Barbara Brenner, who combatively headed the Breast Cancer Action organization, died of ALS May 10, 2013. She was 61.
Brenner graduated from Smith in 1973. After attending but not graduating from Georgetown University Law Center and Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School, she worked for the ACLU in Los Angeles. Later seeing how the law could be used beneficially, she graduated from UC, Berkeley School of Law in 1981. She was a partner in two public-interest law firms.
In 1995, Brenner became Breast Cancer Action’s first executive director, two years after undergoing treatment for the disease. She held this position until 2010, when ALS forced her to retire. Under her leadership, Breast Cancer Action’s membership increased from 3,500 to 50,000 and it focused its demands on research into the causes of breast cancer, especially its link to environmental pollutants. The organization and Brenner earned respect for refusing donations from profit-making entities as well as chemical, drug, oil, and tobacco companies whose activities might cause cancer.
Brenner is survived by her partner of 38 years, Suzanne Lampert *75, and five siblings.
Graduate memorials are prepared by the APGA.