Amal nee Judy Amal Ardito:  

Life Hi EOCH and other school alumni, I just renewed with Classmates, October 2005. In 2002, I went back to college for the first time in 28 years, hoping to earn a PhD by my 60th birthday, as a present to myself. I'm now a junior at Florida International University, majoring in Journalism. When time permits, I'd like to bring art and writing lessons into institutions, e.g. jails, drug rehabs, battered women's shelters, in short, anywhere where people are stuck. I believe art, especially color, can enliven a traumatized mind/spirit in a powerful way. I've lived in Florida since right before Hurricane Andrew, in '92. I love the sunshine; I'm inspired by the light and intense colors to paint tropical landscapes. I co-founded, with 5 other women, Women of Miami Beach (WOMB),a non-profit which lasted until 1998. Also I've been in the County Domestic Violence Colalition, was on the Advisory Board to the local Battered Women's Shelter, and have done housing organizing. I have been retired from the workforce since '86, due to a 33-year-old neck injury. However, I have played piano in Miami Beach and have taken care of 2 elders. I sing and play guitar for fun. Before coming to Florida, I lived at the Jersey Shore for 6 years, was active in that local music scene and in environmental causes. One of my big thrills was jamming with Pete Seeger. I sang backup for Otis Blackwell,who wrote many rock classics, e. g. for Elvis. Before moving down the shore in '85, I lived in Orange for 11 years; I was a Housing Advocate, a reluctant realtor, a phone installer, a UPS Christmas temp, and was married from '77to '79, until my husband died from complications of kidney disease. I left New Jersey after high school and went to Syracuse University, got very involved in anti-war politics, feminism, labor organizing and anything else that restores people's...Expand for more