In Memoriam
Nina Eaton, Trustee Emeritus
(August 15, 1915 - March 30, 2012)
Leonard Eaton, born with cerebral palsy in 1941, led his young uncertain mother towards a lifetime of advocacy for people with disabilities. Nina Eaton and other parents, including founders Leonard and Isabelle Goldenson along with Jack and Ethel Hausman, laid the foundation for a far-reaching organization that has enhanced the lives of millions of Americans with disabilities. More than a half century later, United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is a nationwide network of 100 affiliates serving more than 170,000 people with disabilities and their families every day.
Mrs. Eaton was a founding member of the New York State Cerebral Palsy Association in 1946. As the organization evolved into United Cerebral Palsy in 1949, Mrs. Eaton helped educate communities about cerebral palsy, which, like most developmental disabilities at the time, carried significant social stigma. She is well known for her persistent lobbying, leading to regional and national expansion of community-based services for people with disabilities.
Mrs. Eaton remained an active leader in the disability community, and served on the Board of Directors of United Cerebral Palsy of Suffolk for twenty years.
Each year UCP honors an affiliate with the Nina Eaton Program of the Year Award, as part of its Awards for Excellence. The UCP affiliate is recognized for making an extraordinary contribution to the quality of life to people with disabilities through the delivery of state-of-the art direct services in the affiliate's community. Nina loved the Awards for Excellence presentations and served as the Emcee for many years. She added her charm and wit to the evening of celebrating the accomplishments of UCP affiliates and individuals, in multiple categories.
“UCP is saddened to lose such a tremendous advocate whose life’s work has been integral to advancing the civil rights movement for people with disabilities,” said Stephen Bennett, UCP President & CEO. “Nina was an amazing woman and will be greatly missed among the UCP family and disability advocates. Our deepest sympathies go to the entire Eaton family.”
“Nina was so much a part of our history and our lives,” said Stephen H. Friedman, President and CEO, UCP of Suffolk. “The lives of individuals with disabilities will be forever enriched because of her legacy."
"When I first met Nina Eaton, over 30 years ago, I was awed by her passion and eloquence...she was and remains an inspiration! Nina spoke at many of our events, and never failed to elicit tears, laughter and donations," remembered Marsha Gittleman, Director of Development, UCP of Suffolk.
