Edith Prentiss devoted every minute of her waking hours to making her corner of the world a better place for individuals with disabilities.
Photo Credit: Arlene Schulman
Given her own daily travels around the five boroughs, it was no surprise that Edith was a devoted advocate for all forms of accessible transportation. On any given day, she could be found testifying at MTA Board meetings about elevator accessibility, speaking at a press conference on the steps of City Hall, testing buses that the Transit Authority was considering ordering, checking the angle of a ramp to enter a ferry, or appearing as a plaintiff to press the City to make yellow taxis accessible to wheelchair-users.
As the long-time moderator of the Disabilities Network of New York City (DNNYC) list-serve, she was the nerve center for keeping folks with disabilities and allies informed. Thanks to her boundless curiosity and voracious research, she brought us disability-related news from a dizzying array of sources. Whether encouraging participation at the Disability Pride parade, sharing the latest news on a federal policy change affecting home attendant services, or inviting readers to share their experiences voting, Edith drew us together into a true community.
Edith also cared deeply about developing the next generation of leadership in the disability community. She served as an informal mentor and friend to many younger people, providing advice, compassion, and hard-earned wisdom.
Somehow, she managed to squeeze all these activities into a 24-hour day. Her myriad friends, her beloved Washington Heights-Inwood neighborhood, and the entire City all benefitted from her commitment, talent, and energy. Edith never lost her faith that justice would prevail, and proved that one person can truly make a difference.