by Joseph RADDER
Neither grass grows nor snow melts under Bernadette Hoppe’s feet. Her work at Buffalo
Perinatal Network gets low-income women and children plugged into state subsidized
insurance programs, a monumental task to reach as many as possible. In between, though,
Bernadette serves on the Board of Directors for the Northwest Buffalo Community Health
Center, Buffalo Neighborhood Network and A Squeaky Wheel. When she’s not tied up with
those duties, she’s editing and publishing her magazine, a magazine geared to
women in Western New York. That’s, of course, when she’s not producing and
hosting “Focus on Women,” a public access TV show.
A native of Poughkeepsie, Bernadette attended UB, receiving a BA in Psychology and
Women’s Studies, then continued on to obtain a Masters degree in the field of
Women’s Studies. All this knowledge returns to the UB classroom, where she teaches
courses in the program, and occasionally at SUNY Brockport, as well. Not content just to
attend classes, she joined the US Army Reserves, serving for 4 years.
“My experience is in women’s health, marketing and education to traditionally
underserved populations,” writes Bernadette. “I love working in non-profit
health care and working to ensure that all people have access to it.” Further to her
credit in the field, Bernadette works with the Lesbian Health Care Project and Elder
Action in Gay and Lesbian Environments.
So what does she do on her days off? Well, there’s sewing, jewelry crafting, and
organizing an annual women’s arts and music festival called “Women’s
Gifts,” showcasing local woman artisans.
Joseph Radder is a freelance writer.