Dr. Chilman was born in 1914 in Cleveland, Ohio. She earned her B.A. from Oberlin College in 1935, obtaining her M.A. in Social Work from the University of Chicago in 1938, and her Ph.D. in Psychology from Syracuse University in 1958. Dr. Chilman joined NCFR in 1950.

After her early work as a social worker, she was employed at Syracuse University's College of Home Economics, first as an instructor and later as an Assistant Professor. In 1960 she moved to Washington, D.C., working as a research specialist for the Children's Bureau, U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare until 1969. From 1969 to 1971 she was Dean of Faculty and Professor of Psychology at Hood College in Frederick, Maryland. From 1971-1972 she held a position as Senior Research Associate and Curriculum Coordinator in the Schools of Social Work and Public Health at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. While there she co-edited a five-volume series, "Families in Trouble", with Elam Nunnally and Fred Cox. From 1973 to 1986 she was a Professor of Research at the School of Social Welfare, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Dr. Chilman served as both Chairman and President of the National Groves Conference on the Family. In 1985 she received the "Lifetime Honored Member Award" from that organization.

Dr. Chilman's obituary was published in the Washington Post.