From home in Paramus, New Jersey Barbara writes that she finds it hard to believe that 40 years have passed. She has many fond memories of PPXII and her friends there. Unfortunately she will miss the reunion since she will be away on vacation. Barbara enjoys traveling, gardening, spending time in NYC and her work as a gay rights activist and educator.
“Funny how you never know where life will take you - after high school, and Montclair State I continued working at NJ Bell (where I started as a telephone operator - working part time in Passaic). I enjoyed a 36-year career there, retiring from Verizon Yellow Pages just 4 years ago. Loved the work - diversity training, change management, communications and I introduced the first bilingual yellow pages in the former Bell Atlantic. My involvement in diversity at Verizon was a big help when our son at age 13 told us he was gay. This led me to become involved in the gay rights movement and today I am co-president of PFLAG (Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) of Bergen County and currently am part of a coalition of concerned community leaders in Northern NJ working to create a "safe space" for gay teens to meet. As a family, we march annually in the NYC Gay Pride parade, have lobbied our Congress in DC for equal rights for all citizens and we do presentations at schools and corporations in North Jersey. I am so proud of our son - he produces events for a non-profit in NYC, and is an accomplished actor/dancer/singer/composer/choreographer. I recently returned to the work force, working as a Special Events Manager for the YWCA of Bergen County. Have a great reunion - who knows, maybe I will see you all at our 50th!”
The photo is of Barbara, husband Tony and son Chris.
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