Women's History Month

Celebrating women making a difference in the fight against ALS

March 10, 2023 Comments Off on Celebrating women making a difference in the fight against ALS

Women’s History Month (WHM) has been observed in the United States every March since 1987, and is dedicated to raising awareness of women’s contributions to history, culture, and society. A…

Remembering Judy Heumann, disability rights leader (1947-2023)

March 8, 2023 Comments Off on Remembering Judy Heumann, disability rights leader (1947-2023)

The Golden West Chapter joins the world in mourning and celebrating the life and legacy of disability rights activist Judith “Judy” Heumann, who died March 4, 2023. Known as the…

Bay Area theater director perservering with ALS

March 7, 2023 Comments Off on Bay Area theater director perservering with ALS

East Bay theater director Erin Merritt is living with the debilitating effects of ALS, the degenerative nervous system disorder also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Even though she struggles to…

Bay Area theater community rallies behind ailing director

March 7, 2023 Comments Off on Bay Area theater community rallies behind ailing director

Erin Merritt has been a powerful force in Bay Area theater for decades, as a director, actor, producer and as someone who all-around makes things happen. Founder of the all-female…

Director battling ALS brings show to SF stage with tech assist

March 2, 2023 Comments Off on Director battling ALS brings show to SF stage with tech assist

This Bay Area artist has ALS and can’t speak — but she’s still directing her dream project

March 1, 2023 Comments Off on This Bay Area artist has ALS and can’t speak — but she’s still directing her dream project

A year ago, Erin Merritt stopped being able to sing in tune during her car karaoke. Then the El Cerrito director, who has been working in Bay Area theater for…

Researcher Spotlight: Anuradhika Puri, Ph.D., 2022 Milton Safenowitz Postdoctoral Fellow

February 11, 2023 Comments Off on Researcher Spotlight: Anuradhika Puri, Ph.D., 2022 Milton Safenowitz Postdoctoral Fellow

Today marks the 8th annual International Day of Women and Girls in Science, an opportunity to remind ourselves that further efforts are needed to ensure gender equality in science, technology,…

Roberta Flack reveals ALS diagnosis, making it “impossible to sing”

December 30, 2022 Comments Off on Roberta Flack reveals ALS diagnosis, making it “impossible to sing”

Natalie Woody: Growing Up with My Dad and ALS

December 20, 2022 Comments Off on Natalie Woody: Growing Up with My Dad and ALS

ALS affects all people in the family – including kids. And while most ALS youth caregivers demonstrate amazing resilience and grace, they have complex experiences and feelings when living with…

Kayla Turochy: Lamar Helped Me Find My Voice

December 15, 2022 Comments Off on Kayla Turochy: Lamar Helped Me Find My Voice

Kayla met Lamar Woody back in 2017 at the music store where he taught voice and piano lessons. As her very first vocal coach, Lamar will always have a special…