at the Florala Medical and Surgical Clinic; received a state of Florida midwifery license (Oct 1959); attended home births for 17 years in Covington County (AL) and in Walton and Okaloosa Counties (FL); attended to 3,000 births during career; was involved in an ongoing debate about who could practice midwifery, especially after the passage of the 1984 Midwifery Practice Act in the state of FL, making it difficult to become legally qualified.
See also autobiography, Why Not Me? (1993).