Mildred Smith

Veteran’s Ambassador

&

Community Garden Manager

A resident of Lake Worth, FL, Mildred spent ten years in the US Army before pursuing a 35 year career in Social Work. She holds a bachelor’s in social work and a master’s in organizational management. She has worked for Catholic Community Services, The American Red Cross, Seattle Crisis Clinic and Compass Gay and Lesbian Community Center. Mildred’s strong ethic of service and passion for life-long learning has taken her around the country and across the globe having served in both Southeast Asia and the European Theater. 

In 2012, Mildred founded Empty Closet Women’s Theater and for six years it provided a forum for women to explore, develop, and share their creativity. She wrote, produced, and staged original plays written for and by women.

Mildred has been a part of HERD Foundation since 2019, first taking part in the Freedom Patch program. Prior to coming to the HERD Foundation she had spent the latter part of 2018 learning about and working with horses at another local program where, in own words she had her first, “Up close and personal experience with horses.” Her relationship with and knowledge of horses and natural horsemanship has continued to grow with HERD. 

In early 2021 Mildred was asked to develop and manage Chomping at the Bit, the HERD Foundation’s community garden. Wanting to give back even more she traveled to Nevada in November of 2021 to take part in a Masterson Method training. She now provides Masterson Method of body work care to the HERD horses. 

In her capacity as Veterans’ Ambassador Mildred gives her time to work with the Foundation in creating and providing services and outreach to our veterans.