A pioneer Philadelphia educator and children’s TV host celebrated her 100th birthday

Inside North Hills Country Club, friends and family from all corners of the country gathered at the venue’s Fairway Room.

At the center lay the queen of the hour, Willadine Bain, who celebrated her 100th birthday on Saturday at the Glenside club.

Bain, adorning a gold and white pantsuit and tiara, said she was honored to see beloved friends and family who traveled from as far as Hawaii to witness her milestone. “I feel really special,” Bain said. “I hope that I’ve helped people.”

If nothing else, Saturday’s celebration was proof of Bain’s impact as a teacher and leader in early childhood education.

Born on May 22, 1926, Bain grew up in the Mt. Airy area and later attended Howard University. After graduating from Howard, she taught English at various junior high schools in Philadelphia.

She was later recruited in the 1960s to host educational TV programs for children, becoming the first Black woman in Philadelphia to do so.

Bain was the face of three educational programs, including Story Corner, Books in Action, and Three, Four Open the Door, which aired on stations then-known as Channels 3 and 12.

After 33 years with the School District of Philadelphia, Bain became the curriculum specialist, and later retired as the district’s assistant director of Reading, English, Language Arts under former superintendent Constance Clayton.

Her decades-long commitment helped shape early education programming and curriculum throughout the region.

Saturday’s luncheon was filled with her family, friends, and past students, who greeted Bain with smiles on their faces and gratitudes in their hearts.

“I’m surprised they would spend money and time to say, ‘Hello,’” Bain said with a grin. “I’m delighted that my daughter feels I’m important enough to have these people spend a day with me. That’s really important to me.”

But Bain’s daughter Carolie Barksdale, recognizing the extent of her mother’s impact, wasn’t shocked in the slightest.

“It was fun for me to contact and reconnect with people from various eras,” Barksdale said. “I’m just glad that we were able to put our friends and extended family together on this day.”

Bain’s grandson Greg Barksdale Jr. said it was great to see people from all stages of his grandmother’s life, especially for an occasion like this one.

“She’s touched so many people – too many people," he said. “It feels good to see everyone here to support.”

Bain’s goddaughter Pamela Norris, who traveled from Maui, Hawaii, to celebrate her birthday, said she wouldn’t miss this moment for the world.

Norris said Bain, who was roommates with her late mother at Howard, has truly been a second maternal figure to her, and one who still inspires her today.

“I love her as any mother I could ever have,” Norris said. “Family is everything, and I would go to the ends of the world for my godmother. I would’ve never missed this.”

Rev. Charles Quann of Bethlehem Baptist Church, which Bain has long attended, said the celebration was reflective of the trails she’s blazed and the values she’s instilled in others.

“The fact people traveled here in these particularly difficult times to celebrate her is just a testimony to her faith and to her love and commitment,” Quann said. “I’m just grateful to God to be able to be here and share that as well.”

Along with hugs and shared laughs, guests enjoyed food, drinks, and live music.

There was also a TV display that showed images of Bain from early childhood to her days in television.

Barksdale said the images were drawn from 20 photo albums, and she spent two days hand-selecting which ones to show for the celebration.

The gathering ended with “Happy Birthday” cheers, slices of cake, and an open stage for anyone willing to share their favorite stories or moments with Bain.

There was no shortage of praise for Bain, who can now say for the last century, her impact has been felt by many.