Susan Kendall Newman

Susan Kendall Newman, a lifelong philanthropist and social activist devoted to civil rights, conservation education, and anti-war and nuclear disarmament efforts, passed away on August 2 from complications from chronic health conditions. She was 72.

Ms. Newman began her career in the arts, appearing in productions on and off Broadway as well as in several feature films, including a starring role in the Spielberg/Zemeckis film I Wanna Hold Your Hand. She later distinguished herself as a television producer, excelling in the adaptation of classical stage plays for the then-emerging cable television industry. Her work included the ABC Theatre presentation of Michael Cristofer's Pulitzer Prize-winning The Shadow Box. These productions earned her a Golden Globe, a Humanitas Award, and nominations for the Emmy, Peabody, and Grammy Awards.

Her commitment to social causes deepened in 1980 when she joined the Scott Newman Foundation. She served in multiple leadership roles, eventually becoming Executive Director. In that role, she received recognition from the San Francisco City Council, former First Ladies Betty Ford and Nancy Reagan, the governors of Kentucky, Iowa, and Utah, as well as the California Peer Counseling Association and the Odyssey Foundation's Benefactor's Award.

As a respected drug abuse prevention expert, Ms. Newman testified before Congress, the Attorney General's Commission, and other federal agencies. She was a frequent speaker at the Betty Ford Center and the Annenberg Complex and addressed audiences at universities, hospitals, community groups, and government bodies across the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Mexico. She also advised the California Department of Education on progressive classroom programs addressing media influence on substance use.

During her tenure with the foundation, she oversaw the creation of a wide range of educational resources, including the video Drug-Free Kids: A Parent's Guide, which helped parents recognize and address substance abuse. She was especially proud of a groundbreaking program in several states that invited 10th-grade students to create their own anti-drug television commercials. Instructional materials guided students through research, storyboarding, and production, with winning entries professionally produced and broadcast nationally.

Ms. Newman went on to serve as president of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, where she worked to modernize its operations and expand its reach. She later founded Newman Consulting Company, providing expertise to government agencies, corporations, and nonprofits in developing prevention programs, outreach efforts, and fundraising strategies.

Her creative work continued as well. She produced a family-friendly audiobook series of classical literature for Simon & Schuster, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Spoken Word Album for Children. True to her philanthropic spirit, she ensured that a portion of proceeds supported family literacy initiatives and helped develop accompanying educational guides.

In later years, Ms. Newman focused her advocacy on education, juvenile justice, conservation, and healthcare. She collaborated with the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and VoteRiders on election protection efforts, supported environmental preservation in Big Sur, and partnered with Oregon Health & Science University to fund melanoma prevention campaigns and leukemia research.

She was instrumental in shaping the philanthropic strategies of a private foundation and took pride in helping identify impactful grassroots organizations, support at-risk communities often overlooked by mainstream philanthropy, and develop innovative approaches to disaster relief through local endowments.

Susan Kendall Newman will be remembered for her sharp wit and tongue, generosity and love, and her devotion to family and friends. She will be very much missed.