This article first appeared on Simply Living.

At 91, Ellen Baumgartner speaks with a quiet grace and a deep well of wisdom that comes from a lifetime of caring for people, for community, and for the Earth. As one of Simply Living’s early founding members, Ellen helped shape the organization’s spirit of grassroots action and connection.

Roots of Compassion

Ellen grew up in Montclair, New Jersey, where her father served as a Congregational minister. Diversity was a natural part of her childhood — a third of her graduating class in 1952 was black, and prejudice was never part of her family’s values.

Her father encouraged his children to attend small liberal arts colleges, and Ellen relocated  to Ohio due to a menu of choices in reputable liberal arts schools. She studied at Ohio Wesleyan for two year before transferring to Western Reserve for nursing, where she met her husband, a physician. Together they raised three children: Bonnie, who also became a nurse; Paul, a brilliant rocket scientist who sadly passed away from brain cancer last year; and Cat, who has worked in nurseries and inherited her mother’s love of trees.

Discovering Her Calling

In the early 1970s, long before climate change was a common topic, Ellen began reading the emerging research on global warming. Concerned about the planet’s future, she committed herself to living more sustainably.

Trees, in particular, have always been sacred to Ellen. “I am spiritually connected to them,” she shared. Even today, from her home in a local retirement community, she delights in views of trees and enjoyment of the nearby trails.

She also embraced practical choices: newspaper recycling in Worthington, composting, and choosing active transportation. For many years, Ellen was an avid bicyclist, often carrying groceries or library books in the milk crate strapped to the back of her bike. She toured longer distances until the early 2000’s and biked locally until the age of 85, before passing her bicycle on to her daughter. Now, she stays active through walking and Silver Sneakers classes.

The Simply Living Years

“Marilyn Welker and I were friends before Simply Living. I don’t remember exactly how it all started,” Ellen laughs, “but I was in the first committee gathering.” What she does recall is Marilyn’s vision for a member-driven organization: if you have an idea, go with it.

Ellen remembers a quote she made years ago that sums up her experience over the years, “Simply Living’s community supports me as I bring my life in line with my values.”

For Ellen, one of the most meaningful projects was introducing discussion courses from the Northwest Earth Institute (now Ecochallenge). “What I liked most,” she said, “was that it was a great way to get to know other people.” Community, for Ellen, has always been about learning together and supporting one another.

Hopes and Dreams

Reflecting on Simply Living’s journey, Ellen is amazed and grateful. After all, our world has changed in myriad ways since Simply Living was founded 33 years ago.

“It’s amazing that Simply Living has survived all of this and is going strong. Simply Living is amazing and gives me hope. Chuck (Lynd) kept it going for a long time. And the fact that Simply Living has a new director is wonderful. I feel really glad about that.”

Her deepest wish for the world is global peace.

“The biggest yearning of my life is to have peace in the world. I put in a prayer every Sunday to bring peace to all corners of Mother Earth. And, that’s what she is to me – Mother Earth. If we have peace, there is so much we can do that would be positive.”

She imagines a world where green economies thrive and nature surrounds us; a place filled with trees and life. To Ellen, these aren’t just environmental goals but spiritual commitments; a way of caring deeply for the Earth and all who share it.

A Legacy

Ellen’s story is a reminder that “being the change” begins with personal choices — biking instead of driving, recycling and reusing instead of wasting, planting trees instead of cutting them down. But it doesn’t stop there. Ellen’s life and her role in shaping Simply Living shows how those choices ripple outward into community and collective action. Ellen continues to inspire us with her clarity, compassion, and enduring hope.