I did not know Susan Nussbaum -- but after reading the obituary in the Chicago Tribune, I wish I did. She sounds like an extraordinary human being in many different ways, as an activist for diability rights and other just causes, as well as writer, actor and artist. No doubt she was a truly talented person committed to making the world a better, and more enlightened place.
I sat in front of Susan in freshman year English class. Even back then, she was funny, witty and VERY opinionated! She made that class even more fun with her creative wit and outspoken style. I ran across her a couple of times in our adult life, after her accident, and was amazed at her impact on the disabled person community in/around Chicago. She will truly be missed.
Susan and I were in Mr. Dean's 6th grade homeroom class together at Edgewood as well as some HPHS classes. She was always very nice, smart, witty and friendly. I ran into her about 10-15 years ago and she was still nice, smart, witty, friendly and an inspiration to those that knew her and her life story. Condolences to her family and friends.
I didn’t know Susan well but have a pretty clear memory of her in eighth grade at Edgewood and during the first couple of years at HPHS. In those days she stood out as a thoughtful and outspoken young feminist. Then, out of sight, out of mind...until last year when I read a beautifully written memoir by Riva Lehrer, an artist and disability activist who is on the faculty of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Northwestern University. As she tells it, Susan strongly insisted that Riva come to a meeting of the Chicago Disabled Artists Collective. Riva Lehrer painted a wonderful series of what she called “collaborative portraits,” including one of Susan.
Gary Fields
I did not know Susan Nussbaum -- but after reading the obituary in the Chicago Tribune, I wish I did. She sounds like an extraordinary human being in many different ways, as an activist for diability rights and other just causes, as well as writer, actor and artist. No doubt she was a truly talented person committed to making the world a better, and more enlightened place.
David Liebman (Liebman)
I sat in front of Susan in freshman year English class. Even back then, she was funny, witty and VERY opinionated! She made that class even more fun with her creative wit and outspoken style. I ran across her a couple of times in our adult life, after her accident, and was amazed at her impact on the disabled person community in/around Chicago. She will truly be missed.
Steve Goldberg
Susan and I were in Mr. Dean's 6th grade homeroom class together at Edgewood as well as some HPHS classes. She was always very nice, smart, witty and friendly. I ran into her about 10-15 years ago and she was still nice, smart, witty, friendly and an inspiration to those that knew her and her life story. Condolences to her family and friends.
Deborah Krupp (Ketai)
I only knew Susan in high school, but I remember her as bright and warm. Her accident was a tragedy, which she overcame with style and grace.
Karen Melamed (Smith)
I didn’t know Susan well but have a pretty clear memory of her in eighth grade at Edgewood and during the first couple of years at HPHS. In those days she stood out as a thoughtful and outspoken young feminist. Then, out of sight, out of mind...until last year when I read a beautifully written memoir by Riva Lehrer, an artist and disability activist who is on the faculty of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Northwestern University. As she tells it, Susan strongly insisted that Riva come to a meeting of the Chicago Disabled Artists Collective. Riva Lehrer painted a wonderful series of what she called “collaborative portraits,” including one of Susan.
https://blog.americansforthearts.org/2022/03/17/riva-lehrer-and-the-complex-world-of-art-and-disability-advocacy
My condolences to Susan’s people.