To mark International Women’s Day – and to acknowledge March as Women’s History Month and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month – we chose to recognize a woman who qualifies for all three celebrations: the Founder and first Executive Director of Camp Venture, Kathy Lukens. We hope you enjoy this video entitled “Kathy Lukens: In Her Own Words.”
Kathy was born into advocacy. Her father was a labor organizer, and she would often join him in demonstrations for workers’ rights She was also active in the civil rights and anti-nuclear movements. When one of her five children was born with a developmental disability, she became keenly aware of the absence of supports and services for children with developmental/intellectual disabilities. As a result, she spearheaded a movement for advocacy for people with developmental disabilities in Rockland County.
It’s been over 50 years since Kathy Lukens founded Camp Venture, and our organization continues Kathy’s mission of providing a life full of options and joy for people of all ages with I/DD in our community.
