In Loving Memory of Sandra Robinson
It is with great and deep sadness to announce that Sandra Robinson, Leader and Co-Chair of the FUREE Board of Directors transitioned on May 17th, 2011, after a very brief battle with pancreatic cancer in Brooklyn at the age of 58.
Sandra was a native New Yorker and a family day care provider in her Bedford-Stuyvesant community for seven years. She worked with youth for 25 years throughout New York State and California. Sandra is survived by her mother, Shirley Robinson, her daughter Kymberly Paul and her grandchildren, Nicole and Kwame, after whom her child care center in Bedford-Stuyvesant is named.
Sandra was an active and vocal leader of FUREE for over seven years. She first joined FUREE’s Child Care Campaign in 2005. Sandra was elected to FUREE’s Board by our members in 2007 and elected as Co-Chair in 2009. She served on the Board with dignity and with a very clear understanding that she represented the hundreds of members who believed in her humble leadership and vision for our work. Under her stewardship, FUREE has launched two new campaigns, transitioned its directorship, played leading roles in sustaining FUREE’s work with funders and individual supporters, and positioned FUREE as a leader in social change movements at the local and national level. On a recent trip to New Orleans, Sandra appeared on a panel that discussed opportunities for housing organizing during the economic recession. Her poignant responses didn’t come from years of experience but rather from her heart. This is just one example of how Sandra shared her passion for justice with others. Sandra was committed to building deeper relationships and creating a safe space for members, staff and Board Members at FUREE, and worked hard to build a sense of family, camaraderie and unity throughout our work and within our office.
The Sandra we all came to know and love is akin to a lioness protecting her cubs: calm, peaceful and vigilant in protecting the refuge that members needed as people struggle with the impact of the economy, while nurturing the leadership of women and youth from low-income and working class communities. She also protected us by sparing the FUREEous Family the pain of knowing that she was seriously ill and would be returning home shortly.
Condolence cards and contributions can be mailed to: FUREE, 81 Willoughby Street, #701, Brooklyn, NY 11201.
Rest in peace and in power, Sandra. We all love you and will miss your spirit and presence at FUREE. Thank you for sharing your life, your hopes and dreams to win racial, gender and economic equity in Brooklyn and beyond. Please know that you are an inspiration to many.
With love,
The Board, Members and Staff of FUREE
(To leave a tribute to Sandra’s legacy on our website, please leave a message below.)
Comments
Sandra was a warm and loving person and a powerful and committed leader. I was, and will continue to be, inspired by her combination of compassion, humility, and strength. All of us at Social Justice Leadership will miss her deeply. Our condolences to Sandra's family and to FUREE.
My deepest condolences to Sandra's family from CVH (Community Voices Heard) and myself. I will always remember Sandra's light as not just a shining example of what a outstanding leader is but as a overall beautiful person with a wonderful smile. I will not weep at her passing but celebrate her LIGHT, and know she is watching over us all.
Please accept our condolences and know that we’re thinking of you and the FUREE Board of Directors. We remember meeting Sandra on our site-visit a couple of years ago and she spoke eloquently about the community that comprises, and is served, by FUREE. Your tribute below is an eloquent statement about the power of genuine community leadership and you have honored her work and memory in a wonderful way. As a result, we can begin to comprehend the sense of loss in the whole FUREE community. Thank you for sharing this difficult news and giving us the opportunity to meet Sandra and come to appreciate her work and inspiration.
Sincerely,
Lukas and Rachael
I would like to inform all of my sister family & friends that her Funeral will held on thur. May 26 2011. It will be held at BENTA'S FUNERAL HOME,INC. 630 ST NICHOLAS AVENUE NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10030 (212) 281.-8850. It near 141 st.& ST NICHOLAS AVENUE .THE FUNERAL HELD AT 11:00 AM .THANK YOU FROM THE ROBINSON FAMILY .
I remember all the times when I needed someone to stand in at the last moment you were always available and ready to do whatever was needed to move forward in the Child Care Campaign. You were one of a kind. You always stepped up to the plate and made sure that FUREE survive. You are what a true leader is all about.You did not talk about it: you were about it. You will be dearly missed by your Brothers and Sisters in the Social Justice Area. Love you Girl!!!!!!
May we and her people see her smiling back at us from the other shore.
My condolences to Sandra's family and the FUREE fam for such a loss. May her spirit live on through you all!
I send my deepest condolences to your family I will miss you dearly I keep remembering the last time I saw you at the RTTC mtg... your gleaming smile and inviting nature Rest in Peace Sandra Robinson God Bless you <3
Sandra you will be truly missed, A true Warrior
going home.another angel earned her wings.. You are and will always be an inspiration to many..( R.I.P).. till we meet again my friend
RIP Sandra. You will be greatly missed! You have been a positive role model in my life and an amazing community leader. I partly owe who I am today, to you! Palante hermana! Your legacy will live on. Till we meet again , Sis!
What do you say about a woman like Sandra? She is someone who always pushes everyone around her to think about the end goal, and not let pettiness or other obstacles get in the way. She is someone who exudes strength, confidence, and the will to keep going even - when it is hard and draining (especially when it's hard and draining). Sandra wouldn't want any of us to be sad; she would want us to keep pushing forward. But it's gonna be hard to do that without you, Sandra.
You will be forever missed, but never ever forgotten.
With love, respect and tears,
Dez
We lost a friend, comrade, caregiver and fighter. Sandra inspired us all with her warmth, determination and belief in the collective power of everyday people. My thoughts are with her family. ¡SANDRA ESTA PRESENTE!
Seeing her being a mother, a grandmother and an inspirational leader shows true testament of a strong woman. Even though she is no longer here physically, her stories and legacy continues to inspire women throughout furee, connecting organizations and people who knew Sandra. She will continue live as the heart of furee.
You will be missed sandra
My heart aches with the sudden loss of my friend and mentor Sandy. For 20 years she has been a part of my family’s life. Sandy, you have been, are and always will be an angel on my shoulder.
May god bless you and your family it have been my privilege to have shared this earth with you.
It was an honor to meet Sandra a few years back - her wisdom and love were truly a force. My thoughts and prayers are with her immediate family and her FUREE family too.
I'm so saddened by this news. My deepest condolences to Sandra's family and her FUREEous family. She was truly an amazing woman who will be long missed and remembered.
My deep condolences to FUREE and to Sandra’s family on her passing. I know she will be missed.
So sorry to hear the sad news. - Vic Bach, Community Service Society
To the Members of FUREE and the family of Sandra Robinson:
We, the Parliament Democratic Club send our deepest regrets and will hold you in prayer.
It was a blessing to have Ms. Robinson here on earth and we are sure that she is now enjoying Heaven.
Let's keep her memory alive and teach others what she has taught us.
Warmly,
Renee Collymore,President
Sandra, your wisdom, strength and energy inspires me everyday. I will really miss you and thank you so much for the advice, care and love that you have shown me. And, thank you so much for being the force that keeps us going!
I wish Sandra's family and everyone at FUREE comfort in this time of grief. Her contribution to the fight for economic justice lives on in the inspiring work of FUREE. May she rest in peace.
We are so sorry to hear about Sandra. Our hearts and spirit are with you and the entire FUREE family.
- Judy, Susan, Greg and the entire Cause Effective team
I wish to extend my deepest condolences in the passing of our sister Sandra Robinson. She was a powerful leader and organizer among other things. I will miss her smile and freckles. Weeping may endure for a night but joy will surely come in the morning.
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