Ellin grew up in Brooklyn, New York and received her undergraduate degree from Harvard and her MD from Boston University. She became the Head of the Division of Kidney Disease at Los Angeles Children’s Hospital in 1970, retiring in 1998. She also started a postgraduate program in St. Petersburg, Russia to expand training and clinical care focused on kidney disease.
Busier Than Ever in Retirement
After she “retired,” Ellin Lieberman became a community leader. She knew that an active community breeds a healthy democracy, and a strong democracy enhances the opportunities for all, especially for individuals living in underserved areas. In early 2007, Ellin became an enthusiastic and committed supporter of the Barack Obama campaign. She and her husband Harry walked and traveled thousands of miles for the campaign. The President formally acknowledged them at his April 2009 Los Angeles visit.
The Lierbermans also hosted hundreds of events at their home to raise money for Hurricane Katrina victims; interdenominational sessions to increase understanding and tolerance; book clubs; candidate forums; and Organizing for America educational sessions. The Ellin Lieberman endowed scholarship will perpetually honor Ellin’s leadership by action and recognize those who share her vision and commitment to community.
“The life of Ellin has taught me to Love without discrimination, help without expectation of a return, live with a passion for change, and succeed by upholding the standards of strong morality and character. I am honored to be the first recipient of the Ellin Lieberman Scholarship and carry on the civic leadership, community service, and moral standards that Mrs. Lieberman so gracefully demonstrated.” ~ Chloe Lloyd, first recipient of the Ellin Lieberman Scholarship, Student, Chapman University, on the occasion of Ellin’s memorial service March 4, 2012.
Scholarship Fund Impact
Through this scholarship fund, PCF has been able to
- Provide sustained funding for scholarship programs for students throughout Greater Pasadena.
- Expand equitable educational pathways
- Empower educational organizations to expand their services and reach more students in need.
- Support flexibility
- Allows PCF to direct resources when and where they are needed most, respond quickly to emerging needs, and fill funding gaps that restricted gifts can’t cover.
Contact Us
For more information about PCF giving opportunities, please contact
Pasadena Community Foundation
301 E. Colorado Blvd., Suite 810
Pasadena, CA., 91101
626.796.2097
pcfstaff@pasadenacf.org
