From today’s Arc of Calif Monday Morning Memo…
The Arc Mourns the Passing of Lorraine Sheehan – Dec 19, 2009
Last week the Arc of the US announced the passing of a powerful family advocate, Lorraine Sheehan.
So many advocates remember Lorraine across the nation for her political toughness and intelligence and her compassion and kindness. The Disability Policy Collaboration noted that as the President of The Arc in 2003, she signed the agreement between The Arc and United Cerebral Palsy that created the DPC.
She was celebrated in her home state by the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame for her many contributions including raising “four children and six grandchildren” including her son John who was “diagnosed as deaf and mentally retarded. Later, he was diagnosed with autism. Lorraine became involved in the disability movement because of John and his needs, especially as it related to his schooling. Later, she became concerned about independent living opportunities for individuals with disabilities.”
Shirley Dove, Past President of The Arc of California remembers that Lorraine provided much needed support in the early 2000’s as the chapter went through a difficult time in our organizational history.
Ms Sheehan was the prototypical advocate in The Arc straight from the mold of the founding moms in the association. She then broke out and created a new example of an even more powerful and influential leader for people with disabilities and their families. She was a past president for local, state, and national chapters of The Arc and chaired the DPC. She was in the Maryland General Assembly for nine years and was appointed by Governor Harry Hughes as Maryland’s Secretary of State for a four-year term.
To read more…
or here…
http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/educ/exhibits/womenshall/html/sheehan.html
