Library Volunteer Who Helped Young Michael Jordan With Homework Still Serving Community at 80
Library Volunteer Who Helped Young Michael Jordan With Homework Still Serving Community at 80
Some people touch greatness without seeking the spotlight, and in Wilmington, North Carolina, Eleanor Washington is one such person. For over 50 years, she has quietly shaped young minds at the local library, including one tall, skinny boy with big dreams who would go on to become basketball’s greatest legend. Now, at 80 years old, Eleanor continues to serve the community, carrying a profound secret known only to herself.
What follows is a story of how small moments of kindness can change lives forever—both for those who receive help and for those who give it.
A New Beginning in the Library
It was Tuesday, September 5, 1972, when Eleanor Washington parked her old blue Chevy in front of the Wilmington Public Library. It was her first day as a volunteer. The library smelled like books and furniture polish, a scent that always made her feel at home. Miss Glattis, the head librarian, showed her around. “Most kids come after school,” she explained, “some do homework, others just want a quiet place to read, and a few need extra help, but we’re too busy to give it.”
Eleanor nodded, understanding her role: to step in where needed. By 3:00 p.m., children filled the tables, and Eleanor observed their daily routines. A group of girls giggled over magazines, two boys argued about baseball cards, and in the corner, a tall, skinny boy flipped through a sports magazine.
“That’s Michael,” Miss Glattis whispered. “He comes almost every day, but he spends more time looking at basketball pictures than doing his schoolwork.”
Eleanor studied Michael. He was all arms and legs with serious eyes. She watched him glance at the clock and slowly pull out his math papers. “His teacher says he’s falling behind in math,” Miss Glattis added. “His dad works hard at the factory, and his mom has younger kids at home.”
Eleanor remembered her own struggle with math as a child until a neighbor helped her. “I’ll see what I can do,” she said.
The First Connection
Eleanor sat down at Michael’s table and asked, “Mind if I sit here?” The boy shrugged without looking up.
“I’m Mrs. Washington, the new volunteer,” she said. “What are you working on?”
“Multiplication,” Michael mumbled. “It’s boring.”
Eleanor peeked at his paper. The multiplication tables were partially filled with many wrong answers. “I used to think that too,” she said with a smile. “Until I learned it could be like a game.”
Michael looked up, clearly skeptical. “How?”
“What’s your favorite sport?” Eleanor asked.
“Basketball,” Michael answered, sitting up straighter.
“Do you know how they figure out players’ points per game?”
Michael shook his head.
“Division and multiplication,” Eleanor said. “If you can multiply, you can understand the stats of your favorite players better.”
A tiny spark lit in Michael’s eyes. Eleanor smiled, knowing this was the hook.
She made up basketball-themed multiplication problems, and Michael’s understanding of math began to improve. For the next half hour, they worked together, and by the end, Michael had solved almost all of the problems. “You’re good at this,” Eleanor said. “You just needed to see why it matters.”
Michael almost smiled. “My dad says I need good grades if I want to keep playing basketball.”
“Your dad sounds wise,” Eleanor replied. “Good students make good athletes because they know how to work hard.”
The Promise of a Dream
Days passed, and Eleanor continued to help Michael after school. He was dedicated, practicing basketball for hours but also becoming more serious about his schoolwork. Slowly, his grades improved. His determination to be better on the court and in the classroom was evident.
One afternoon, Michael came in looking upset. “Coach picked the starting lineup for our first basketball game,” he said, slumping into a chair. “I’m not on it.”
Eleanor sat beside him. “I’m sorry. Did he say why?”
“I’m too skinny. The other boys are bigger and stronger,” Michael said, staring at his hands. “Maybe my dream is stupid.”
“Michael Jordan,” Eleanor said firmly, “don’t you dare give up so easily.”
“Do you think the great players made every team the first time?”
Michael shook his head, but his frustration was clear.
“They didn’t,” Eleanor continued. “But they kept practicing. They kept improving.”
Michael grumbled, “I already practice all the time.”
“Then practice smarter,” she said. “If you’re smaller, you need to be faster and more skilled. What are you doing to work on that?”
Michael thought for a moment. “I practice shooting a lot.”
“What about dribbling, passing, defense, strategy?”
“I guess I could do more of those things,” Michael admitted.
A Star Is Born
Eleanor helped Michael write letters for college recruitment and guided him through the ups and downs of basketball. He learned not only how to improve his game but also how to handle adversity and setbacks. By the time Michael entered high school, he was no longer the skinny boy he had once been. He had grown into a rising basketball star, and Eleanor saw him transform before her eyes.
One evening, Michael brought her a letter from the University of North Carolina. “Coach says scouts are starting to notice me,” he said. “UNC is my dream school.”
Eleanor smiled. “And how are your grades?”
“B’s this quarter, and an A in math,” Michael said, proudly.
“I’m proud of you,” Eleanor said. “But don’t forget to keep learning. Education is just as important as basketball.”
A Legacy of Learning
Years passed, and Michael Jordan’s fame grew. He achieved greatness, but Eleanor never forgot the skinny boy who had sat in the library, struggling with fractions. She watched with pride as he won championships, but more than that, she saw the man he had become—dedicated, generous, and humble.
In 1999, Eleanor’s work was honored when Michael Jordan’s foundation helped establish “Eleanor’s Learning Labs” in libraries across North Carolina, using her methods to help children connect learning to their personal interests. She was surprised and humbled but proud that her influence had reached so far.
Full Circle
At her 80th birthday celebration, Michael Jordan returned to Wilmington to honor Eleanor. He stood before the gathered crowd and shared how she had helped him when he was just a young boy with big dreams. “I’m here not just to wish Mrs. Washington a happy birthday,” he said, “but to announce something special.” He unveiled a new initiative to expand Eleanor’s work and build learning centers across the state.
For Eleanor, the greatest reward had always been the small victories—seeing her students succeed, knowing she had made a difference.
As the years passed, she continued to teach and volunteer, building an even greater legacy in her community. But now, as she celebrated her 80th birthday, she realized that her true gift had been the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others, to connect learning to the things that mattered most.
And she had done it quietly, without fame or recognition. In that, she was a hero.
The Greatest Lesson
Eleanor’s work continued for years, quietly changing lives in ways that no one else would ever see. But when Michael Jordan, a global icon, came back to honor her, it was clear—her legacy had gone beyond the classroom and the library. It had touched the world in ways that even she couldn’t have imagined.
For Michael, the lesson was clear. Basketball had been his dream, but the true value of life lay in learning, in helping others, and in always remembering where you came from.
Through Eleanor’s wisdom, Michael had learned that greatness wasn’t just about achieving success but about using that success to make a difference, just as she had done for him.
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