Jane Small Remembered As a Tireless Advocate for Civil Rights
Jane Small, longtime member of CAPH, now CDR, and nationally known civil rights/disability rights advocate was remembered in two Memorial Services in California. Jane, who passed away in Los Angeles on October 15, was aptly captured by colleagues and friends, as a blunt, tireless, advocate; an extraordinary networker, a formidable foe, and a loving and funny woman.
Speakers at the services in Los Angeles and Sacramento respectively included Senator Tom Hayden and Jane Crawford, Assistant Appointments Secretary for Governor Gray Davis as well as other friends and colleagues. At the November 20 Memorial Service held in Sacramento in conjunction with the CDR State Council meeting, Ms. Crawford read a Governor's Resolution which declared the day, "Jane Small Memorial Day". She recalled the Governor's long standing relationship with Jane and her husband, Hugh Hallenberg and shared the Governor's regard for Jane's opinions and thoughts.
In Los Angeles at the October 24 Service, Senator Hayden also shared his experiences during the many years he had worked with Jane. He stated that Jane was always prepared with facts, figures, and strong arguments on the issues she brought to him. However, this information paled in comparison to the prospect of facing her as a foe; thereby making it an easy decision to support her position!
In addition to these notable figures, friends and family remembered Jane as a fighter, a gourmet cook, a grandmother, a founding member of the National Women's Political Caucus (NWPC), and an active campaigner for political candidates and causes. Most of all, everyone recalled her tireless work for social justice and her willingness to take on "one more issue". Numerous comments were made about the need for all of us to re-double our advocacy efforts to try to fill the void left by Jane's death.
Jane was president of Los Angeles Chapter 50 of CDR at the time of her death. She is survived by her husband, Hugh Hallenberg, also a strong civil rights activist and advocate, as well as four children and grandchildren. Jane had asked that any memorial donations in her name be made to the NWPC.
In addition, at its State Council meeting on November 21, CDR voted to give the CDR Scholarship in the year 2000 in Jane's memory. Jane, as well as the fruits of her tireless labor, will be missed by many. The best tribute we can pay her is the continued fight for social justice.
On November 11, Governor Davis announced the appointment of Dr. Catherine Campisi as the new Director of the State of California Department of Rehabilitation.
Dr. Campisi has had over twenty years of varied experience in policy and program development as well as advocacy to increase equal opportunities for persons with disabilities in our communities. She previously served at the Department of Rehabilitation as the Assistant Deputy Director of the Transition Programs Unit and as Deputy Director of the Independent Living and Technology Division.
Catherine is well-known to members of CDR, having been active in the present organization as well as its predecessor, CAPH. She has served as president of the Sacramento Chapter, 14, and a delegate to the CDR State Council.
She has grown up with a physical disability and has personal experience with blindness and psychiatric disability. In addition to extensive work in the area of higher education and disability, she has provided leadership in independent living, assistive technology, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and transition services for youth with disabilities. She also has worked with issues related to persons with psychiatric disabilities, learning disabilities, and deafness.
She has served as the President of the multi-national organization of the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD), as Chairperson of the Board of Directors for the Access Center, the independent living center in San Diego (formerly CSCD), and as an active member of California Postsecondary Education and Disability (CAPED), Disabled In State Service (DISS) as well as Californians for Disability Rights (CDR). In addition, Catherine teaches a graduate course in Rehabilitation/Special Education Department at California State University, Sacramento entitles "Counseling Persons with Disabilities."
At the time of her appointment, Catherine was serving as Dean of Student Services at the Chancellor's Office of the California Community Colleges. She has her doctorate in social psychology, specializing in disability issues.