This quote by Helen Keller is repeated daily by Sue Hodges. What better way to introduce you to our new board member?

Sue Hodges, who has been no stranger to EHN, knew we lost the talents of Amy Marsh and Ester Soriano. They had to resign from EHN's Board to turn their energies to pursing that "daring adventure." We were so fortunate to have the abilities, time and energy of Amy and Ester on EHN's Board of Directors, and now we are blessed to have Sue.

In April 1993, Sue Hodges served on the "Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel" convened by our late state Senator Milton Marks. Sue, then and now, is the Program Director of Disability Education and Advocacy Resources. (See Access for People With Environmental Illness/Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and Other Related Conditions; document number 876-S, published by the California Senate, Sept. 30, 1996; available on EHN's site at http://www.ehnca.org/www/books/eimcsf1.htm)

In 1998, Mary Lamielle (NCEHS - National Center for Environmental Health Strategies, Inc. http://www.ncehs.org) informed EHN that the U.S. Access Board was coming to town. It was arranged for the Access Board to hold its meeting in Oakland, and to take testimony from people who were already disabled by MCS and denied access to public buildings.

And to whom did EHN turn? It was none other than Sue Hodges. As a member of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission's Elderly and Disabled Advisory Committee, Sue worked with MTC to enable the U.S. Access Board to hold its town meeting at MTC in Oakland, Oct. 2, 1998. Ironically, due to a combination of synthetic fragrances worn by many, and the still volatilizing effects of the then recent MTC restroom painting and general renovations, our group had to adjourn to the cafeteria. The MTC Auditorium was simply too toxic for those of us already living with MCS.

Sue was among the presenters of testimony that morning, telling the Board about Oaklandžs accommodations of people living with disabilities due to chemical injury. Oakland has an excellent policy and has also developed a brochure. Sue held the Board's rapt attention.

Sue Hodges was our cover story in our March - April 1999 issue. Sue had been named Woman of the Year for the 14th Assembly District by Assemblywoman Dion Aroner (D-Berkeley). In September 1999, Sue Hodges was the recipient of MTC's Doris W. Kahn Accessible Transportation Award. MTC honored Sue for her work on behalf of all people, but with her special attention tuned to the transportation needs of the elderly and disabled.

February 2001, Sue resigned her duties as Chair of the Oakland Mayor's Committee on Persons With Disabilities. She had served as Chair for nine of her ten years of service on that committee.

Welcome to EHN, Sue Hodges.

-- barb