Getting Personal
LAANE Honorary Board Member Suzy Marks Finds Inspiration in Local Activism

How did you get involved in economic justice issues?
I was born 70 years ago in Angeles and raised by politically conservative parents. Meeting and marrying Wally Marks 48 years ago is what got me involved in human rights and social justice issues. And Rabbi Leonard Beerman, the founder of Leo Baeck Temple in West Los Angeles, has really had a huge influence on both of us through the ensuing years, raising our consciousness on so many issues.

Do you have a favorite politician or activist?
My heroes are all local. Ironically, it is the failure of our national leadership that has caused so many of us to act locally.is said that California is on the cutting edge of progress. I agree with that. The organizations that I am involved in have electrifying leadership,who think way outside the box and help possibilities become realities.Madeline Janis is such a leader. And so is LAANE’s staff. LAANE is a model organization that has taken the lead in obtaining a living wage for many and expanding this ethic of fairness. The same can be said about the Liberty Hill Foundation. It has helped and inspired L.A.’s grassroots organizations to stand up to poverty and environmental injustice, and then has empowered these organizations to learn the skills necessary to effect change.

In addition to your work with Liberty Hill and
LAANE, what other projects or organizations are
you involved in?
Wally and I are associated with a recently formed organization called NewGround: A Muslim-Jewish Partnership for Change, whose mission is to help bring our two communities closer, foster understanding, dispel myths and get to know ‘the other.’here, once again, it’s the local leadership of Salam Al-Marayati of the Muslim Public Affairs Council and Daniel Sokatch of the Progressive Jewish Alliance—and both of their dedicated staffs—that create this atmosphere for hope and change. Our involvement is inspired by our frequent trips to the West Bank. We’ve hosted many house meetings over the years, and more recently Palestinians and Israelis, who come and speak frequently. Iactive with Leo Baeck Temple, inspired by Rabbi Ken Chasen. I feel privileged to beOverseer of the Los Angeles campus of the Hebrew Union College, and it's with great pride that I serve on the Endowment Fund for the Liberty Hill Foundation.

And while Wally and I join so many activists in our community and work for change,has been our four children, their spouses and our nine grandchildren whous with all the love, awe and energy thatbatteries charged.are wonderful.

What can you tell us about yourself or your background that people might not know?
I’m a jock at heart. I can’t get enough of deep sea fishing—and I catch those fish! If not for my manicured fingernails, I’d be playing baseball 24-7, or I’d be on a motorcycle—except that I flunked the bike maneuvering part of the test!

Four years ago, I participated in the 600-mile California AIDS Ride. I was 66 years old then, and it turned out that I was the oldest woman among the 1,000 riders that year. I was always last to finish each day, but I rode every single mile, 10 to 11 hours a day, for those 7 days. I rode at my own pace. I was old enough to know I didn’t need to show off, but just to show up (others were dropping by the wayside).  It was like the tortoise and the hare, which is so much like activism. When it was all over, we had a parade in West Hollywood and all these young riders came up to me, saying, "Hey #2627, seeing you out there every day gave me the courage to go all the way."