Lynn Straus, a former member of the ZERO TO THREE Board of Directors and Treasurer, passed away at her home in Mamaroneck, NY on January 28. She was 97 years old. Lynn began her career and lifelong passion for early childhood learning as a classroom teacher. It was that experience, and that of being a mother, that made Lynn realize that many children needed early education opportunities.
In 1965 Lynn wrote and secured a federal grant to create an innovative preschool program that became a model for Head Start. She went on to develop child care programs focused on the earliest years, as well as “drop-in” care centers. Her lifelong passion and advocacy for young children informed Lynn’s life and work as a teacher, Program Director, Educational Consultant, Training Specialist, Board Member and Philanthropist.
Lynn was an active member of ZERO TO THREE’s Board and helped lead efforts to embed developmental specialists into two pediatric settings in the Washington, DC area. That work was the forerunner of, and laid the foundation for, ZERO TO THREE’s HealthySteps program.
“Lynn Straus was ahead of her time and left many organizations – including ZERO TO THREE – better because of her involvement,” said Matthew Melmed, Executive Director. “By applying new knowledge, designing innovative programming, and pushing the envelope of the possible for at-risk infants, toddlers, and young children, Lynn Straus was a true Baby Champion. She will be sorely missed but fondly remembered. May her memory be a blessing.”
