I Am Wilshire – Gladys Kolenovsky.
Hometown: Abilene.
Education: Baylor Univ., BA in speech-language pathology; Univ. of Denver, master’s degree.
Profession: Recently retired after 44 years as director of the Luke Waites Center for Dyslexia at Scottish Rite for Children.
Present city: Dallas.
Tell us about your family.
My family gave me a wonderful faith foundation and opportunity to develop my own faith. Bobby and I met at Baylor and are about to celebrate our 48th anniversary. We love being retired together and are Uncle Bobby and Aunt Glady to many!
How about your work or volunteer life?
My calling to work with children with dyslexia kept me at Scottish Rite for four decades. When I began, dyslexia was not recognized or treated in public schools. Because of the hospital’s pioneering leadership in dyslexia, I had the opportunity to work with the Texas Legislature and State Board of Education to bring the science of identification and treatment of dyslexia to schools. I continue to volunteer with a college scholarship program for former hospital patients.
What are your favorite hobbies?
Flyfishing and skiing — and I make really good pickles.
What is your favorite place to travel?
We love to fish in Montana, New Mexico and Utah, ski in Colorado and enjoy Texas wildlife and rivers in Uvalde.
What brought you to Wilshire and when?
I first met Pastor Bruce McIver at Wilshire in 1972 when he not only performed the wedding of my friend Mitzi Watson Bass (Carolyn Murray’s aunt) but also calmed the wedding party when the chancel greenery caught fire. I joined Wilshire in 1982 after several years trying to be anything BUT a Baptist.
Where are you engaged at Wilshire?
I teach in Cord of Three Class, am the incoming Deacon chair and am involved with Pathways to Ministry, Women of Wilshire, stewardship initiatives, the Funeral Ministry Team and missions and advocacy activities.
What’s surprised you most about Wilshire?
In this year of leadership transition, there was no pause in the engaging opportunities for worship and service, learning and giving. Our pastors and staff have been elite in their leadership, creativity and energy to encourage engagement and preparation for change. As we welcome Timothy and Valerie and together begin this new chapter in the story of Wilshire, I am anticipating the amazing surprises God has in store for us.
What do you think God is up to in your life right now?
God has walked with me through the transition of retirement, slowing me down to do some transformative work within me and prepare me for the exciting journey ahead.
If you are interested in being featured in an upcoming I Am Wilshire article, contact Carolyn Murray