'Mrs. Milltown': Gloria Bradford, Milltown's first woman in politics, dies at 87
MILLTOWN – Gloria M. Bradford, the first woman in borough government, died Saturday at age 87.
A lifelong borough resident, Bradford was a champion of women advancement and her hometown. Affectionately known as "Mrs. Milltown," she motivated many to become involved in politics and organizations that supported the borough.
Bradford was the longest-serving mayor in borough history. She held the distinction of being the first woman elected to the Borough Council in 1997 and then, the first elected as mayor in 1999. She served 13 years.
Her run in the 90s was not Bradford's first attempt to break into politics in the borough. She initially ran for a council seat in the 1960s. Bradford had said the path was not a smooth one for women, but she persevered.
In June 2016, Borough Park was renamed Gloria Bradford Borough Park in her honor. At the event dedicating the park, Bradford said she was "amazed and proud of the changes that Milltown women" made to the community.
"Women today have joined the field of helping and fighting and running the government," Bradford said in 2016. "I never got too discouraged because I knew there was a place for all of us in the political field. It wasn’t easy to stay on, but somehow my picture made it into the Milltown history books."
The daughter of Jack and Hazel DeHart, and wife to Addison R. Bradford, was born on May 12, 1934. She raised her children, Diane and Alan, in the borough. Active in her community, Bradford was the president and chaplain of the Milltown Fire Department Auxiliary, a member of the Joyce Kilmer American Legion Post 25 Auxiliary and the Destroyer Escorts Auxiliary.
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According to her obituary, Bradford's love for children and church was shown in her activities. She was a familiar sight in the schools – talking, reading and helping with projects. Bradford was president of the Milltown Parent Teacher Association and the recipient of the Distinguished Service to Education Award as well as a Girl Scout leader and Cub Scout den mother. Bradford was a member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, where she served as a Sunday school teacher, president of the church consistory and as a lay leader.
She enjoyed public speaking, motivational speaking and preaching sermons.
Bradford was employed as executive secretary to Mike Hayes at Johnson & Johnson and was awarded the J&J Sales and Logistics Company Vision Award in 1996. It was after her retirement that Bradford became involved in borough politics.
In addition to her roles on the Borough Council, Bradford also was a member of the Milltown Planning Board and Redevelopment Committee. She served as vice president of the New Jersey Tercentenary Celebration and was awarded the New Jersey Tercentenary Outstanding Citizen Award.
During her tenure as mayor, Bradford served on the board of directors of the New Jersey Mayors Association and was a member of the Middlesex County Mayors Association.
Predeceased by her parents, husband and brother Donald DeHart, Bradford is survived by her sister Ruth Seiple, daughter and son-in-law Diane and Keith Salkeld, son and daughter-in-law Alan and Nancy Bradford, grandchildren Jennifer Kardos, Meagan Bradford and Justin Bradford, great-granddaughter Sienna, special family friend Bunny McGaughley and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Family and friends will be received 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Bronson and Guthlein Funeral Home. The funeral service will be celebrated 10 a.m. Friday at St. Paul’s Church followed by burial at Van Liew Cemetery in North Brunswick.
In lieu of flowers, and according to Bradford's wishes, contributions and donations may be made to the Milltown Fire Department and Milltown Rescue Squad.
Email: cmakin@gannettnj.com
Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: Cmakin@gannettnj.com or @CherylMakin.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Milltown NJ: Gloria Bradford, first woman in politics, dies
