Passing of MLS Attorney, Tenant Advocate and Healthcare Activist Susan M. Cohen

December 23, 2010– Legal Services NYC is saddened to share news of the passing yesterday of Manhattan Legal Services Senior Staff Attorney and Community Justice Project Coordinator Susan M. Cohen. In May of this year, Susan was recognized as a New York State Woman of Distinction at a ceremony at the New York State Legislature. She was honored not only for her more than 25 years of
service representing low-income tenants, first at MFY Legal
Services and later at MLS, but also for her service as
Chair of the New York State Breast Cancer Network, which she co-founded
in 1998.

Susan was nominated for the honor by Senator Thomas K. Duane, who wrote
then in recognition of her accomplishments and her service:

Susan M. Cohen, an affordable housing and breast cancer activist, legal
services lawyer and advocate for the poor and disadvantaged, has been,
for many decades, above all else, a teacher. In her roles as tenant
attorney and organizer, active member of the local political community
and her UAW local, and co-founder of a statewide breast cancer
organization, she has dedicated her life to helping those who need
support, guidance and self-empowerment.

More than four decades ago, Ms. Cohen, along with legendary tenant
activist Jane Wood and others, helped to co-found the Chelsea Coalition
on Housing. To this day, she continues to volunteer her time and
expertise to the Coalition and the tenants it helps to empower. It
wasn't until the early 1980's, after years of grassroots tenant and
community activism, that she became a lawyer. For more than 25 years she
has represented low-income tenants, first at MFY Legal Services and now
as a Senior Staff Attorney/Community Justice Project Coordinator for
Manhattan Legal Services (MLS).

Her work with poor and disadvantaged communities has extended from
housing justice into healthcare inequalities. Ms. Cohen is currently on
leave from MLS in order to research and write a report about health
inequities for poor and other underserved populations in New York City,
which she hopes will be used as an organizing tool in those
communities. 

In addition, Ms. Cohen, a 16-year breast cancer survivor, is chair of
the New York State Breast Cancer Network. The organization, which she
co-founded in 1998, is composed of 25 groups throughout New York State
with a focus on grass roots, survivor-driven support and education
services for breast cancer survivors.

From health care to legal services to community activism, Susan M. Cohen is truly a contemporary woman of distinction.

Susan also played a leading role in developing the political operation of the Legal Services Staff Association, NOLSW/UAW Local 2320, (formerly District 65/UAW). She served for years as LSSA Political Action Representative and on the UAW New York Regional CAP
Council. Whether at work for her clients, her candidates, or the union, she kept long hours on such an irregular schedule that she earned the sobriquet "Nocturney at Law."

Her friends and colleagues will remember Susan not only for her passion for political and legislative advocacy as a means to achieve change, but for her loyalty, her humor, her indefatigable nature, and her love of travel, especially to frigid climes like the Alaskan glaciers and even Antarctica. She will be deeply missed by many.

Update: On December 27th, WBAI's Housing Notebook, hosted by Scott Sommer, paid tribute to Susan. You can listen to the show by clicking here. Description from the program's website: In the second half of the show, Scott was joined by State Senator Tom
Duane and Roberta Gelb, as they remembered long time Met Council member
and founding member of the Chelsea Coalition on Housing, Susan Cohen,
who died at the age of 69 on December 22, 2010. Susan was a tenant
activist, legal services lawyer, breast cancer survivor and health care
activist. She also pioneered efforts to get progressive attorneys
elected to the bench in New York. Housing Notebook is produced by the
Metropolitan Council on Housing, New York's oldest tenant union.
(www.metcouncil.net)

 Below: Senator Duane presents Susan with the 2010 "Woman of Distinction" Award in May.