Vivian Bailey
Mrs. Bailey made a tremendous impact on the county and the college through her enduring generosity and tireless advocacy
Until her passing in November of 2022, Vivian “Millie” Bailey lived a life filled with service and adventure. The former Columbia philanthropist and Army first lieutenant commanded an all-female detachment in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps during World War II.
After she was honorably discharged in 1946, she continued to support the military by assembling care packages for troops serving in the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm. She served on several state and local boards, and in 2020, went skydiving for the first time. But even with all of these life experiences, she was “shocked’ to learn how many Howard Community College (HCC) students were food insecure.
It was while attending a Community Foundation of Howard County dinner in 2013 when the president and CEO said there were some students at HCC who had trouble studying because they were hungry. At the time Bailey commented that is seemed ridiculous in a county like Howard County that students trying to earn an education didn’t have food.
Shortly after, Bailey made her first donation to the college’s food voucher program, which enables food insecure students to get free meals in the HCC cafeteria and continued to support the program until her passing. Her 2020 gift created the Vivian “Millie” Bailey and William Harrison Bailey Endowment to support the food pantry. Previously in 2018, HCC’s Board of Trustees awarded Bailey with the Senator James Clark, Jr. Medal. The medal recognizes individuals who are committed to service and philanthropy in Howard County and whose passion and achievements emulate the values held by Senator Clark, described as “unparalleled integrity and honesty, love of land, and love of country.”
“Mrs. Bailey made a tremendous impact on the county and the college through her enduring generosity and tireless advocacy,” said Missy Mattey, executive director, HCC Educational Foundation. “We are incredibly grateful for her heartfelt gifts and passion for addressing food insecurity with our students. She will be deeply missed.”
Bailey hoped to inspire others to give to the college, which provides multiple pathways for students’ success.