U.S (VOCAL NEW YORK) : Mourning VOCAL-NY Board Member, Linda BEAL, 1960-2023.

 

 

 

Dear VOCAL-NY Community, It is with deep sorrow that we share news of the life transition of one of our very own, Ms. Linda Beal, Board Member of VOCAL-NY. Linda, who often shared stories of becoming familiar with the organization during its days as NYCAHN, formerly joined in 2010. She was a founding member of our Westchester chapter, as well as a member of our Positive Leaders Union and Homelessness Union. As a committed leader and activist in the fight for ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Linda fought to expand HIV housing access, such as HASA especially for people living outside of NYC. In 2022, she penned this Op-Ed calling on the expansion of statewide HIV housing and it's importance : If we want to end the AIDS epidemic, NY must invest in statewide HIV housing (lohud.com) After relocating from the five boroughs of NYC to Westchester, Linda remained active in the community, becoming engaged in local efforts and working tirelessly to build out the VOCAL-NY community in the Hudson Valley north. She remained actively involved as a member of the New York HIV Planning Council. In 2022, we had the distinct pleasure of honoring Linda as the recipient of the 2022 Bob Kohler Award at our annual gala. Bob was our organization’s earliest and most ardent supporter, spending almost every night for 2 years monitoring the conditions of HIV positive New Yorkers to ensure they were not left homeless. Much like Bob, Linda embodied the love, compassion and determination of ensuring those that lived with HIV had a fighting chance at living a quality life. That starts with the fight for housing and knowing it is a human right for all, a principle Linda truly believed in. In addition, Ms. Linda Beal played an active role in multiple VOCAL-NY campaigns, including HALT Solitary, Marijuana Legalization, Rest of State AIDS Housing, Syringe Decriminalization, Elder Parole, and Fair and Timely Parole. Linda will always show up and be there to say, “What about Westchester ?” – never allowing her community was not left behind. We thank you Linda, for your dedication to changing New York State for future generations, your work and memory will not be left behind. Rest In Power !  The VOCAL-NY family.

VOCAL-NY PO Box 170374 Brooklyn, NY 11217-1908 info@vocal-ny.org | 718-802-9540