In Memory of Stanley Holbrook
Stanley Holbrook, a national leader in the independent living movement, passed away on Thursday, December 17, 2020. Holbrook was a tireless advocate for disability rights and racial justice. He served on the Board of the National Council on Independent Living for 14 years, including serving as the Diversity Chair and being instrumental in the development of NCIL’s diversity initiatives.
Sarah Launderville, NCIL President and long-time friend of Stan, said: “Stan was a man of honor. He gave of himself to make our movement stronger and was a trailblazer. He will be missed deeply.” Kelly Buckland, NCIL’s Executive Director, said: “Stan was an incredible leader and just a wonderful human being! Our movement and our society are greatly diminished by his passing.” Tim Fuchs of NCIL wrote, “Stan will be missed dearly, but his memory will unquestionably live on. And, as a previous Board Member and leader in the Independent Living movement, Stan’s picture will be added to the Wall of Fame in the NCIL office. It was an honor to know him.”
We would like to express our deepest condolences to Stan’s family and friends during this difficult time.
Michelle of Pittsburgh, wife and best friend of Stan, said: “Stan believed in and practiced servant leadership daily. A man of strong faith, yet gentle and compassionate, he valued people. After spending enough time with him, he could recognize gifts and talents in others that individuals were just not aware of. A gift exercised and unbeknownst to others, he engaged and encouraged those around him to take a chance and move forward regardless of the circumstances. His mantra was to always give one-hundred fifty percent in anything he was called upon to do. Whether cooking holiday dinners for consumers, presenting at conferences, providing instructive feedback during meetings, developing strategic plans, or guiding others, he dedicated himself to excellence in each area of his life. Stan, a living example of servant leadership will be deeply missed.”
During 2020, Holbrook was supporting centers for independent living assisting youth with disabilities from minority backgrounds. This work was part of the MY CIL project conducted by Hunter College, the Center for the Disabled of New York (CIDNY), Mathematica and ILRU. He operated S. A. Holbrook and Associates, a management consulting firm offering organizational development, diversity and inclusion training, strategic planning, and capacity building training. He previously served as President and CEO of Three Rivers CIL in Pittsburgh, Vice Chair of the Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council, and President of the Pennsylvania Council for Independent Living (PCIL). He also served on the board for the American Society of Aging, was a representative for the Network of Multicultural Agencies (NOMA), and served as a delegate for the White House Conference on Aging. Holbrook trained and presented widely on the intersection of race and disability, including several trainings with ILRU’s Disability, Diversity and Intersectionality program, NCIL, the IL-NET, and a disability-oriented “Civil Rights in America” event at the White House.
Stan’s efforts paved the way for the racial justice and equity work underway in our movement today, and he has continued to both lead the way and mentor the leaders coming up behind him. Stan dedicated his life to making our movement better. The Independent Living community has lost an incredible friend, mentor, and advocate.