Bonnie Brown is the November Volunteer of the Month. She was nominated by Laurie Switzer, Director of Volunteer Programs at the USS Midway Museum.
Bonnie serves as a volunteer Lead Librarian, as well as a docent, at the USS Midway. Library work has been a passion for most of her life. Growing up in a large family of share-croppers in Arkansas, Bonnie was the first woman in her family to graduate from high school. Her father took great pride in this accomplishment and took her to see the Dean of Students at Arkansas State University (ASU), where she was offered admission. He negotiated her tuition through government assistance and a work-study deal that paid 50 cents an hour to work in the library. Bonnie went on to have a 20-year career in the Cubic Corporation engineering library. She then earned a master’s degree and finished her career at the Institute for Defense Analysis. In 2007, six months after retiring, Bonnie learned about the Midway Museum and started volunteering in the library. In 2009, she also became a docent. Bonnie eventually became the Quality Assurance Lead for the cataloging database. Bonnie has made significant contributions to the Midway, including bringing in the practice of library science. She has increased staffing at the library, improved training and management, and expanded the services and practices of this valuable museum resource. As a docent, she is wonderful to work with and is truly appreciated for her generous support. Bonnie is known for being compassionate, dedicated, professional, and generous. She stands out as one of the USS Midway’s outstanding volunteers. Thank you Bonnie, for all that you have contributed to the Midway Museum and to the community!
