GAIL WHITE Energetic 81-year-old keeps up her end of the bargain

In all of Minnie Andrews' 81 years, I don't believe she has ever sat down once.
Even as we talked in her Brownlee Woods home in Youngstown, Minnie was on the edge of her seat with one leg outstretched as if at any moment she might pounce into action.
When she greeted me at the door of her home, I told her she looked familiar to me. I imagine a lot of people say that to Minnie. She simply has an endearing, welcoming, warm appeal that is reminiscent of someone special you have known.
To say Minnie is 5 feet tall might be exaggerating by an inch or two. But her small build is packed with a lot of might and she uses every ounce of it -- every minute of everyday.
I called Minnie to interview her about a wonderful recognition she received recently: Woman of the Year for Achievement in Education. Indeed, this Athena Award is one of the greatest honors a woman can achieve in our community. During our phone conversation, I learned that it was not the first time Minnie had been nominated for the award. It was also not the first time she had been named Woman of the Year by an organization.
Her promise to God
While I marveled at this woman's accomplishments, something she said during our short phone conversation setting up a time to interview struck me as I thought about the many things I wanted to ask this extraordinary woman.
"I had heart surgery," Minnie explained to me over the phone. "I didn't think I was going to make it. I had a terrible time afterward." (Minnie had to "sit down" for three months!)
"I promised God, if I got better, I would dedicate my life to serving him and children," Minnie told me.
I found two things unusual about Minnie's plea. First, a lot of people make promises to the Almighty when they find themselves at death's door. Very few follow through with those promises.
Second, from everything I already knew about Minnie, she had lived her entire life dedicated to God and children.
When her children were little, she taught CCD at her church. From the time her oldest daughter was in school, Minnie was involved with the PTA. She remained involved beyond when the youngest son graduated.
In the meantime, Minnie expanded her service to children by becoming a teacher. At 40, she went to college. For 33 years she taught in the Youngstown public school system and local parochial schools.
"Every year, I had a picnic for my class," Minnie shares some of her fond memories. "They would come to my house, and I would set up tables and chairs in the back yard."
She was that kind of teacher. If the class were studying about Hawaii, Minnie would have a luau. Once, Minnie created a unit on racism and wrote a play that was performed throughout the district.
Getting serious
But all of this wasn't considered full dedication to this small but mighty ball of fire. Maybe it was the three months she spent "sitting" around, recuperating she must have been ready to explode like a shaken up pop bottle. Maybe it was a legacy reality check. Whatever the motivation, after her heart surgery in 1990, Minnie decided it was time to get serious about serving.
"My church was looking for an activities director," Minnie explains. That was one way to fulfill her promise about serving God. It was in this position that Minnie asked the provocative question, "If we only have 10 kids, why not open the doors and let the kids on the street come in?" Why not, indeed.
She was asked to be the scholarship chairman for a school. Money for higher education is a great way to serve children, thus fulfilling the second half of her promise. "I wanted to raise more funds to give more scholarships," Minnie said. And so she did. Now she is the chairman for five scholarship funds.
Her days as a teacher are over, but Minnie has aspired to a greater title, "Special Helps." At least once a week, Minnie can be found at Cleveland Elementary School in her daughter-in-law's classroom, helping with a project or unit event.
On weekends, her service does not end. She has many baking lessons to share with her grandson.
"I promised... I would dedicate my life to serving him and children," Minnie promised all those years ago.
"Well done," I believe she will hear from her maker. "You have run the good race. ..."
Heaven knows, she never slowed down but once!
gwhite@vindy.com