Stop the hate.
This is Lillian Glass’ message for the world. Recently crowned Senior Miss World International, the 1974 Bradley alumna has the platform to make a difference. But first, she wants to know–
“Will it play in Peoria?”
This famous question dates back to the vaudeville era, when it was believed that if an act received good reviews in Peoria, it would do well nationwide.
Glass played in Peoria herself, studying speech pathology as an undergraduate at Bradley. Fifty-two years later, homecoming week brought her back to a campus that has undergone great change – much of which she credits to the university’s current leadership.
“[President Shadid] has absolutely made this campus, in the short time that he’s been here, the most incredible place you could imagine,” Glass said. “Physically, it’s gorgeous – the flowers, the plants, the seating arrangements, the welcoming atmosphere. You don’t even have to leave the campus to do anything; it’s all here.”
“He’s so approachable, that’s another thing,” Glass added. “When I went to Bradley, you know, if you saw the president, you ran the other way.”
Despite noting changes for the better, Glass spoke fondly of her time as a student, characterized by frequent trips to Avanti’s and professors encouraging her to pursue her dreams.
Glass valued her social experiences at Bradley, finding them to be nearly as educational as her courses.
“I learned about human interaction,” she said. “You’ve got to date, you’ve got to go out, you’ve got to meet people. Sometimes, you’ll fall on your face; sometimes, you’ll pick yourself up; sometimes, you’ll cry … and sometimes, you’ll laugh, but you get involved and you experience things.”
This interest in human interaction became more than observations in passing. Glass went on to study at the University of Michigan and the University of Minnesota post-grad before completing her postdoctoral training at UCLA School of Medicine.
Today, she is known as an expert in body language. At her private practice in Beverly Hills, Glass has trained countless people – performers, politicians and athletes – to be masters of their own voices and bodies. On her list of high-profile clientele, Dustin Hoffman, Dolly Parton and Sean Connery are just a few.
By working with public figures, Glass acquired the unique ability to see her work immortalized in art.
“It’s the most touching feeling,” she shared. “You feel like you’re a parent, and you’ve really achieved helping your child be the best they can be.”
Glass even coached Marlee Matlin, preparing the deaf actress for the Academy Awards. When Matlin presented the award for Best Actor, she spoke the nominees’ names aloud.
This moment stands out as a particularly moving memory in Glass’ career. Still, the body language expert went on to produce increasingly personal projects.
A storyteller in many forms, Glass has written several books on human behavior, communication and body language. But one story in particular inspired her to work in a new medium.
Her mother’s story – the inspiration behind the documentary “Reinventing Rosalee.”
Rosalee Glass was a Holocaust survivor who lived life to the fullest.
“She was a Holocaust survivor, and yet, she was so positive,” her daughter recounted. “Many of the survivors had a negative attitude, and rightfully so; they went through a living hell. But not [Rosalee]. She had such a gift of life and was so appreciative of it and so good to people.”
“Everybody that met her was like, ‘she was this magnet,’” Glass added.
This spirit of strength and optimism lives on – in the documentary and the filmmaker behind it, who has a message for the world.
And she’s sharing it with Bradley students first.
“Stop the anti-semitism, stop the hate,” Glass said. “[I want to let] Bradley students know that there’s no room for it. As we said, if it plays in Peoria, and we show our students that we don’t hate anybody; we love, we accept, and we don’t say what’s wrong; we say what’s right. That’s kind of my mission. So, what’s on the horizon is really taking that mission throughout the world and making it happen … being a spokesperson for stopping the hate in the world.”
