Gates, Philomene, 1918-2009

Philomene "Phil" Asher Gates (formerly known as Philomene Asher) was born on March 19, 1918 in Daytona Beach, Florida. She grew up in Orlando, Florida and after graduating from high school, attended Florida State College for Women in 1934. While a student at FSCW, Gates was active in Even activities, Pi Beta Phi Sorority, and other college organizations, events, and programs. She graduated in 1938 and received her law degree from George Washington University in 1941. Following World War II she and her husband, Samuel Eugene Gates, moved to New York City. Upon being admitted to the Bar of the State of New York she began a long career as a private attorney. In 1990, following the death of her husband in 1979, she published her first book, Suddenly Alone: A Woman's Guide to Widowhood. In 2001 her second book, a memoir entitled, A Soft Rebel Yell: From Grits to Gotham was published. She served as a trustee of the Florida State University Foundation and endowed the Philomene Gates Award for Excellence in Communication at Florida State University, a major communications award to encourage excellence in that field. Mrs. Gates passed away on February 17, 2009.