Gloria Willson
Assistant Programs Director, Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library
As a member of the CUIMC Latinx Employee Resource Group, Gloria Willson is passionate not only about honoring her native Chilean culture but also about celebrating all of the cultures within the Latinx diaspora.
Pursuing a Career in Health Sciences
As a young adult, I aspired to become a doctor or other type of health professional. My great-grandfather in Chile was an otolaryngologist, my aunt was a pediatric physician, and my mother is a public health nurse who has worked for the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene for more than 30 years. Clearly, my family was an influence in my interest in medicine and public health!
My first library job was with the New York Public Library, as a librarian trainee specializing in Young Adult services. While working there, I applied for the opportunity to pursue the master of library and information science degree. I then developed an appreciation for the world of information–how to find, evaluate, and synthesize it for knowledge creation. I also learned that I loved teaching and developing educational programs. My career has let me explore and further develop these interests. My time at CUIMC has provided me with the opportunity to work with people conducting amazing work and research in the medical and public health field.
Celebrating Her Heritage
As a Chilean-American, I am proud of the Chilean culture–the beauty and the warmth of the people. Chileans are a very social people and have a great sense of community. I grew up seeing family members host family and friends over for dinner, wine and enjoy singing, dancing and good conversations. Chileans are also proud of the beauty of the country with its different climates, geography, and amazing constellated skies. When I started working at CUIMC I was happy to learn one of the Columbia Global Centers is located in Santiago, Chile.
I usually gather with close family members for Chilean Independence Day (September 18). We listen and dance to cuecas (folkloric courtship dance), eat empanadas made with beef, cheese, or seafood, and drink Chilean wine. Both my parents and I were born in Chile. My three daughters have a mix of Chilean, Dominican, and Puerto Rican heritage. We believe it is important to acknowledge and celebrate not just these cultures but the entire Latinx diaspora.
Inspiring Others
As a first-generation immigrant, my family has worked extremely hard and made many sacrifices to come to the United States from Chile. My mother always encouraged my sister and me to pursue our education and to become independent women. When I was 15 years old, she enrolled in college and was determined to finish her education.
My three daughters motivate me to be the best woman and mother I can be. I am also very aware that I am an example for them. I love the work that I do and they realize how important my work is to me as well as how it is a part of my overall identity. I am very proud of them just as they are very proud of me. I also belong to an amazing network of women joined together for a common purpose, which includes supporting each other in furthering our education and advancing our careers. I am an active member of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc., the first Latina social and academic sorority in the United States.
Supporting CUIMC during the Pandemic
Although the physical library was closed at the height of the pandemic, we were able to continue to provide access to information resources and research support with information services. With the emphasis on research and scholarship, it was more important than ever to support the CUIMC community in their research dissemination and publication efforts.
I am proud of our ability to adapt quickly to changes in our processes and workflows. We were able to transition to a fully remote work environment and sustain most of our information services. We also promoted our educational programs and maintained visibility in a virtual environment.