Inside E-LAW: Martha Remembered, Harvard Law, Corporate Challenge

Martha Remembered

Martha (left) with Carolyn Sykora, former E-LAW U.S. Development Director

E-LAW`s "grandma," Martha Russell, passed away October 12, 2002. She was 85. Martha was a tremendous friend and supporter of E-LAW and E-LAW U.S. recognized her with a Local Hero Award in 1999. On that occasion, E-LAW U.S. Associate Director Lori Maddox said:

"Martha is a friend of E-LAW U.S. who helps sustain us in several ways. First and foremost, she is an inspiration. She is flawlessly dedicated to leaving a better world behind than the one she was born into. She educates us, and inspires us to act.

She makes our babies warm, welcome, and comfortable with homemade blankets. She makes our dogs feel human. She entertains our visitors and gives them a taste of Eugene`s special brand of culture. She feeds us figs and strawberries from her garden. She keeps us, and our legislators, on our toes.

Her generosity is astounding, and productive. She is a solid activist and a good friend."

Harvard Law

Executive Director Bern Johnson traveled to Cambridge, Massachusetts, in November to speak to Harvard Law School students as part of Harvard`s "World of Law" speakers series. He described his experience as the first staff attorney at E-LAW U.S. (1991 to 1993) and his current work as Executive Director. He urged students to pursue work that advances causes they care deeply about, such as protecting the environment through law.

Bern graduated from Harvard Law School in 1987. Harvard Law School awarded him a Wasserstein Fellowship in 1994 in recognition of "his outstanding contribution and dedication to public interest law." During his Wasserstein Fellowship, Bern met Alex Hanafi, a Harvard Law School student interested in defending the public interest. Alex joined E-LAW U.S. as a staff attorney in 2001.

E-LAW Wins Commute Challenge

E-LAW U.S. participated in the City of Eugene`s Commute Challenge, and won an award from Eugene for achieving 100% participation. On October 9, the City asked people working in Eugene to use alternatives to driving to work alone.

Corporate Challenge for a Sustainable Future

E-LAW U.S. is looking for businesses that have demonstrated a commitment to sustainability, and have put that commitment to work. On November 7, E-LAW U.S. launched its Corporate Challenge for a Sustainable Future campaign at the University of Oregon`s sixth annual Sustainable Business Symposium. E-LAW U.S. was a co-sponsor of the Symposium.

The Corporate Challenge campaign is supported in part through a generous challenge grant from the AVINA Foundation. AVINA will match the first $50,000 that E-LAW U.S. raises from private businesses over the next year. The AVINA Foundation was founded by Swiss entrepreneur Stephan Schmidheiny, who has invested a significant portion of his personal fortune into the Foundation to promote sustainable development in Spain and Latin America. Stephan Schmidheiny was an early voice for sustainable development and founded the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. Serena Cosgrove of the AVINA Foundation spoke at E-LAW`s reception on the opening night of the Sustainable Business Symposium.

E-LAW U.S. thanks Howard Ingber Construction Company, Eugene Springfield Nephrology Associates, and Blitzen Ventures for becoming the first corporate partners in its campaign to build a sustainable future around the world. We are also grateful to King Estate Winery, Cafe Soriah, and Sundance Natural Foods for their generous contribution to our reception. And many thanks to Jason Halstead of View Design for his creative work.

To find out more about this campaign or how to become a Corporate Challenge Partner please contact Shauna Whidden, E-LAW U.S. Development Director

Giving is Good

Good for the heart and good for the earth.

E-LAW U.S. provides high impact services to our partners around the world at low cost. Our Rapid Response Network works, and your help makes it possible!

We encourage you to be part of the solution and give to E-LAW U.S. Please return the enclosed pledge form with your gift today.

For those of you who have already made the choice to support E-LAW U.S., we thank you!

To find out more about giving to E-LAW U.S., contact Shauna Whidden, our Development Director: telephone 541-687-8454, shauna@elaw.org