FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT:
Monday, March 19, 2007 Ellen K. Wheeler
Director of Development & Public Relations
(585) 279-7490, ext. 12
Susan B. Anthony House Announces Leadership Change
Executive Director Patrice Sampson-Bouchard to Step Down;
Deborah F. Lattime Named Interim Director
Rochester, N.Y.—The Susan B. Anthony House today announced that Patrice Sampson-Bouchard will step down as executive director effective March 31 and that Deborah F. Lattime, currently development officer for the House, will serve as interim director while a search committee seeks a permanent director.
In making the announcement, Linda Gillim, chair of the House’s Board of Trustees, said, “This is an extremely exciting time for the Susan B. Anthony House, having begun and made significant progress on the highly anticipated interior restoration of the House and recently adopted a new strategic vision that sets the direction for the organization to move into continued growth in the coming years.”
“We are very appreciative of Patrice’s leadership during a period of transition for the House and are eager to welcome a new director to continue the many programs and initiatives that have begun under Patrice’s guidance,” Gillim said.
Gillim pointed to a number of achievements since 2005:
• Completion of restoration of Miss Anthony’s bedroom and front parlor, with significant progress on four other rooms in her home.
• Approval by the State Historic Preservation Office for a landscape rehabilitation project.
• The launch of new inspiration programs, Inspiration Express, for girls ages 9-18 in partnership with the Girl Scouts of the Genesee Valley, and Inspiring Seniors for older adults.
• Growth in government and foundation support for the House’s activities, including grants from the New York Senate through the efforts of James Alesi and Joseph Robach, and support for the House’s inspiration programs from various Rochester foundations and corporations.
• An expanded corps of volunteers to assist with finance, marketing, and programming.
• Successful annual birthday celebrations attended by over 1,000 people each year, featuring nationally-acclaimed speakers Doris Kearns Goodwin (2006) and Judy Woodruff (2007).
Sampson-Bouchard, who became executive director of the House in December, 2005, will be joining a national financial-services organization as a consultant and producer. Deborah Lattime has extensive background in not-for-profit management, both as board and staff member. She has held numerous leadership positions during the past 25 years in organizations including the Episcopal SeniorLife Communities, Garth Fagan Dance, and Opera Theatre of Rochester. She currently serves on the board of the Mary Cariola Children’s Center and Friends of Eastman Opera.
A search committee has been formed and is chaired by long-time trustee Tom Argust. Mr. Argust recently retired as Rochester’s Commissioner of Community Development and has served on the boards of many local civic organizations.
The Susan B. Anthony House is a National Historic Landmark that is part of a campus of 4 buildings located in an historic district of Rochester, NY. It is a learning center where Miss Anthony’s life and work, championing the cause of women’s rights, is shared and interpreted with thousands of visitors each year. Its programs inspire and challenge individuals to effect positive change in their lives and communities.
The Susan B. Anthony House is supported primarily through the contributions of its members. The Susan B. Anthony House is not affiliated with other organizations bearing her name.