[NFBWATlk] sad news

[Marci Carpenter]

I received the news today that our dear friend and colleague Maria Bradford died last Saturday. None of us had been able to reach her for quite a while and she had not attended Members At Large chapter meetings in at least a year. I don’t have any  other details about cause of death or any service.

Maria’s membership in the National Federation of the Blind goes back before mine. I believe she joined the Federation in the early '70’s. She had served as a chapter President, a state board member and as 2nd Vice President of the NFB of Washington. She had worked as an itinerate teacher  and later at the Lighthouse for the Blind in Spokane. She believed deeply in our philosophy and in the importance of the blind people’s movement and she lived by those beliefs her entire life. She was intelligent and kind. She was known around the country, having attended many national conventions and some Washington Seminars. 

I loved hearing Maria’s stories about her life, her career and her experiences in the NFB. I know many of you have also heard  her talk about these things and have many great memories you can share. 

I am a better person and a better Federationist because I knew Maria Bradford. I will miss her very much. We will have a brief remembrance of Maria at our state convention.

Marci