June 21, 2005

TRIBUTE: BRENDA PILLORS, PhD

Housing Works AIDS Issues Update is deeply saddened to report the June 12 passing of Brenda Pillors, PhD, longtime chief of staff to New York Congressman Edolphus "Ed" Towns (D-Brooklyn) and a good friend to the AIDS community. A native of Los Angeles, Ms. Pillors had worked for Congressman Towns since his 1982 election and previously served as legislative director to former Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm (D-Brooklyn). Ms. Pillors died of an asthma attack.

AIDS advocates recall "an especially warm woman, always ready to hear our concerns."

"There are no words to express the loss that all of us who were touched by Brenda are feeling today," Congressman Towns said in a statement last Monday, a day after Pillors' death. "She was truly an incredible person whose generosity and care for others knew no bounds. A dedicated public servant, she lived her life committed to improving the lives of others. She did this through many quiet, unknown acts in her personal life as well as through her sterling career as a congressional staffer."

The CAEAR Coalition, which advocates for the Ryan White CARE Act, sent Towns' office a letter last week offering its condolences. "Brenda was a key ally in our efforts to shore up congressional support for the Ryan White CARE Act," read the letter, "and we know that her absence will be keenly felt in the months and years ahead. Our New York City members fondly recall an especially warm woman who was always ready to hear the community's concerns and do whatever she could to help us in our efforts."

Housing Works federal advocacy director and CAEAR Coalition member Robert Cordero said, "Brenda's legacy as a key senior staffer who championed people living with AIDS and HIV in Brooklyn and around the country will be remembered. She will be sorely missed."

The Housing Works AIDS Issues Update is reported, written and edited by Diana Scholl, David Thorpe, Phil Fox Rose, Christine Campbell, terri smith-caronia and Housing Works staff. Send your feedback, leads and story ideas to d.scholl@housingworks.org.

You can reach us by phone at 212-967-1500 x168, by fax at 212-868-4222, and by email at d.scholl@housingworks.org. Housing Works provides housing, advocacy and services to homeless people living with AIDS and HIV. Housing Works is the nation's largest community-based AIDS organization and the nation's largest minority-controlled AIDS organization.

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