b'Lily Ann \'Milla\' Granderson (1916-??) M illa Granson was born a slave in Kentucky.Althoughmostslave owners did not permit their slaves to learn to read or write, Milla\'s master permittedhischildrentoteachher. Shewasanaptpupilwholearned very quickly. WhenMillawasayoungwoman hermasterdiedandshewassold toaslaveownerinMississippiwho senthertoworkinthefieldsofhis plantation.Milla\'sfrailhealthcould not stand the hard work and she soon became ill. She was then sent to work in the kitchen of the master\'s house. Milla decided she would share what little knowledge she had with the other slaves and started a "school." She knew how dangerous this would be because slaves were punished severely for learning to read and write. "School" began in her cabin at eleven o\'clock at night and lasted until midnight. After working hard all day, the slaves would silently slip into Milla\'s cabin at night. They used bundles of pitch pine splinters for light because the windows and door of the cabin hadto be kept tightly sealed. One slave always stood guard to prevent discovery. Each of Milla\'s classes had 12 students, some children and some adults. When Milla had taught them as much as she knew she "graduated" them and started a new class. After they had learned to write, some of the slaves wrote false passes so they could leave the plantation and run away to freedom in the north. Milla taught many slaves to read and write and shared her knowl-edge with all who wanted to learn.BODY OF CHRIST NEWS FEBRUARY 2021 13'