Yourself and family:
I live in Woodcliff Lake and have two grown sons, Trevor, 48, and Josh, 43. Trevor lives in Oakland, CA, and is a musician. Josh is currently backpacking in South America. I’ve been divorced since I was 32 years old and my kids were age 5 and 10. Needless to say, I’ve become very self-sufficient and independent.
Your background and work:
Once I was on my own and raising two kids, I started working at the Bergen-Passaic Health Systems Agency, a local health planning agency. While there I worked with health care professionals and consumers to plan for things like a mobile intensive care system for the two-county region.
I was then hired by St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Paterson, NJ, and worked there as Vice President of Strategic Planning for nearly 18 years. In that role, I wrote proposals, analyzed data, and prepared public testimony about proposed health regulations.
While at St. Joe’s, I completed my Ph.D. in political science at Fordham University. I also developed an interest in photography and was an active member of the Ridgewood Camera Club. When I left St. Joe’s in 1999, I began consulting for other hospitals and for non-profit organizations, mostly in Paterson. My involvement with dedicated non-profit leaders led me to create a mentoring program for 8-13 year old inner city kids: the Paterson Youth Photography Project (www.pypp.org). PYPP began in 2002, it’s still going strong, and I’m still teaching.
How I came to Ethical Culture Society:
I first learned about ECS when I attended a Bergen Grassroots meeting back in 2006. I also attended a congressional forum at ECS when Congressmen Pascrell and Roth were running against each other a few years ago. Last April, I noticed the ECS meetup site and decided to attend a platform. I soon discovered that Joe Chuman’s platforms were fantastic, other Sunday events were also thought-provoking, members were very warm and welcoming toward me, and the focus on social justice was very appealing to me.
What I like to do in my free time:
I go to Gold’s Gym three times a week. I love to watch TV dramas and go to the movies. I enjoy reading muckraking articles in The Nation and in Rolling Stone magazine. I’m the organizer of a group of women who get together once a month for a potluck dinner and movie. I occasionally go on a photo shoot, like when I photographed Occupy Wall Street in Zuccotti Park.
