Cynthia Laitman: Goodbye and Thank You

Waxing America's friend and colleague Cynthia Laitman died last Friday after a hard-fought battle with brain cancer. From her obituary: "A buoyant and youthful spirit, Cynthia believed that anything was possible...She will always be remembered for her warmth and generosity, her wit and brilliance, her exuberance and unflagging optimism, and her great big heart. She set a rare example of courage combined with compassion that inspired everyone who knew her."  The full obit is here.

Back in 2007, Cynthia was the general behind TeleTruth Wisconsin, which she started to help fight the "Video Competition" bill and to counterbalance AT&T's "TV4US" astroturf efforts.  It was Cynthia who, upon learning that huge books of names of people who were supposed to be in support of the bill were provided legislators by TV4US, spent a day reading the names and was outraged to find her own, Paul Soglin, Ed Garvey,  and several legislators who were opposed to the bill.  The press conference she organized to publicize this fraud was priceless. Cynthia never seemed to listen when she was told it was a losing cause. Her response was always: "Here's what we're going to do next." 

Thirty years ago, Cynthia Laitman wrote the book on the devastating impacts of the widespread use of DES on millions of pregnant women. She was a longtime managing editor of the Annals of Surgery, and, according to family and friends, was always working to "fix the world."  The world is a better place as a result of Cynthia's hard work and spirit, and is a whole lot less fun without her.

- Barry Orton

Comments

[Brad Clark]

Barry,
I was heartbroken to hear of Cynthia's passing. She was a big supporter of Madison City Channel during her time on the City's Broadband Telecommunications Regulatory Board and of course, as you've mentioned, in her role speaking "truth to power" with TeleTruth Wisconsin. She will be greatly missed.

[Katrina]

I heard Cynthia speak and she was inspiring.

[Molly]

Those of us in the DES Community owe alot of the progress we have made to Cynthia's efforts to expose the wrongs that have affected generations of those of us exposed to DES. She was a tireless campaigner. As a member of DES Action USA's Executive Board, I met her eleven years ago in Washington at a DES Action sponsored research conference. It was a privilege to work side by side with her.

She also offered great support when a member of my family was stricken with cancer.

She will be missed - but her legacy lives on.

http://www.desaction.org

[Robert T.]

I just learned of Cynthia's passing today (Nov. 11) nearly 9 months later. I am so sorry to hear about this. I got to know Cynthia through political campaigns and found her to be a joyful, intelligent, energetic, and caring woman. Again, I am so sorry to hear this news belatedly.