Political/Social Activism, Philanthropy & Social Services

Evelyn Ilton Strauss '49
Co-founder, Lauri Strauss Leukemia Foundation

[The Calhoun Chronicle, Spring 2004]

The Lauri Strauss Leukemia Foundation was established in 1984 by Calhoun alumna Evelyn Alton Strauss ’49 and her husband Herbert Strauss in memory of their daughter Lauri, who died of leukemia at the age of 26. The couple and their youngest daughter, Jennifer, have since worked tirelessly raising funds for the foundation, which supports research to find a cure for leukemia and allied cancers. It also provides funding for patient care, the promotion of marrow donor education, and marrow drives. Since 1987, the official beginning of LSLF, nearly $3 million in grants, fellowships, lectures, sponsored donor drives and pain/palliative care services has been distributed for research and aide. Each fall, LSLF’s gala benefit concert celebrates the success of the fundraising efforts, thanking financial contributors and continuing to raise awareness about the urgency for a cure. 

In addition to her philanthropic work with LSLF, Evelyn has had a long and varied professional career. She began as an educator in the New York City public school system after receiving her masters in elementary education from Teachers College at Columbia University. But the loss of her father precipitated a turn in a totally different direction; she took over the family business as president of Lyle & Scott, a company that specialized in importing high-end fabrics. It was during this time that Lauri became ill and Evelyn decided to stay home to care for her daughter. When Lauri died, Evelyn resumed her business career, first as the U.S. representative of the British Knitting & Clothing Export Council and then as president of Manos del Uruguay. Today, she is a real estate agent for the Daniel Gale Machret Agency in Port Washington, New York.

Francine Posner Baras '59
Founder, Future Voters of America, NYC

[The Calhoun Chronicle, Spring 2004]

When she was a student at Calhoun, 45 years ago, Francine Baras felt that students had no voice, were terribly protected, and were afraid of authority. Today, Francine is struck by the articulate and passionate students she has met at her alma mater in recent years. “In some sort of ironic way, since 1995 and the inception of Future Voters of America Party (FVAP), my best and most staunch student supporters and leaders are from Calhoun.”  Future Voters was created as a way to introduce young people to the political process and, ultimately, to encourage them to become voting citizens. The organization does this through weekly political discussion forums and, more recently, through the creation of the annual New York City Youth Congress. Completely run by students, the Second Annual New York City Youth Congress held in May 2004 involved more than 300 students from independent and public schools from all five boroughs.

Francine has followed a varied educational and career path since her graduation from Calhoun and the Tobé Coburn Fashion School. She worked in the fashion industry for a number of years and then as a stockbroker with C. H. Blair and Company. The turning point came when Francine went back to school at Queens College for her BA in psychology, followed by an MSW degree from the Columbia School of Social Work. Finally, she went to the Postgraduate Center for Mental Health (PCMH), a multi-disciplinary training and treatment institute, where she received certification in child psychology and parental guidance. She opened a private practice in Manhattan, and was subsequently named director of the family program at PCMH—a position she left in 1994 to co-found the Institute for Child Adolescent and Family Studies, where she is presently a faculty, board, and founding member.  Along with her political activism and institutional work, Francine still has a part-time private practice. [The Calhoun Chronicle, spring 2004]

Betty Ann Goldstein Gaynor ’62
Publicist; Social Activist, CHEC

[The Calhoun Chronicle, Winter 2006]

The professional and personal blend easily for Betty Ann Gaynor ’62, who is an ardent health advocate and a long-time public relations/media professional. In addition to her professional and volunteer work as a public relations/media consultant, she is a published freelance writer, has MAs in journalism and Spanish (from Johns Hopkins University and the University of Southern California) and has taught in secondary public and private schools. But Betty Ann is most passionate about her volunteer work with The Children's Health Environmental Coalition (CHEC), an organization that educates new and prospective parents on ways to reduce environmental toxic exposures in their homes and environments. Since 1994, she has spearheaded the public relations media strategy for CHEC's Environmental Childproofing Campaign. "CHEC was a perfect fit for my proactive nature; I became increasingly curious and concerned about the issue of childhood environmental exposures."

Betty became involved in CHEC in February 1994, when her cousins Nancy and James Chuda asked for her help. The organization was founded in memory of their daughter Colette Chuda, who died at age five of a non-hereditary form of cancer. Nancy and James believed that Colette's cancer could have been prevented, and intuitively, Nancy began researching environmental toxins. Betty signed on to help their cause. As a health and medical publicist since 1983, she had already worked with medical clients on such issues as childhood obesity, eating disorders and cardiovascular disease. Since its founding in 1994, CHEC has made significant inroads.  It's web site  at www.checnet.org educates the public on what can be done to mitigate environmental toxins in the home. An annual fall benefit held in Manhattan raises much-needed funds. And in 1997, the Food Quality and Protection Act was enacted -- thanks to Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), who introduced the Children's Environmental Protection Act ion in memory of Colette Chuda. The bill addressed the need for the environmental protection agency to “consistently and explicitly evaluate and consider” potential environmental health risks to children “within an adequate margin of safety.”  Says Betty, "I urge Calhoun parents and alums to go to our website and get educated about what they can do to make their environments healthier and safer."

Irene Blum Packer-Halsey '64
Vice President, Community Building & Program Development, Nat'l Puerto Rican Coalition

[The Calhoun Chronicle, Spring 1999]

Vice president of Community Building and Program Development for the National Puerto Rican Coalition, Irene Blum Packer-Halsey '64 is as enthusiastic about her work today as she was when she went to Washington, D.C., 35 years ago as a college student. "I came from the old Calhoun neighborhood, in the West 90s, and always felt that the school should be a part of the neighborhood...a partner," says Irene.  "I had this vision at a very young age, but it wasn't until I moved to Washington that I learned that what I was concerned about had a name -- it was called neighborhood empowerment at that time.  Today it's called community building."  Irene was swept up into what was becoming a national trend, and hasn't stopped since.

In her executive position with the National Puerto Rican Coalition, Irene designs, develops and implements programs to enhance the ability of activist and grassroots leaders in Puerto Rican communities, enabling them to building housing and initiate economic development projects.  In this capacity, she helped create a HUD Commission on Hispanic Housing; initiated an Elderly Housing Division of the National Hispanic Council on Aging; completed a three-year term as Commissioner on Hispanic Affairs; and continues to serve as a consultant to the Native American Council on similar issues.  Irene has won numerous awards for her work, including the New York City Mayor's Community Involvement Award and the HUD Secretary's Award for Participation in Community Development Partnerships.

In 1999, Irene began working with Calhoun's Director of Community Service to develop volunteer opportunities for students with New York City's local Hispanic community groups.  "I've personally surpassed every dream and vision I ever had," enthuses Irene.  "It was the skills and awareness of my passion that I gained at Calhoun -- more so than from college -- that helped me to go forward with my career."

Tom (Zamora) Collina '84
Executive Director, 20/20 Vision

[The Calhoun Chronicle, Spring 2006]

Sometimes it takes a desperate election year to get politicians motiviated to act. At least, that's what Tom (Zamora) Collina was hoping would happen in the 2006 elections, in order to push forward the Vehicle and Fuel Choices for America Security Act.  Tom Collina is executive director of 20/20 Vision, a public education and advocacy group whose mission is to educate government leaders and the public on our country's dependence on oil and the impact it has on foreign policy, the government and the economy.

A graduate of Cornell University, Tom came to his social activism during his Calhoun days, when he was a member of an interschool group called Students for Peace.  After college, he went to work for the Union of Concerned Scientists. Today, in his position at 20/20 Vision, Tom hopes to push the government to effect real change regarding our dependence on oil; "to pass meaningful legislation -- not $100 rebates."  In testimony before the Senate last October [2005], Tom warned the Committee on Foreign Relations that our current dependence on oil, especially from foreign sources, is dangerous but not irreversible; he is advocating for government incentives for automakers that manufacture hybrids and alternative fuels. On a personal level, he encourages consumers to drive less, to drive slower (55 mph), and when purchasing a car, to select a hybrid or a flex fuel vehicle that runs on E85 ethanol. At the very least, he suggests trying to purchase a car with the highest mileage possible.  "We have the technology to cut our oil use in half as a nation by 2020," insists Tom. "Doing so would lower gas prices, reduce the chance of future conflicts over oil in the Middle East, reduce our exposure to terrorism, help tame severe storms like Hurricane Katrina, and create jobs. But we must start now."

Stephan Kolbert '86
Community Activist, Teacher

UPDATE (2005): Stephan joined the faculty of Calhoun in 2005 as a Lower School teacher. He continues to be involved as a community activist with numerous organizations.

[The Calhoun Chronicle, Winter 1999]

You can't help but marvel at his lifestyle - six months or more spent traveling, six months working the the States to earn the money to travel again.  Since graduating from Ithaca College in 1990 and from NYU in 1995 with a masters in counseling, Stephan Kolbert '86 has managed to travel across five continents.  And yet, even when he's working to prepare for the next trip, Stephan never loses sight of his journey. "I haven't made traditional life choices," Stephan acknowledges.  "I'm not going down a real straight-laced road.  But I feel extremely fortunate and don't take any of it for granted.  I've seen the other side, and I feel fortunate just for the comforts of a roof over my head, just having food."

Some of Stephan's paying jobs have included working for Outward Bound, New York Youth at Risk, the Community Food Resource Center, and most recently, Common Cents. He has also worked in school systems under the auspices of the Anti-Defamation League, offering diversity training to teenagers.  Last summer, he worked in the Caribbean at a camp teaching kids about the environment, ecological issues and outdoor skills.

Stephan credits Calhoun for giving him a passion for community and for learning, and the ability to develop wonderful relationships with people.  "I've been able to take those ideals and apply them to the different parts of my life," says Stephan.  "Helping others and forming communities--that's where Calhoun has a place in my life.  I seek those things when I travel."  As far as his commitment to community service, Stephan remembers the positive examples of his parents as well as his school.  "Kids do as we do, not a we say.  If parents get involved in volunteer activities, young people pick up on that.  If parents and the people around you support volunteerism, it's community building."

Francine Bard ’89
Assoc. Director, Graduate School Student Career Development, Columbia University

Francine Bard ’89 graduated from Barnard College in 1993 and returned to Columbia University five years later, earning two Masters degrees in Organizational Psychology and Psychological Counseling from Teachers College, Columbia University. Since 1999, she has worked at Columbia’s Center for Career Services where she is Associate Director of Graduate Student Career Development. The focus of her work is to assist individuals in assessing their interests, values, skills, exploring career paths, and creating and implementing personal career development plans. She also volunteers with Women In Need, Dress for Success, and Lift Community Services, a division of the New York Theatre Ballet, which supports at-risk and homeless children and their families. Francine feels one of the greatest things about Calhoun was the focus on community involvement. That was a big part of her life then, and an even greater interest now. "At Calhoun, community service was required; it was a part of life that was essential, which was consistent with the message I learned at home. The question was never "Why volunteer?" it was "How?" At Calhoun, how you were getting your "community service hours" came up frequently, and I remember feeling proud of the opportunities I found to integrate my interests into helping activities, such as tutoring. I remember that volunteering at soup kitchens was popular while I was in high school. Just the fact that I can call a type of volunteering "popular" can give a sense of how community service was integrated into life."