To: The Campus Community
From: Timothy E. Sams, President
RE: The Passing of Former Faculty Member Barbara Ehrenreich
Date: September 3, 2022
Good morning,
I write today to report on the passing on Thursday of Barbara Ehrenreich, an early member of the faculty of SUNY Old Westbury whose work here and, more broadly as a groundbreaking journalist, sought to empower those otherwise not recognized in our society.
Having served as an assistant professor here in the early 1970s alongside her then-husband, Professor Emeritus John Ehrenreich, I am told that her leadership and vision about the interdisciplinary nature of science and its impact on all facets of the human experience remains embedded in many ways in our programs today.
After leaving Old Westbury, she committed herself to writing about what her New York Times obituary described as "the myth of the American dream, the labor market, health care, poverty and women’s rights." As the author of numerous books, she gave voice to the voiceless, but never more so than in her most noted title, "Nickel and Dimed." Published in 2001, this undercover report of the near-impossible challenges faced by low-wage workers in America became a key discussion point in the movement for higher minimum wages and a shift from amassing corporate profits to the investment in the human capital of the country -- an issue our nation continues to grapple with today.
Barbara Ehrenreich was recognized internationally for her work and impact, and the list of her other impactful efforts is simply too long to mention here.
For Professor Emeritus John Ehrenreich, their children, and all other family and friends of Barbara Ehrenreich, I offer on behalf of SUNY Old Westbury our condolences, deepest sympathies, and thanks for a life well lived.
Like so many who have taught and continue to teach on this campus, Barbara Ehrenreich was adamant in her belief in the power of an educated mind, the inherent value we can each contribute to our own lives and the lives of others, and the need for the continued, arduous fight for social justice and equity for all. Those values remain central to a SUNY Old Westbury education and, as its president, I look forward to working with all on campus to continue the fight Barbara Ehrenreich so nobly led.
Thank you.
Tim Sams