by Joseph RADDER
Neither grass grows nor snow melts under Bernadette Hoppes 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 shes not tied up with
those duties, shes editing and publishing her magazine, a magazine geared to
women in Western New York. Thats, of course, when shes 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
Womens Studies, then continued on to obtain a Masters degree in the field of
Womens 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 womens 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, theres sewing, jewelry crafting, and
organizing an annual womens arts and music festival called Womens
Gifts, showcasing local woman artisans.
Joseph Radder is a freelance writer.